In the context of its commitment to SMEs' support and sustainable growth, CrediaBank signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Western Macedonian Region in Greece and the local Chambers of Commerce and Industry, aiming to support sustainable entrepreneurship, facilitating the integration of local businesses into green transition.
This Memorandum of Cooperation demonstrates CrediaBank's commitment to supporting large and complex projects and integrating ESG criteria into its loan approval and investment decisions. Specifically, it includes:
- Joint actions to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Region of Western Macedonia in Greece
- Collaboration in leveraging European and national funding tools
- Promotion of sustainable development and green transition
- Improvement of banking services through modern financial tools and incentives, focused on the needs of local businesses and citizens
In this context, CrediaBank adopts modern financing criteria that include the existence of a sustainable development investment plan, ESG-based creditworthiness assessments, and the provision of liquidity to support the transition of businesses to a sustainable and competitive operating model.
At the same time, to strengthen local communities and support young people who choose to stay and work in the region, CrediaBank offers favorable financing terms for business, housing, consumer, and other credit products. Beyond financial tools, the bank provides guidance from specialized sustainability consultants to support the business strategies of interested parties at every stage of the green transition.
CrediaBank CEO, Ms. Eleni Vrettou, stated: "The signing of this Memorandum represents another strategic step for CrediaBank in contributing to the reconstruction of Greece's regional areas on sustainable terms. Western Macedonian Region in Greece is at a critical turning point, and our Bank, responding to the public call from the Regional Governor, comes forward to support the transition of local businesses with holistic solutions towards a new, sustainable and resilient model."
As part of the Bank's commitment to facilitate the region's "green" SMEs' transition, CrediaBank actively supported the Conference organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kozani, for local businesses. The conference hosted representatives of the local government, professional organizations, academia, sustainability-focused companies and CrediaBank executives that fostered a constructive dialogue about the challenges local businesses face in the green transition and the power of synergies in creating the necessary conditions for their sustainable development. Topics discussed included the potential of family-owned businesses, flexible financing tools, ESG index calculators and certifications, government funding programs.