COFIDI.IT soc. coop.

What COFIDI.IT soc. coop. does

COFIDI.IT (legal name: COFIDI IMPRESE E TERRITORI SOCIETÀ COOPERATIVA DI GARANZIA COLLETTIVA FIDI) is an Italian mutual guarantee cooperative (Confidi) supervised by Banca d'Italia under Article 106 of the Consolidated Law on Banking (registration 19554-5). It functions as the official credit instrument of the CNA (Confederazione Nazionale dell'Artigianato e della Piccola e Media Impresa) system, providing collective guarantees, direct credit, counter-guarantees via MCC, surety bonds, and consulting services to facilitate SME access to bank credit. The core technology is the mutual guarantee model integrated with subsidized financing instruments (FESR-FSE+, Nuova Sabatini, SIMEST, MISE Fondo Rischi, MEF anti-usury, Regione Puglia programs); no proprietary software or public API is referenced. At year-end 2025, €287,453,086 in guarantees were in force across 14,000+ member enterprises, €13,575,000 in direct credit was extended, and Own Funds of €28,552,827 backed the balance sheet, with reported net profit of €64,028 reflecting cooperative retention of earnings rather than distribution.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: recurring guarantee commissions on in-force stock, interest/fee income on direct credit (now materializing as a distinct P&L line), and ancillary service fees (surety bonds, consulting, agent commissions). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; product-level rate cards are filed as fogli informativi, with the Nuova Sabatini direct-financing line quoted at 6–8% fixed over 5 years. Distribution is multi-channel: 9 own branches and desks across 7 Southern Italian regions (Puglia, Calabria, Basilicata, Campania, Molise, Abruzzo, Lazio), embedment within CNA offices, a national network of conventioned banks (including the new €10M Banque AideXa plafond and Gruppo BCC Iccrea framework), and three commissioned financial agents. The primary customer segment is Southern Italian SMEs (artisans, micro-enterprises, freelancers, export-oriented firms, and startups), with segmentation driven vertically by use case (ordinary credit, subsidized programs, internationalization, anti-usury support).

Operationally, COFIDI.IT is small but capital-deep relative to scale: 15 employees manage €287M in guarantees and €28.5M in regulatory capital, a high-leverage cooperative model in which most credit-approval work is absorbed by the conventioned banks. The 2026 leadership transition (Sabino Persichella replacing Teresa Pellegrino as DG) and recent bank/partnership activity indicate a strategic pivot toward direct lending and digital distribution channels while preserving the cooperative's regulated status.

Name

COFIDI.IT soc. coop.

Legal name

COFIDI IMPRESE E TERRITORI SOCIETÀ COOPERATIVA DI GARANZIA COLLETTIVA FIDI

Website

https://cofidi.it

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

COFIDI.IT is a Banca d'Italia-supervised mutual guarantee cooperative within the CNA system that provides up to 80% credit guarantees, direct lending, and subsidized financing to 14,000+ SMEs across Southern Italy, with €287M in guarantees in force.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mutual Credit Guarantee Services

NAICS

Nondepository Credit Intermediation (5222), Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative Banks (Member-Owned Commercial/Retail) (FSABAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Large-Cap / Sponsor Finance Direct Lending (FSANADAJ)

Keywords

• Mutual credit guarantees
• SME financing services
• Direct credit lending
• Subsidized loan programs
• Surety bond services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bari

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Guarantee fees: COFIDI.IT generates revenue primarily through guarantee commissions charged to member SMEs and banks on the guarantees provided. As a mutual guarantee cooperative, fees are structured to support member access to credit at favorable conditions.
2. Direct credit: COFIDI.IT directly extends credit to SMEs from its own funds, complementing the guarantee model. In 2025, direct credit reached €13,575,000, demonstrating the company's evolution beyond traditional guarantee-only operations.
3. Financial services fees: The company charges fees for ancillary financial services including surety bonds (polizze fideiussorie), consulting, and administrative services related to public contribution programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

COFIDI.IT is a cooperative financial intermediary (Confidi) supervised by Banca d'Italia under Article 106 of the Italian Consolidated Law on Banking. It provides collective credit guarantees (up to 80% coverage) and direct credit to small and medium enterprises, facilitating their access to bank financing through conventions with partner banks. Its product portfolio also includes subsidized regional and EU financing programs, counter-guarantee services via MCC, and surety bonds (polizze fideiussorie) for public grant recipients.

