Support for small businesses

Caja Madrid works to make financing terms as accessible as possible to new businesses and promote the development of small and medium enterprises as its contribution to the growth of Spain’s entrepreneurial fabric. This is done through a large number of agreements, highlighted by:

• Agreement with the Madrid Regional Young Entrepreneurs Association: This agreement establishes a series of financial advantages in products designed for young entrepreneurs looking to grow their business by improving their business administration capabilities and financing.
• ICO Enterprise Promotion Line: A key initiative to channel financing under preferential conditions to small and medium-size businesses and independent contractors, with the sole objective of favouring the development and growth of such enterprises. In 2008, the Caja Madrid Group climbed to the fifth spot in the ranking of financial institutions that distribute this product.
• Agreements with Avalmadrid: The three lines of financing on favourable terms support immigrants, business start-ups and groups at risk of social exclusion, to boost the economy in the Madrid area, in addition to helping help female entrepreneurs set up their first business as a means of furthering women's entry into the labour market. In all, the three lines extended nearly 200 million euros in financing to help generate wealth in Madrid enterprises.
• Agreement with Foment del Treball Nacional: For enterprises, entities and associations in Catalonia affiliated with the Catalan confederation of business organisations Foment del Treball Nacional.
• Agreement with the Instituto de Fomento de la Región de Murcia (INFO): Targeted at businesses and entrepreneurs operating in the Murcia Region.
• Participation in Fundetec: Aimed at encouraging take-up of new information technologies among businesses and self-employed professionals.
• Agreement with CEIM and the Madrid Chamber of Commerce: A programme to support Madrid-area small and medium enterprises with 2,250 million euros to finance businesses and contribute to their investment projects.
• Agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB): Beneficiaries can tap a 200 million euros credit line to finance their business projects on favourable terms. These credit facilities are targeted at small and medium enterprises, the self-employed and independent contractors.
• ICO Plan Avanza TIC Loan Line: These interest free and no-commission loans foster take-up of information technologies.

Caja Madrid also participates in agreements with mutual guarantee companies and the Instituto de Empresa business school to offer special financing on favourable terms.