Entrepreneurs criticize banks over credit policy

The Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE) has identified serious irregularities in the functioning of the banking system in Greece, noting that, in addition to charging high interest rates, Greek banks are not fulfilling their essential role, that of granting loans.

According to the most recent data from the European Investment Fund, "The European Small Business Finance Outlook (ESBFO) 2023", Greek businesses are in last place in terms of access to financing. Furthermore, any access to financing is particularly costly, slowing down the transformation of commercial businesses, as after the decade-long crisis of the Greek economy, the criteria for providing loans have been tightened to a large extent, excluding the vast majority of businesses, which are classified as non-bankable.

In a statement, ESEE President Stavros Kafounis spoke on Thursday...