Switzerland

Business funding in Geneva

Geneva's economy is shaped by commodity trading, private banking and a large presence of international organisations, which gives the city a lending market skewed towards trade finance and structured facilities for internationally mobile businesses. Standard SME lending exists too, but the market is smaller and more relationship dependent than in Zurich.

Who lends in Geneva

Structures that fit

StructureWhere it works
Trade financeStructured for commodity trading houses managing complex international supply chains.
Lombard lendingSecured against investment portfolios, common among private banking clients who also own businesses.
FactoringAvailable for SMEs, though fewer specialist providers operate here than in Zurich.
Commercial mortgageConservative terms typical of Swiss lending, with high property values shaping facility sizes.

Sectors we fund here

Practical notes

Trade finance for commodity businesses often requires detailed documentation of the underlying physical supply chain.

Business owners with investment portfolios may find lombard lending against those assets faster than a standard business loan.

Because the SME lender pool is smaller, it is worth approaching several providers directly rather than assuming a single relationship will cover all needs.

Questions

What is lombard lending and does it suit business owners?

It is lending secured against liquid investment portfolios rather than business assets. It suits owners who hold significant personal investments and want funding without pledging company assets.

Is Geneva a good base for commodity trading finance?

Yes, the city has deep experience in structuring trade finance for physical commodity flows, supported by specialist banks and trade finance houses.

Is SME lending harder to access than in Zurich?

The lender pool is smaller, so it can take more effort to find the right fit, though the facilities available are broadly similar in type.

Tell us what the business in Geneva needs and we will structure the request and approach the providers whose criteria match. No upfront fees, charges apply only once funding completes.

Start a funding request