India, Poland and Denmark are among the countries where the companies feel that they have good access to financing and support from their lenders.
61 percent out of the 7200 interviewed companies in 36 countries expect that their access to financing will be less in 2009, but 69 percent state that their business lenders currently are supportive or very supportive- even during these difficult times.
In Sweden, 66 percent expect to have less access to financing than before, but 71 percent think that the lenders are accommodating. The future is not as bright, however, for companies in certain countries. The situation in Belgium, Thailand, France and Argentina is difficult and these countries have also been among the most pessimistic in regards to other parameters in the investigation.
Private firms in the most mature economies like the U.S., Japan, New Zealand and Britain feel that they have their lenders' support, but believe it will be difficult to borrow money.
- The results give a fascinating insight into how private companies
perceive their lenders in different parts of the world during this economic crisis. Of course, we see the same various economic, political and cultural characteristics of each market, but also the lenders' customer relationships and confidence in their own domestic economy, says Peter Bodin (picture), CEO at Grant Thornton.
The investigation has been made during October-November 2008 with 7200 business managers in privately owned companies in 36 countries. In Sweden, 400 medium-sized companies between 50-500 employees have been interviewed. This study was conducted by Experian Business Strategies Limited.
The investigation started originally in 1992, then with a European focus, but since 2003 it has been worldwide.
Tony Harkén