New Central Bank Regulations for firms lending to SMEs from 2016

On 18 December 2015, the Central Bank published new regulations for firms lending to SMEs, with which regulated lenders (apart from credit unions) must comply from 1 July 2016.  Credit Unions must comply with the regulations from 1 January 2017.

The aim of the regulations is to to strengthen protections for SMEs, while also facilitating access to credit, by introducing specific requirements that regulated lenders must comply with.

The regulations introduce specific requirements for regulated lenders, including:

• Giving SME borrowers greater transparency around the application process;
• Providing SME borrowers with reasons for declining credit, in writing, that are specific to their application;
• Providing greater protections for guarantors;
• Contacting SME borrowers who have been in arrears for 15 working days;
• Warning SME borrowers if they are in danger of being classified as not co-operating; and
• Expanding the grounds for appeal and setting up an internal appeals panel.

The regulations require firms to contact borrowers who are in arrears for 15 working days, in order to identify the reason why. This will enable firms to assess whether the SME borrower’s circumstances are such that the requirements placed on firms for dealing with borrowers in financial difficulties should apply to that borrower.

In addition, under the regulations, borrowers will be entitled to an internal appeal of a decision made by a firm. Firms will be required to have an internal Appeals Panel for this purpose. SME borrowers in danger of being classified as not co-operating must be provided with a warning.

More information on the SME Regulations are available here

Source:  www.centralbank.ie