There is no international consensus that loan guarantee schemes are an effective way of
improving SMEs’ access to formal bank loans. They have been criticized for a number of
weaknesses such as moral hazard and adverse selection problems, high administrative costs
due to inadequate procedures and inexperienced/reluctant staff dealing with SME loan
portfolios. There have also been delays in paying claims, which undermine the banks’ trust in
guarantors, and low demand by SME borrowers, as well as banks’ limited outreach. In the
past many of the loan guarantee schemes failed due to mismanagement of the guarantee
funds.