72% of the resources of the ICF Lidera Comerç line have already been used, and the line will remain available until the funds are exhausted. The financing is aimed at self-employed workers and SMEs in retail, hospitality and services with more than 4 years of activity that want to boost their growth. The loans have a fixed rate of 0.95%, thanks to a 3-percentage-point subsidy from the Ministry of Business and Labour.
The Institut Català de Finances (ICF) has already financed 120 businesses through the ICF Lidera Comerç loans, designed to drive investments that foster the growth and competitiveness of companies in retail, hospitality and services.
The subsidised loan line, promoted by the ICF and the Ministry of Business and Labour, has now used 72% of the available resources and will remain open until the funds are exhausted. Since its launch, €11.5 million of the €16 million allocated to the line have been mobilised.
In this regard, the CEO of the ICF, Vanessa Servera, highlighted "the preferential conditions of these loans for all businesses in retail, hospitality and the services sector that want to boost new investments" and encouraged those interested to "submit their application through the ICF's digital banking".
For her part, the Director-General for Commerce, Marta Angerri, pointed out that "the good pace of the ICF Lidera Comerç loans confirms the willingness of retail companies to keep investing in order to grow and gain competitiveness". With this financing line "we support them in their modernisation and expansion projects", she added.
The ICF Lidera Comerç loans have a fixed interest rate of 0.95%, thanks to a 3-percentage-point subsidy from the Ministry of Business and Labour through the Directorate-General for Commerce. The amount ranges between €25,000 and €150,000, with terms of up to 7 years, which include a one-year grace period.
Who can access the loans?
The line is aimed at consolidated, growing businesses that want to take a step further.
Self-employed workers, micro-enterprises and SMEs that want to access it must have been carrying out the activity for which they request the financing for a minimum of 4 years and have at least one physical point of sale in Catalonia, or plan to open one.
They must also demonstrate an increase in turnover in recent years: a minimum of 9% cumulative between the close of 2022 and that of 2025. If they have not approved their 2025 accounts, a cumulative growth of 12% between the close of 2021 and that of 2024 is required.