SME Lending Surges in Greece

Business 28 July 2025 13:10

Disbursements of new loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Greece rose by around 16% in the first half of the year, reaching €1.21 billion, according to banking estimates. These loans target businesses with annual revenues up to €2.5 million, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonia

Data from the European Central Bank shows Greece had the second-highest annual credit growth to non-financial corporations in the eurozone in June, at 16.6%—well above the eurozone average of 2.7%. Only Lithuania ranked higher with 19.2%.

Greece also ranked third in overall private sector credit expansion, with an annual rate of 11.1%, compared to the eurozone average of 2.9%.

Banking executives attribute the increase to improved loan assessment procedures and the creation of specialized SME lending departments, signaling a stronger role for banks in supporting economic growth.

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SME Lending Surges in Greece

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