Sectoral and international diversities in the perception of bank financing: evidence from Slovak and Czech SMEs

Abstract

Banks’ approaches in SMEs financing, being aware of loan conditions and transparency of credit terms are significant facts to improve ability of SMEs to manage their financial and credit risks and to reduce obstacles in their bank credit access. In this context, the research not only aims to compare different sectors in country level but also purposes to make comparison between countries that SMEs’ operate in same sector, regarding their perceptions of these facts. 972 Slovakian and Czech SMEs are analysed by Chi-square and Z score statistics to find the differences between selected groups and individual responses. The results of the research confirm that more trade firms positively perceive the selected facts than service firms in Slovakia, however, aspects of Czech service and trade firms do not differ. Moreover, Slovakian trade firms are more agree that they have knowledge about loan conditions than Czech trade firms do. On the other hand, more Slovakian firms negatively perceive banks’ approach to them than Czech SMEs. Regarding to entrepreneurs’ knowledge about lending terms, no significant differences exists between the Czech and Slovakian service firms. Furthermore, loan conditions are not transparent for more Slovakian service firms than Czech service firms.