The rapid development of digitization has significantly affected the outside world. Banks in Sweden have developed a lot since digitization took hold, the internet bank has been made more efficient, matters have been digitized, bank offices have been closed and there have been several strategic changes. This study is based on ten interviews from six different banks in Sweden, large and small, with the aim of describing and analyzing how digitization has affected lending to small and medium-sized companies. Including how the bank receives loan applications, how the information is collected, what systems and digital tools are used in assessments and how the relationship with customers has been affected.

Digitization has changed the lending strategies in the banking sector as many banks have switched to digitized credit assessment systems. This has increased efficiency but also the risk of misleading assessments. At the same time, the transition to digital interactions has reduced the need for physical meetings, which has increased accessibility but also worsened the relationship between bank and customer according to several respondents. Despite this, the importance of maintaining a human factor in credit granting is emphasized to ensure a correct assessment of the companies' needs and ability to pay. Finally, it is emphasized that digitization offers opportunities for easier everyday life, but that it also involves a social responsibility to use it responsibly.

Keywords: Bank financing, digitization, hard information, lending, soft information, SME, lending strategies