Research Report: July 29th, 2024
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A Survey of Small and Medium Business Owners, Executives, and Financial Officers on the Current Use of Various Financing Methods and Future Intentions for Utilization
The main challenges in the expansion of embedded financial services and the characteristics of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that are highly compatible with these services have been explored. A survey on the "Prospects for Embedded Finance (Lending Services) for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs)" was conducted with business owners, executives, and financial officers of SMBs nationwide.
The number of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Japan is approximately 3.36 million, accounting for 99.7% of all businesses in the country*1.
In terms of added value, they also represent 56% of the total (about 140 trillion yen)
Recently, various B2B services targeting these SMBs have been developed, including in the area of SMB lending services.*2.
To better understand the trends, we conducted a survey to monitor not only the usage of traditional loans through financial institutions but also the utilization and future intentions regarding various online lending services.
*1: (Source) "2024 Edition of the 'Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise White Paper'" (Small and Medium Enterprise Agency)
*2: The list of financing methods includes not only lending services but also payment advance services. Both are aimed at improving cash flow for small and medium-sized businesses. Please note that these services are included in the scope of this survey.
Summary of the "Prospects for Embedded Finance (Lending Services) for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs)" Survey
Lending services for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are still primarily centered around traditional loans through financial institutions. However, we have confirmed that there is an increasing demand for fully online lending services, particularly among relatively newer businesses.
Additionally, when examining the characteristics of businesses with a strong intention to use fully online lending services, we found that smaller loans tend to be handled through simple, online-only services, while relatively larger loans, such as those for working capital with specific purposes, are typically obtained through traditional loans.
Furthermore, focusing specifically on embedded finance, which is a type of fully online lending service, we confirmed that its usage rate is still low due to limited recognition. However, we also found that relatively younger companies, which are advancing digital transformation (DX) in non-financial areas, are more likely to become users of embedded finance in the future.
Please note the "Prospects for Embedded Finance (Lending Services) for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs)" report is available only in the Japanese language.
1.中小企業向けアンケート結果
1-1.アンケート結果対象者
1-2.融資サービス別の利用経験
1-3.年商別の融資サービス利用経験
1-4.融資サービス別の利用ニーズ・利用意向
1-5.オンライン完結型融資サービスの利用意向企業の特徴
1-6.融資サービス別の利用金額・利用目的
1-7.利用目的別の融資金額
1-8.融資サービス別のデメリット・メリット・選定方法
1-9.組み込み型金融サービスの利用状況・利用意向企業の特徴
1-10.非金融サービスの利用状況
2.決済関連企業向けヒアリング結果
2-1.市場動向の認識
2-2.戦略的優先度
2-3.参入方法
2-4.検討・着目するサービス
2-5.参入に向けた課題
3.アジア市場リサーチ
3-1.各国の市場（ベトナム・韓国・インドネシア・フィリピン・インド・マレーシア・オーストラリア・シンガポール）
3-2.中国における融資市場
＜調査概要＞
調査目的：企業の融資サービスのニーズなどの情報収集
調査手段：インターネットを利用したアンケート配信
調査内容：中小企業の融資サービスの利用状況および意向
調査問題：30問（シングルアンサー＆マルチアンサー）
調査時期：2024年3月
実施対象：従業員数300名未満の中小企業
調査主体：Atlas Technologies株式会社
＜監修者＞
Atlas Technologies株式会社
ビジネスコンサルティング事業部
執行役員パートナー
前田 裕弘（まえだ やすひろ）
ビジネスコンサルティング事業部
シニアディレクター
藤巻 契介（ふじまき けいすけ）