Kredyt bankowy jako zewnętrzne źródło finansowania dla przedsiębiorstw rozpoczynających działalność gospodarczą

Sector of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is significant in every market economy. Small and medium-sized enterprises are generally considered as an element powering the economy despite the economic slowdown in Poland and turbulences in the economies of Member States of the European Union. Micro-enterprises have the largest share of enterprises belonging to the SME sector – in Poland, they consist of 95.7% of the market (in the European Union – 92.2%). This sector produces a significant portion of GDP and generates numerous workplaces. However, SMEs are often confronted with market imperfections. They have difficulties in obtaining capital or credit, particularly in the start-up phase of the enterprise. Financial resources are their foundation. What is more, they are the basis for the operation of each enterprise. In Poland, there are various possibilities of obtaining financing sources; however, their variety does not imply that all parties have equal access to these resources. Currently, the most important source of funding, in addition to equity capitals, are bank credits. The aim of this paper is to present a credit offer for enterprises beginning an economic activity by selected institutions of the Polish banking sector.