Investment & Fund Management

Banque Populaire, in collaboration with the Fédération Nationale des Socama and the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed a significant loan counter-guarantee agreement worth EUR 2 billion under the Investment Plan for Europe (Juncker Plan) and COSME, aimed at enhancing access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in France. This agreement is set to benefit over 65,000 French micro-enterprises, addressing the critical issue of financing accessibility that many small businesses face.

The tailored solutions provided through this agreement include innovative loan products such as the "Socama European Express Loan Without Personal Guarantee," which offers loans of up to EUR 50,000 for business development projects without requiring personal guarantees. This product also supports digital transformation initiatives, allowing businesses to fund up to EUR 30,000 for expenses related to digital transition, including advisory services and equipment for digitization. Additionally, the "Socama Creation Loan" targets new companies, providing loans of up to EUR 30,000 to cover startup costs, while limiting personal guarantees to 50% of the loan amount. For business takeovers, the "Socama Business Transfer and Takeover Loan" offers up to EUR 150,000 with personal guarantees capped at 25%.

As a result of these initiatives, Banque Populaire and the Socama network have previously financed 200,000 micro-enterprises, amounting to EUR 6 billion in loans. The new agreement is expected to further enhance this impact, enabling SMEs to invest in growth, create jobs, and facilitate their digital transformation, thereby contributing to the overall economic development in the region.