www.sfz-mainz.de Schuldnerfachberatungszentrum an der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Forschungs- und Dokumentationsstelle für Verbraucherinsolvenz und Schuldnerberatung Credit unions and Microlending in Germany 24.03.09 1
Introduction www.sfz.uni-mainz.de www.sfz-mainz.de In Germany we don t have microlending and credit unions as we know from other European states Although the need is high there is no comparable system in Germany Out of practical work we know that for example microlending for private persons would be very helpful A little more popular is microlending in Germany only for people who want to start a business 2 /16
Credit unions in Germany www.sfz.uni-mainz.de www.sfz-mainz.de In Germany we have credit institutions which might be translated with credit unions but they are not comparable with the credit unions like we know for example from Ireland Examples for so called credit unions : Spardabank or Volks- und Raiffeisenbanken This banks don t have a social character and work in fact like most of the other credit institutions. The only difference is that the customers are shareholder and are able to participate on the decision of the bank 3 /16
Microlending in Germany www.sfz.uni-mainz.de www.sfz-mainz.de Microlending is not very eminent in Germany There are regional programs that are similar to the programs we know from other European states There are 2 different types of support: 4) Subsidy grantor 5) Credit grantor Aim of the support is giving help for the formation of small companies. 4 /16
3 ways of financing microlending in Germany: www.sfz.uni-mainz.de www.sfz-mainz.de 1) Credit programs without the engaging of banks. Sponsoring organizations in these cases are public or private non-banks 2) Programs with banks as sponsoring organizations. The banks involved are especially public banks (State banks or saving banks) 3) Programs with private sponsoring organizations. These function as intermediary between banks and micro businesses 8 /16
Microlending in Germany Examples www.sfz.uni-mainz.de www.sfz-mainz.de 1a) Gründungszuschuss Supporting unemployed people who want to start a business Public money payed by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit People get the money in two phases 9 /16
Microlending in Germany Examples www.sfz.uni-mainz.de www.sfz-mainz.de 1b) Goldrausch (Berlin) (http://www.goldrausch-ev.de/) Goldrausch e.v. was founded in Berlin in 1982 by a group of committed feminists It s objective is to assist business women set up and invest in their own business through the provision of interest-free loans Financed by the contributions and donations of its members Maximum loan: 3000,- Euro Maximum duration: 24 month Loans just given to members Loans have to be secured by guarantee of payment 11 /16
Microlending in Germany Examples www.sfz.uni-mainz.de www.sfz-mainz.de 2) KfW Startgeld (http://www.gruenderstadt.de/infopark/dta-mikro-darlehen.html) Creditor is the KfW Mittelstandsbank the loans are offered by the local banks. Maximum loan is 50.000,- Euro Securities are not necessary Loans for new businesses or as a support for active small businesses 13 /16
Microlending in Germany Examples www.sfz.uni-mainz.de www.sfz-mainz.de 3) GöBI-Fonds (Göttingen) (http://wrg-goettingen.de/index.php?id=323) Support for unemployed people or people who might get unemployed, migrants and people who want to get back in a job The business has to break even in middle term If the business starter has own money that he can invest he has to do that but he can also apply for the loan if he has no capital maximum loan: 10.225,- Euro Interest: 4% Payment: 100% duration: 10 years, therefrom the loan is 2 years amortisation-free The interest-rate is supported by the city and the Landkreis Göttingen 15 /16
Microfinance in Germany 23 Microfinance in Germany and Europe. KfW Bankengruppe (Hrsg.) (2007)