Description
In 2011, as part of its partnership with the Participation Fund (Belgian public bank), the Belgian Bankers Academy:
Design of credit products for SMEs
Starteo: co-financing for start-ups and self-employed people (less than four years in business)
Optimeo & Initio: investment plans for existing businesses
Business Angel +: private equity advance for projects supported by Business Angel networks
Pricaf +: long-term advance against private “Pricaf” participation
Start-up loan & coaching: financing and support over 18 months for young entrepreneurs
Solidarity loan: mini-loan guaranteed by the King Baudouin Foundation for people excluded from banking services
Establishment of CeFiP
Center for Studies and Research on SME Financing (2005–2013)
Centralization of data (supply/demand, legislation, statistics) on a web platform
Coordination of a network of national and international experts
Conducting thematic studies (supply, demand, stages of development, microfinance, legislation)
Organization of seminars, workshops, and conferences to disseminate results
Role of BBA
- Definition and configuration of credit products (co-financing, private equity, microfinance)
- Development of procedure manuals and user guides for each product
- Design and coordination of the SME Financing Knowledge Center (CeFiP)
- Centralization, processing, and publication of data on the web platform
- Management of internal studies (supply/demand, SWOT, legislation) and organization of events
- Advising the Belgian government and representation in the OECD Access to Finance group