Checklist to choose the right financial partner. SMEs face a difficult time in gaining access to finance and the prevailing financial climate aggravates the situation so much more. Given this, SMEs ought to seek a dependable financial partner who can advise them on how to meet their credit requirements in uncertain times such as these. In our opinion, the government, banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and business houses should join hands to emerge stronger from the current situation.