The Fifth Round Table of Banks and SMEs, which is due to commence in May 2006, will cover a wide range of issues regarding SME access to finance. Its aim is to facilitate contact between financial institutions and SMEs. The Round Table, being organised by the European Commission, will discuss practices on SME access to finance in the EU. In particular, it will consider: dialogue between banks and SMEs; the financing of business transfer and mezzanine finance; and SME securitization.

On 3 February 2006 FEE participated in a preparatory meeting with the Commission in advance of the official launch of the Round Table. The technical meeting focused on the issue of transparency and dialogue between banks and SMEs.

For more information contact FEE Project Manager, Chiara Pisano.