In the financial system in the Republic of Croatia banks holds a dominant position in the financial system and business banks have the primarly role. They are the most active financial institutions, both in the payment system and in all three financial markets: monetary, foreign exchange and capital market. Croatia is constantly trying to catch up with the developed world economically, and therefore economic growth is in the spotlight. The contemporary economic pace is related to the dominant role of SME's and the fact that there is greater flexibility and adaptability of crafts, SME's in the modern globalization of turbulent conditions. The estimated GDP generated by banks depends on three quantities: net interest margin, credit depth measured by the loan to GDP ratio, and the share of the interest margin in gross income. The share of the interest margin in gross income depends on the development of the capital market or, in general, on the participation of banks in financial intermediation in addition to standard deposit-loan operations. There is a close correlation between economic and credit recovery (in terms of corporate loans), reform of the business climate, the corporate sector and, in particular, better use of EU funds, and that there is serious potential to strengthen the link between loans and growth. The key role of credit intermediaries in maintaining and accelerating economic growth is confirmed.