Investment & Fund Management

DBT Företagslån (DBT) faced a significant challenge in accessing funding to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. Historically, only state-financed lenders had received backing from the European Investment Fund (EIF) under the InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility, which limited the options available for SMEs seeking financial support. This situation created a bottleneck for SMEs looking to scale their operations or expand production capacity.

To address this issue, DBT became the first private lender in Sweden to enter into an agreement with the EIF under the InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility. This agreement allowed DBT to facilitate up to EUR 80 million in new lending specifically targeted at SMEs and mid-caps. The EIF's guarantee enabled DBT to offer more favorable interest rates to its customers, thereby enhancing access to finance for these businesses. The guarantee also reduced the risk spread for the final recipients, making loans more attractive and affordable.

As a result of this initiative, more than 10,000 SMEs in Sweden have benefited from loans at favorable terms, significantly improving their ability to invest in growth and innovation. The partnership with EIF not only marked a milestone for DBT but also underscored the importance of providing diverse financing options to SMEs, which have historically struggled with access to capital. This collaboration exemplifies how tailored financial solutions can effectively address niche market challenges and foster economic growth within the SME sector.