The ECB's report drafted on the basis of the survey provides information on the financial situation, financing needs and access to financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the euro area, compared with large firms, during the second half of 2009.

While half of the SMEs reported an unchanged need for bank loans, a quarter of them reported an increased need and slightly less than 10% a reduction, compared with the preceding six months.

A large majority (75%) of SMEs reported that they had received either the full amount or a part of the bank loans they had applied for, compared with 77% in the first half of 2009. Bank loan application success remained stable for large firms.

The availability of bank loans to SMEs deteriorated in the second half of 2009. 42% of SMEs reported a deterioration (compared with 43% in the first half), while 10% saw an improvement in the second half (unchanged from the first half). There was a less negative assessment of the availability of bank loans by large firms.

The results of the first half of the year were discussed by CIBP, together with EACB and in partnership with UEAPME, in the 2nd "European Forum Co-operative Banks and SMEs". Now it is possible to follow up on this issue and

The report on the results of the survey for the euro area can be found on the ECB's website: http://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/money/surveys/sme/html/index.en.html.