Guaranteed Financing (ILTE / EIF) Unsecured loans
Government-backed financing for SMEs
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Guaranteed Financing (ILTE / EIF) Unsecured loans
Government-backed financing for SMEs
We have partnered with the European Investment Fund (EIF)
Under the InvestEU program, we offer favorable financial solutions tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to unlock more growth and scaling opportunities.
Currently, you can secure enhanced business loans backed by an EIF guarantee of up to 80% if your company invests in:
This EIF guarantee is available to SMEs looking to secure working capital (for raw material procurement, revenue growth, or real estate development) or funding for planned investments (such as acquiring equipment, vehicles, real estate, or upgrading existing assets). The guarantee is also an ideal fit for companies lacking sufficient collateral to secure a loan.
Development and deployment of sustainable technologies
Projects focused on natural resource conservation
Renewable energy expansion
Development of accessibility infrastructure for people with disabilities
Key loan characteristics
Overview Guarantee coverage Up to 80% of the loan amount Maximum loan amount € 1,500,000 per company Maximum term 48 months Which businesses are eligible for the guarantee?
The guarantee is open to all small or medium-sized enterprises registered in Lithuania that meet the following criteria:
Up to 250 employees
Headcount
Not exceeding €43 million OR
Total assets
Less than or equal to €50 million
Annual Turnover
Additionally, we provide unsecured microfinancing of up to €50,000 tailored specifically for micro-enterprises.
This solution can be quickly deployed for working capital (purchasing raw materials, restocking inventory, covering payroll) or capital expenditures (acquiring new equipment or vehicles).
Key microfinancing terms
Overview Maximum loan amount Up to €50,000 per company Maximum term 36 months Collateral Fully unsecured (in most cases, only a partial personal/corporate guarantee is required) Eligibility criteria (both must be met)
The number of employees does not exceed 10
Annual turnover does not exceed €2 million
SME Bank, in partnership with ILTE, offers individual loan guarantees to support SME financing.
To foster and support the growth and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), SME Bank and ILTE, the national development bank, have entered into agreements on individual loan guarantees. This partnership enables businesses to secure funding for investments or working capital without sufficient collateral. Additionally, companies are eligible to recover a portion of the interest paid.
Small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply
A financing instrument designed for small and medium-sized enterprises unable to secure funding due to insufficient or non-compliant collateral. The following financing instruments are covered.
Which financing instruments are covered?
Credit line
Loans
Leasing
Covered financing maturity
Maximum tenors for financing structures backed by a portfolio guarantee: Investment loans and financial leasing 10 years Working capital loans 5 years Credit line 3 years Guarantee Amount
The portfolio guarantee covers 80% of the principal amount for the financing partner. This rate applies to each transaction included in the financing partner’s portfolio, provided that the total payout by ILTE does not exceed the predefined cap.
Up to €2,812,500
The guarantee is applicable for loan or leasing transactions
Up to €468,750
For enterprises engaged in the primary production of agricultural products
Up to €375,000
For enterprises engaged in primary fisheries and aquaculture production
Startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply
Mitigates collateral shortfalls and improves SME access to debt financing.
Guarantee Amount
If multiple loan or leasing guarantees are granted, the total outstanding balance of guarantees must not exceed €10 million. The guarantee coverage rate is up to 80% (with a minimum guarantee amount of €5,000).
€1,125,000
For SMEs in business for up to 3 years
2,250,000
For SMEs in business for over 3 years
10%
Minimum own contribution
Startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply
Guarantees provided by ILTE mitigate collateral shortfalls and enable SMEs to access debt financing from financial institutions. The guarantee is provided for loans intended for:
Tangible investments
Acquiring, constructing, renovating, or reconstructing fixed assets.
Intangible investments
Technology transfer through the acquisition of patents, licenses, or other unpatented technical knowledge.
Working capital
(in the form of short-term credit and/or a credit line) required to fund the borrower's operations or (via a credit line) to issue performance guarantees (such as performance bonds, tender bonds, advance payment guarantees, warranty bonds, or payment guarantees).
Refinancing investments
Already paid for with the company’s own funds (incurred no earlier than 6 months prior to the receipt and registration date of the guarantee application).
Guaranteed loan tenor
Guaranteed loan tenor Maximum maturity for working capital loans 3 years Maximum maturity for credit lines backing guarantees 5 years Guarantee Amount
The guarantee rate covers up to 80% (up to 50% for real estate acquisitions) of the loan amount, capped at € 5 million. If multiple loan or leasing guarantees are issued, the aggregate outstanding balance of guarantees must not exceed € 10 million.
Economic entities engaged in agriculture, primary agricultural production and processing, forestry, rural development, aquaculture, and fisheries can apply
Mitigates collateral shortfalls and enables small and medium-sized enterprises to secure financing on more favourable credit terms.
Financing tenor covered is unlimited
The guarantee is available for loans funding investment projects, loans or credit lines for working capital, biological asset acquisition, as well as loans for initial equity contributions to recognized agricultural cooperative societies, designated for:
Agricultural activities
Forestry activities
Food industry activities
Rural development
Fisheries
Guarantee Amount
The portfolio guarantee covers 80% of the principal amount for the financing partner. This rate applies to each transaction included in the financing partner’s portfolio, provided that the total payout by ILTE does not exceed the predefined cap.
80%
The guarantee coverage rate.
€ 5,000
The minimum guarantee amount.
€3 million
The maximum guarantee amount for investment loans.