Banca Intesa, part of the international banking group Intesa Sanpaolo, has introduced mini-bonds to the Serbian market, offering new opportunities for financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are vital to the economy. This initiative also contributes to the growth of the domestic capital market.
Mini-bonds can be issued by small and medium-sized companies to raise funds for business growth and development. These funds can be used for expanding production and sales capacities, launching new products, entering new markets, or acquiring other businesses. Banca Intesa serves as the arranger and sponsor of the bond issuance, purchasing the entire bond amount to ensure a fast and secure transaction for all parties involved.
The key benefits of mini-bonds include a seven-year maturity with a two-year grace period, a total emission limit of up to 10 million euros, and no need for substantial collateral. Individual bond issuances are based on the client’s business plan and creditworthiness.
Darko Popović, president of Banca Intesa’s Executive Board, emphasized, “This initiative is a clear demonstration of the confidence Banca Intesa has in its clients and the future of the Serbian economy. With this innovative financial instrument, we aim to improve financing accessibility for SMEs, support their investment plans, strengthen the economy’s competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience, and foster the growth of the domestic capital market.”
The introduction of mini-bonds in Serbia is part of the Intesa Sanpaolo group’s Minibond initiative and aligns with Banca Intesa’s broader strategy to support sustainable economic growth in line with best practices from the European financial market.
Giuseppe Ferraro, Director of Business, SME, and Small Business in Intesa Sanpaolo’s International Banking Division, stated, “After the success of mini-bonds in Italy, we’re now bringing this innovative solution to the CEE region. In Croatia alone, we invested 60 million euros in just six months, and we’re now expanding to Serbia and Slovakia. Our goal is clear – to offer SMEs easier and faster access to capital markets to help them realize development and transformation projects while maintaining high standards of analysis and risk management.”
By arranging and sponsoring individual mini-bond issues, Banca Intesa provides SMEs with an alternative funding source, allowing them to diversify their capital and access funds for development without relying solely on traditional forms of borrowing. This innovative financing solution enhances the bank’s position as a market leader and marks a significant advancement in diversifying the country’s financial ecosystem.
