2409-1634Research result. Economic Research2409-163410.18413/2409-1634-2025-11-4-0-93989FINANCE<strong>SMALL BUSINESS LENDING WITH FINANCIAL ENGINEERING TOOLS: GLOBAL AND DOMESTIC EXPERIENCE</strong><strong>SMALL BUSINESS LENDING WITH FINANCIAL ENGINEERING TOOLS: GLOBAL AND DOMESTIC EXPERIENCE</strong>MelnikovaNatalia S.MelnikovaNatalia S.melnikova_n@bsu.edu.ruErofteevaEleonora V.ErofteevaEleonora V.1463194@bsu.edu.ru202511400

This paper examines the specifics of small business lending using financial engineering tools at the global and domestic levels. It analyzes the role of small businesses in the modern economy: their contribution to employment, innovation, and sustainable growth, as well as the challenges of access to credit amid the global transformation of the financial sectorA review of global practices has identified key trends in the implementation of financial engineering: a transition to innovative hybrid lending schemes; integration of digital technologies; use of structured products; public-private partnerships; and support through guarantees and subsidies. Particular attention is paid to the Russian context: the dynamics of the SME sector&#39;s development, the impact of digitalization of banking processes, the use of AI, machine learning, blockchain, and API initiations to improve the transparency and efficiency of lending, and the role of government support in developing an adaptive financing model. The article presents a comparative table of international SME lending models and the Russian model, illustrating similarities and differences in institutional frameworks, technological foundations, regulatory environments, and performance. The key findings indicate that the share of digital SME loan applications continues to grow, and the overall volume of bank lending is demonstrating an upward trend due to engineering and digital approaches. The implementation of securitization, hedging, crowdlending, and the integration of financial platforms contribute to cost reduction and expanded access to resources for small businesses, including microenterprises with minimal collateral. The conclusion emphasizes that financial engineering is becoming a strategic area for modernizing credit relations: it provides more flexible and adaptable credit products, increases financial inclusion, manages risks, and improves the investment activity of SMEs. Further development of unified standards for engineering tools, increased digitalization of processes, and the further development of guarantee and crowdfunding institutions within the framework of state support and market mechanisms are recommended.

This paper examines the specifics of small business lending using financial engineering tools at the global and domestic levels. It analyzes the role of small businesses in the modern economy: their contribution to employment, innovation, and sustainable growth, as well as the challenges of access to credit amid the global transformation of the financial sectorA review of global practices has identified key trends in the implementation of financial engineering: a transition to innovative hybrid lending schemes; integration of digital technologies; use of structured products; public-private partnerships; and support through guarantees and subsidies. Particular attention is paid to the Russian context: the dynamics of the SME sector&#39;s development, the impact of digitalization of banking processes, the use of AI, machine learning, blockchain, and API initiations to improve the transparency and efficiency of lending, and the role of government support in developing an adaptive financing model. The article presents a comparative table of international SME lending models and the Russian model, illustrating similarities and differences in institutional frameworks, technological foundations, regulatory environments, and performance. The key findings indicate that the share of digital SME loan applications continues to grow, and the overall volume of bank lending is demonstrating an upward trend due to engineering and digital approaches. The implementation of securitization, hedging, crowdlending, and the integration of financial platforms contribute to cost reduction and expanded access to resources for small businesses, including microenterprises with minimal collateral. The conclusion emphasizes that financial engineering is becoming a strategic area for modernizing credit relations: it provides more flexible and adaptable credit products, increases financial inclusion, manages risks, and improves the investment activity of SMEs. Further development of unified standards for engineering tools, increased digitalization of processes, and the further development of guarantee and crowdfunding institutions within the framework of state support and market mechanisms are recommended.

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