Creditshelf clinches €40m funding line from Amsterdam Trade Bank

The cash, which will be used for loans to German SMEs, comes at a time when many firms across Europe are facing disruption from the coronavirus' impact on the economy.

German alternative lender Creditshelf has secured a new  €40mline of funding for its SME loans from Amsterdam Trade Bank, as it continues to pursue an institutional funding strategy. 

Creditshelf, which launched in 2014, continued to grow its lending during the pandemic. In 2020 it saw a 12 per cent growth in loan originations in 2020 to €98m, a steep slow down from an acceleration in its growth in 2019 when it saw 75 per cent rise in originations. 

Nonetheless, the firm continues to strike institutional funding deals. Amsterdam Trade Bank, part of Alfa Bank Group, will now fund loans to German SMEs via Creditshelf’s platform joining a number of other institutional lenders including BNP Paribas Asset Management and the European Investment Fund 

Both became investors in 2020 with the European Investment Fund acting as anchor investor for the creditshelf Loan Fund.

Matt Kus (pictured), Head of Third-Party Origination at Amsterdam Trade Bank says it selected Creditshelf because of its track record of lending to SMEs in Germany. 

As one of the most institutionalized credit platforms in Europe, Creditshelf was the clear choice as an ideal partner in launching our SME focused activities in Germany.”

Daniel Bartsch, founding partner and Chief Operating Officer of creditshelf, added:

“This is a strong signal for our established financing partners and SME clients. Successful platform business thrives on diversity and competition on both sides of the platform and is the basis of further growth".

Tim Thabe, founding partner and CEO of creditshelf, adds: "We are very pleased that we were able to convince Amsterdam Trade Bank of our professional work and sustainable risk approach. I strongly believe that digital SME finance will become significantly more important in Germany. This offers not only attractive opportunities for lenders, but also urgently needed, additional financing options for SMEs. Therefore, I believe that this is exactly the right moment to enter the market."