Small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) could be one of the worst-affected by future interest rate rises, research suggests.

According to a study by e-bcm, an online credit-checking organisation, further interest rate rises could dampen consumer confidence to a level that forces some SMEs into bankruptcy, reports bCentral.

Although one further interest rate is widely expected, the company believes that any further rises could prove harmful.

"As customers rein in their borrowing, small firms will find it harder to collect payments and, if they run an overdraft or loan, as most small businesses do, they will find it increasingly difficult to finance that debt," said Dennis Scott, commercial director of e-bcm.

E-bcm is an online organisation, offering a number of services to clients, including credit-checking, tracking and debt collection.