Credit Guarantee Schemes (CGSs) are crucial in mitigating SMEs' financial
constraints. However, they are renownedly affected by critical shortcomings,
such as a lack of financial sustainability and operational efficiency.
Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) have shown significant revolutionary
influence in several sectors, including finance and banking, thanks to the full
operational traceability they bring alongside verifiable computation.
Nevertheless, the potential synergy between DLTs and CGSs has not been
thoroughly investigated yet. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework to
utilise DLTs, particularly blockchain technologies, in CGS processes to improve
operational efficiency and effectiveness. To this end, we compare key
architectural characteristics considering access level, governance structure,
and consensus method, to examine their fit with CGS processes. We believe this
study can guide policymakers and stakeholders, thereby stimulating further
innovation in this promising field.