This year, small businesses are expected to face challenging management conditions.
IBK Bank announced the results of its '2026 Small Business Financial Condition Survey' on July 29.
The survey targeted 4,500 small businesses with sales exceeding 500 million won to assess their funding, management conditions, and future economic outlook.
The results revealed that 33.0% of small businesses reported a 'poor' management situation last year, significantly outpacing the 18.0% who felt it had improved. Looking ahead to the second half of this year, 72.8% expect conditions to remain 'the same' as the previous year. Notably, the proportion of businesses anticipating a 'poor' outlook for next year rose to 25.7%, an increase of 10.9 percentage points from this year's 14.8%, indicating growing concerns about deteriorating management conditions.
Last year, the percentage of businesses reporting 'smooth' external funding conditions decreased by 5.3 percentage points compared to the previous year, highlighting a worsening funding environment. While the collection of sales proceeds has been delayed, the payment deadlines for purchases have shortened, increasing the working capital burden on small businesses. There are concerns that this pressure on working capital could lead to a rise in delinquency rates in the second half of the year.
An IBK Bank official stated, "Due to domestic and international uncertainties, the management difficulties for small businesses are expected to persist for the time being," and emphasized the bank's commitment to actively support tailored financial and non-financial services.
IBK Bank announced the results of its '2026 Small Business Financial Condition Survey' on July 29.
The survey targeted 4,500 small businesses with sales exceeding 500 million won to assess their funding, management conditions, and future economic outlook.
The results revealed that 33.0% of small businesses reported a 'poor' management situation last year, significantly outpacing the 18.0% who felt it had improved. Looking ahead to the second half of this year, 72.8% expect conditions to remain 'the same' as the previous year. Notably, the proportion of businesses anticipating a 'poor' outlook for next year rose to 25.7%, an increase of 10.9 percentage points from this year's 14.8%, indicating growing concerns about deteriorating management conditions.
Last year, the percentage of businesses reporting 'smooth' external funding conditions decreased by 5.3 percentage points compared to the previous year, highlighting a worsening funding environment. While the collection of sales proceeds has been delayed, the payment deadlines for purchases have shortened, increasing the working capital burden on small businesses. There are concerns that this pressure on working capital could lead to a rise in delinquency rates in the second half of the year.
An IBK Bank official stated, "Due to domestic and international uncertainties, the management difficulties for small businesses are expected to persist for the time being," and emphasized the bank's commitment to actively support tailored financial and non-financial services.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.