Coronavirus (COVID-19) is already having a profound effect on people’s lives and the economy. Corporate and commercial banks have a central role to play in supporting the global economy during the crisis, and in facilitating a rapid and sustained recovery afterwards. On top of normal commercial lending, banks will play a key role in implementing many of the government’s policies to support SMEs and corporates.

Credit War Room structure

Here we identify five actions corporate banking leaders should take to improve the resilience of their businesses and support the real economy. We draw on our live experience supporting banks on the COVID-19 response in Asia and Europe, and on broader crisis management experience from the financial crisis.