Government Measure1
Eligible SMEs may apply for loans of up to 10% of their most recent annual turnover
capped at CHF 20m:
- Loans up to CHF 500k are made without formality, by banks and are fully secured by a
state guarantee organisation;
- Applications for loans over CHF 500k (plus annual interest) are subject to an ordinary
review by banks but take into account the guarantee, which cannot exceed 85% of the loan
(plus interest).
Exceptionally, the amount of the guarantee may exceed CHF 20m, if the applicant faces
material adverse consequences as a result of COVID-19; in that case, any increase in the
guarantee is subject to the approval of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs,
Education, and Research (EAER) with the agreement of the Federal Department of Finance
(FDF).
Loans are granted for a period of five years (an extension of two years in case of
difficulties is also possible).
Loans will be amortised in full within five years. However, if amortisation within this
deadline has material adverse consequences for the borrower, the participating bank may,
with the agreement of the guarantor, extend the deadline once by two years.
Interest rates:
- loans < CHF 500,000: 0.0% p.a.;
- loans > CHF 500,000: 0.5% p.a.;
- loans not secured by a joint and several guarantee: in accordance with the credit
agreement.
By March 31 of each year (commencing 31 March 2021), the Federal Department of Finance
(FDF) may (in consultation with the participating banks) adjust the interest rates upwards
to take account of market developments.
Eligibility
Swiss based SMEs2 which:
- were Incorporated before 1 March 2020;
- are not (i) bankrupt, (ii) in a composition procedure, or (iii) being wound up at the
time of the application;
- are substantially affected economically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in
particular as regards their turnover;
- have not been granted guarantees already under the emergency law regulation applicable
to the sectors of sport and culture at the time of the application.
Supervising Authority
The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).
Credit applications must be submitted by 31 July 2020 to the creditor banks using the
form below provided for this purpose and the banks must forward them to the guarantee
organisations by 14 August 2020.
The volume of loans guaranteed by the Swiss Confederation is currently capped at CHF 20b,
but it may be increased in the next few days to CHF 40b if the Swiss Parliament accepts
the Federal Council’s proposal of 3 April 2020.
Electronic documents to submit loan applications are available
here
Availability
Effective as from 26 March 2020 for a period of six months.