Cultura
SPAIN: The impact of microloans in Spain
Microloans have been traditionally granted by the Foundations of savings banks but in the framework of their policies of corporate social responsibility traditional banks are also entering this field
di Ges
According to experts, microloans currently amount to more than 40 million ? which have been granted to around 4000 applicants. La ?Fundació La Caixa? launched a microloans programme in the year 2000. It has financed 1900 projects, 73 % of which have benefited women and 26% migrants. The total amount of money invested is 27 million ?. La ?Fundació Un Sol Món?, which depends on ?Caixa Catalunya?, has granted 9 million ? distributed among 1000 microloans which have been mostly devoted to the opening of small shops and bars. 65% of these establishments are still in operation after three years of being granted the microloans, a percentage that is similar to the survival rate of the rest of Spanish enterprises.
