In many countries, Credit Guarantee Schemes (CGSs) represent a key policy tool to address the
SME financing gap, while limiting the burden on public finances. SMEs and start-ups are typically limited
in their capacity to access credit because of under-collateralisation, limited or no credit history and, often,
lack of expertise needed to produce sophisticated financial statements. The information asymmetry that
exists between the firm and the potential lender implies the latter attributes a high risk of default to the
borrower and, in the absence of adequate collateral, eventually results in a partial or negative response to
the credit demand. The credit guarantee mechanism is a commonly used response to this market failure. By
protecting a part of the requested loan with a guarantee, the CGS reduces the risk of the lender and favours
the provision of financing to viable businesses that are credit constrained.