Financial sector offers additional support to businesses

Other solutions to support businesses will continue to be possible and will be examined on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the customer. Febelfin encourages anyone facing payment problems to promptly contact their bank to explore tailored structural solutions.

The COVID-19 crisis has placed many businesses in severe financial difficulties. Businesses have made significant sacrifices to protect the population from the coronavirus, demonstrating great social solidarity, which deserves the utmost respect. The financial sector fully recognizes this and will continue to support businesses during this challenging economic storm, providing them with every opportunity to weather this turbulent period.

This commitment goes beyond the possibilities determined by the European Banking Authority and will be outlined in a Third Charter. To qualify for this automatic payment deferral, companies must be considered "healthy." Only such companies are eligible.

Earlier this week, the financial sector pledged to guide all healthy companies with future prospects through the crisis. To reinforce this commitment, the financial sector, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance, has decided to offer additional support to businesses. The financial sector aims to assist businesses with the following extra commitments for the sake of our economic well-being.

Banks will extend the repayment deferral for business loans by three months. This means the payment deferral can run until June 30, rather than ending on March 31, 2021. However, businesses must apply for payment deferral by the end of March. No administrative or dossier fees will be charged by the banks.

Within the framework established by the European Banking Authority, the total payment deferral for a loan cannot exceed 9 months throughout the entire period (since April 2020). For example, a business or individual that has already received an 8-month payment deferral under the terms of the First Charter for payment deferral can receive a maximum of 1 additional month of payment deferral under the terms of the Second Charter for payment deferral. The conditions of the Second Charter for payment deferral that businesses must meet remain unchanged.

All healthy companies, regardless of the sector, that previously received a payment deferral and have reached the maximum 9-month deferral period can now request an additional repayment deferral until June 30, 2021. No administrative or dossier fees will be charged for this. This means a company can receive up to 5 additional months of payment deferral on top of the maximum 9-month period that has already been reached.

This is an unprecedented commitment by the banking sector to give all healthy companies the opportunity to overcome this crisis. Banks aim to play not only an economic but also a societal role during this crisis and are making this commitment in addition to the Second Charter.

This commitment extends beyond the possibilities defined by the European Banking Authority. All conditions associated with this commitment will be included in a Third Charter.

To qualify for this automatic payment deferral, a business must be considered "healthy." Only such businesses are eligible. For banks, it is essential to strike a balance: on one hand, they aim to provide maximum support to businesses and households during this challenging crisis, and on the other, they must fulfill their legal obligation of responsible lending and their societal duty to ensure that the savings of many are not lost.

To determine whether a business can be considered healthy or not, a set of criteria has been established. These criteria will be used by the entire banking sector to assess whether a business has sufficient financial capacity.

Businesses are not considered "healthy" if, at the end of 2019, they had negative equity and met one of the following criteria:

Febelfin wants to encourage everyone experiencing potential payment issues to proactively contact their bank: discuss possible customized individual solutions in a timely manner. Don't wait until the payment deferrals expire. Together, we can search for a structural solution for your specific situation to navigate this challenging period as effectively as possible. Various options are available to offer businesses or self-employed individuals tailored solutions. Febelfin explicitly addresses businesses, urging them to initiate a conversation with their bank. Sooner rather than later.

All other forms of financing, in addition to the extra payment deferrals that banks will now provide, must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Regarding the need for additional capital, the possibility of subordinated loans through organizations such as FPIM, PMV, Sowafin, and additional equity will be explored first. Banks are ready to provide administrative support to businesses in this regard. Subsequently, banks will engage in individual discussions with the concerned clients on how to maintain liquidity at an adequate level. Addressing the need for extra capital and liquidity requires customized solutions. Therefore, it is advisable to engage in dialogue with your bank promptly to jointly seek a potential solution.

Those experiencing payment difficulties and wishing to request a payment deferral are asked to contact their bank to verify if they meet the criteria. This can be done by appointment or through the available digital channels of the bank (email, chat, mobile app, etc.), as well as by phone. Banks are actively working on the practical implementation of these measures, which may take some time and may vary from one bank to another. Entrepreneurs can reach out to their banks starting from Monday with all their inquiries.

For those who do not meet the criteria or cannot obtain further payment deferral but still face financial issues, we recommend contacting their banker as soon as possible. Together, a potential solution tailored to their specific situation can be explored. Banks are making every effort to assist their clients as effectively and promptly as possible.

All details regarding payment deferrals (up to a maximum of 9 months) can be found in the Second Charter for Business Loan Payment Deferrals. Details concerning payment deferrals extending beyond 9 months can be found in the Third Charter..