Medio credito centrale

Law No 662/96 (Art. 2 c. 100, lett. a) established the Guarantee Fund for SMEs. Its purpose is to facilitate access to financial sources for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through the granting of a public guarantee that stands alongside and often replaces the guarantees provided by the enterprises.

SMEs registered in the Companies Register and professionals registered with professional orders or members of professional associations may be guaranteed.

Assistance is granted, up to a maximum of 80 per cent of the loan, on all types of operations, both short- and medium- to long-term, for both liquidity operations and investments. The fund guarantees each company or professional a maximum amount of EUR 2.5 million, which can be used through one or more operations, up to the established ceiling.

There are special sections within the fund. These are

• Special section for women's enterprises
• Special Section for Microcredit

Further useful information is available here.