Equal opportunities: social lending

The bank promotes microcredit and other social finance instruments, fostering both financial and social inclusion. Actions focus on social lending initiatives that specifically contribute to gender equality and the promotion of financial inclusion.

UN SDGs SUPPORTED

Through the ‘mamma@work’ initiative Intesa Sanpaolo provides highly subsidised loans for working mothers to help them manage maternity-related financial commitments while remaining in employment.

The initiative was launched in 2020 as part of the Fund for Impact credit plafond for social impact activities and in 2025 about 1.5 million euro were made available to around 220 mothers.

Intesa Sanpaolo is committed to supporting female entrepreneurship and promoting gender equality through a range of financial products and initiatives. Some examples:

• The Business Gemma loan is a medium- to longterm financial product designed to support investments or liquidity needs for female-led and selfemployed companies. With flexible terms, including the option to suspend principal payments for up to 12 months in cases like maternity, this loan also provides access to the Guarantee Fund for SMEs dedicated to female entrepreneurship at no additional cost. In 2025, around 110 loans were disbursed for a total of about 6 million euro. 
•  the S-Loan Diversity: has been specifically designed to support SMEs that enhance the role of women in the workforce by encouraging gender equality measures, hiring women, and implementing welfare measures. This initiative aligns with European gender equality objectives, ensuring that women have better access to credit and greater economic independence, ultimately reducing inequalities. 

The International Banks Division further supports female entrepreneurship through initiatives such as the ‘Women in Business’ programme by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – EBRD. This programme aids micro, small, and medium-sized women-owned businesses in the Western Balkans by providing financial support, technical consulting, and knowledge sharing. In 2025, the programme disbursed approximately 13.2 million euro in support of around 540 women entrepreneurs in Serbia.