Credit guarantees that help businesses get to yes
UNI.CO. is a cooperative that helps Italian small and medium enterprises access the financing they need — through credit guarantees, access support, and practical guidance. We work alongside businesses, not above them.
A guarantee turns a difficult yes into a straightforward one.
Many SMEs are viable but lack the collateral banks demand. A credit guarantee bridges that gap — it reassures the lender, lowers the cost of credit, and gives the business access to financing on terms it couldn't reach alone. That means operations keep running, investment plans move forward, and good businesses don't stall for lack of a signature.
Activity areas
From credit guarantees that unlock bank financing to hands-on support that helps businesses navigate the process, we work with Italian SMEs across every sector of the real economy.
Credit guarantees for SMEs
The core of what we do. We provide guarantees that cover a share of a bank loan, enabling SMEs to access financing they might not secure on their own — often at better rates and with less collateral required. The business gets the capital; the bank gets the assurance; we share the risk.
- Unlocks financing without full collateral
- Reduces the cost of credit
- Works with your existing bank relationship
Access to financing support
Getting financing isn't just about the guarantee — it's about navigating the process. We help businesses understand what banks look for, prepare the right documentation, and present their case effectively. That preparation often makes the difference between a yes and a no.
- Identify the right financing instrument
- Prepare documentation and applications
- Present your case with expert support
Small business & commerce support
Shops, restaurants, and local commerce are the backbone of Italian communities. We support these businesses with guarantee-backed financing for inventory, equipment, renovations, and digital integration — helping them stay competitive and resilient.
- Inventory, equipment, and fit-out financing
- Digital and e-commerce integration support
- Tailored for small and micro enterprises
Artisan & micro-enterprise guarantees
Italy's artisan tradition is world-renowned but often underserved by mainstream finance. We work with individual artisans, family workshops, and micro-enterprises — providing guarantee-backed financing for tools, materials, and workshop upgrades that keep traditional trades alive.
- Tools, equipment, and workshop upgrades
- Simplified process for micro-enterprises
- Preserves traditional trades and know-how
Business development & growth
Growth needs capital — a new location, a product line, hiring skilled staff. We help SMEs finance development plans with guarantee-backed structures that make investment achievable today, spreading the cost across the period the investment generates returns.
- Expansion, innovation, and hiring plans
- Terms matched to the investment timeline
- Supports competitiveness and job creation
Cooperative mutual guarantee funds
As a cooperative, our guarantee funds are built on mutual participation. Members contribute to a shared fund that backs each other's financing — spreading risk across the community and keeping the cost of guarantees lower than commercial alternatives.
- Shared risk across the cooperative
- Lower costs than commercial guarantees
- Members benefit from collective strength
Principles that guide every guarantee
We're a cooperative — which means we answer to our members, not to shareholders. These commitments shape how we work with every business, on every application.
Cooperative by design
Our members are the businesses we serve. Every decision starts from their needs, not from external profit targets. When our members succeed, the cooperative succeeds.
Transparent process
Eligibility criteria, coverage ratios, and timelines are stated clearly upfront. No opaque scoring, no moving goalposts — just a process an SME owner can understand and plan around.
Efficient turnaround
Businesses can't wait months for a decision. We review applications promptly and provide a clear answer within a defined timeframe — because a guarantee that arrives too late helps no one.
Real-economy expertise
We understand the sectors we serve — commerce, artisan trades, services, and the daily reality of running a small business in Italy. That knowledge produces fairer assessments and better instruments.
Accessible to all sizes
A micro-enterprise deserves the same attention as a mid-sized firm. We design instruments that work at every scale — because the smallest businesses are often the ones that need a guarantee most.
Long-term partnership
We're not a one-time transaction. As businesses grow and return for new financing, we're here with a streamlined process and an understanding of their history — because supporting enterprise is a relationship.
Ready to explore your options?
Tell us about your business and what you need. We'll outline the instruments that fit and walk you through the process.
Start a conversation