Introduction

In light of the importance of SMEs to the Hong Kong economy and concerns about potential funding difficulties facing SMEs over the past few years, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has appointed the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to carry out this survey, starting from the third quarter of 2016. The results of this survey can help monitor the development of SMEs' access to bank credit from the demand-side perspective.

The survey collected data from around 2,500 SMEs, based on publicly available SME directories and a database from HKSAR Census and Statistics Department. The sample is stratified by the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) version 2.0, and based on the number of SME establishments in Hong Kong.

Latest Statistics
(Updated 4 November 2024)

(1) Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
(2) Excluding respondents who answered “no idea / don’t know”.
(3) Covering only respondents with existing credit lines.
(4) Covering only respondents who had already known their new bank credit application outcomes.

Press Release

The survey is conducted quarterly starting from 2016Q3, with the results being announced after the completion of 2017 surveys.

Tables & Charts

1. Comparison of perceived banks' credit approval stance relative to 6 months ago 2016Q3-2024Q3

2. Change in banks' stance on existing credit lines 2016Q3-2024Q3

3. Results of new bank credit applications 2016Q3-2024Q3

Concepts and methodology

The survey gathers views on access to bank credit from the senior management of around 2,500 SMEs from different sectors in Hong Kong, including manufacturing, import/export trade and wholesale, retail trade, accommodation and food services, transportation, storage, postal and courier services, information and communications, finance and insurance, real estate, professional services and scientific activities, social & personal services and others sectors.

The samples were stratified by sector. Quota control was imposed such that the number of samples in each stratum is proportional to the number of establishments in the population. Adjustments were made to ensure that there were no less than 80 samples in each stratum.

To classify SMEs, the definition stated in Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs, HKSAR Trade and Industry Department was adopted. Manufacturing establishments with fewer than 100 employees; and non-manufacturing establishments with fewer than 50 employees, are regarded as SMEs in Hong Kong.

Banks, deposit taking companies and other money lending companies were outside the scope of this survey.

The survey solicits views from respondents regarding SMEs' perception on banks' credit approval stance relative to 6 months ago, views of SMEs on banks' stance on existing credit lines and results of new bank credit applications. Views collected refer only to respondents’ views on their own establishments rather than views on respective sectors they are engaged in; and are limited to the expected direction of inter-quarter changes (e.g. “tighter”, “no change” or “easier”) without providing information about the magnitude of these changes.

It has to be noted that the views collected in the survey are affected by changes in sentiment due to idiosyncratic events that occurred over the survey period, which can make the results prone to fluctuations. Readers are advised to interpret the results together with other economic and financial information.

Furthermore, owing to small sample sizes of SMEs with existing credit lines and with new credit applications during the quarter, the results could be prone to large fluctuations, and hence should be interpreted with care.

Disclaimer

The content and data in this report is owned by Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Without the authorization of HKMA, any changes to the report content and data, as well as selling of the report, are not permitted. HKMA and Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) shall not have any liability, duty or obligation for or relating to the content and data contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in the content and data, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. In no event shall HKMA or HKPC be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages, arising out of the use of the content and data.

Enquiry

For more details about the Survey, please contact HKPC at tel. (852) 2788 5306.