Abstract

In this paper the Authors focus on the structural aspects of Mutual Loan- Guarantee Consortia (MLGC) in the last years characterized by a deep crisis of the Italian economy, especially in Southern Italy. The analysis takes into account size, volume of activity, patrimonial requirements and guaranteed loans of the Southern MLGC versus those operating in the rest of Italy. Over the last few years some important steps forward in MLGC system have been taken in terms of increasing scale of activity and cost reduction, but it is still necessary the public support to MLGC in the Mezzogiorno in order to enhance their function of facilitating the matching of supply and demand in the credit market.