Product overview

COFIDI.IT is a cooperative financial intermediary (vigilated by Banca d'Italia, ex art. 106 TUB) operating as part of the CNA system. The product portfolio centers on a Garanzia (guarantee) core product providing up to 80% coverage on bank loans, supplemented by three main product lines: Finanziamenti Ordinari (ordinary financing with unlimited amounts), Finanziamenti Agevolati (subsidized regional programs), and MCC/Controgaranzia (counter-guarantee via Central Guarantee Fund). Special products include direct credit (Credito Diretto up to €13.5M), fast-track X Instant Garantito (€2M, one-week delivery), Nuova Sabatini instrumental goods financing (€20K-100K), SIMEST internationalization financing (up to €5M), FESR-FSE+ 2021-2027 regional guarantees (€10M allocated), Fondo Rischi MISE guarantees (up to €2.5M), surety bonds (Polizze Fideiussorie) for public grant recipients, NIDI Just Transition Fund Taranto startup support, and Filiere di Puglia €40M agri-food program. The offering integrates guarantees, direct lending, and subsidized financing with bank partnerships throughout southern Italy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Finanziamenti Ordinari (Ordinary Financing with Guarantee) Ordinary financing with unlimited loan amounts supported by COFIDI.IT's guarantee (up to 80% coverage) for SMEs across all sectors. Facilitates access to bank credit through conventions with partner banks.
• Finanziamenti Agevolati (Subsidized Financing) Subsidized financing programs for Basilicata, Calabria, and Puglia regions under PO FESR. Includes contributions to guarantee funds for cooperative guarantee consortia supporting SME credit operations.
• MCC / Controgaranzia (Counter-Guarantee) Counter-guarantee service accredited with MCC (Mediocredito Centrale) for autonomous certification of SME creditworthiness, enabling indirect guarantees (fascia 1 and 2) under the Central Guarantee Fund.
• FESR-FSE+ 2021-2027 Sistema delle Garanzie Pubbliche EU regional guarantee program under Regione Puglia's mutualistic guarantee fund 2021-2027. COFIDI.IT ranked first among confidi. Provides guarantees up to 80% on loans: up to €1,800,000 max for investments, up to €1,000,000 max for working capital.
• X Instant Garantito Fast-track guaranteed financing product with Banca AideXa providing financing up to €2,000,000 with 72-month duration. 20-minute approval, funds delivered in one week. Backed by 80% COFIDI.IT guarantee.
• Beni Strumentali - Nuova Sabatini Direct financing from COFIDI.IT ranging from €20,000 to €100,000 for purchase of machinery, equipment, production assets, hardware, and software. Benefits from Ministry-contributed interest subsidy (2.75% ordinary / 3.575% for 4.0 and green investments). 5-year term with 1-year pre-amortization at fixed rate from 6% to 8%.
• Finanziamenti SIMEST per Investimenti all'Estero (SIMEST Financing for International Investments) Subsidized financing via SIMEST (Fondo 394) for SME internationalization: market entry, e-commerce, trade fairs, digital/ecological transition, certifications, consulting, and temporary management. Up to €5,000,000, 6-year duration, with 10% non-repayable contribution. Includes Focus Africa, America Latina, Balcani programs.
• Fondo Rischi New MISE (MISE Risk Fund Guarantee) Guarantee up to 80% via MISE risk fund for SMEs nationwide up to €2,500,000, minimum 36-month duration. Supports access to credit for investment and working capital with all partner banks.
• Polizze Fideiussorie (Surety Bonds) Surety bonds issued to Puglia-region enterprises receiving public grants (PIA, PIA Turismo, NIDI). Enables advance payment of regional contributions, accelerating access to funds.
• Credito Diretto (Direct Credit) Direct credit provision by COFIDI.IT to member enterprises from its own funds. Reached €13,575,000 in 2025, demonstrating the cooperative's evolution beyond traditional guarantee-only operations. Provides financing without bank intermediation.
• NIDI Just Transition Fund Taranto Support program for micro-enterprises in Taranto province under PN JTF Italia 2021-2027. Max €150,000 for investments plus €15,000 for operating expenses. Targets disadvantaged groups including youth (18-35), women, and individuals affected by industrial transition. Combines non-repayable contribution with reimbursable loan.
• Filiere di Puglia - CSR Puglia 2023-2027 (Agri-Food Supply Chains)

Quantifiable outcome

• €287,453,086 in guarantees in force supporting 14,000+ member enterprises
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Banca AideXaflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2026COFIDI.IT signed a new strategic convention with Banca AideXa providing a dedicated plafond of €10,000,000 for liquidity and investment financing. The partnership offers guaranteed financing up to €3,000,000 with up to 72 monthly installments and up to 80% COFIDI.IT guarantee. Includes the X Instant Garantito product allowing financing decisions in 20 minutes and funds disbursement within one week. Abbinable with Fondo Centrale di Garanzia.
• Gruppo BCC IccreaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026CNA and Gruppo BCC Iccrea renewed their Framework Agreement. In Puglia, the agreement was formalized between CNA Puglia, COFIDI.IT, and regional BCCs. A dedicated working group will analyze development drivers, monitor agreement themes, and identify new collaboration areas, with particular focus on COFIDI.IT's guarantee role. The partnership strengthens cooperation between cooperative banks and the CNA credit system.
• CNA (Confederazione Nazionale dell'Artigianato e della Piccola e Media Impresa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFIDI.IT is the official credit instrument of the CNA system. As a cooperative of the CNA, it leverages the CNA network to reach member artisans and SMEs. The partnership provides COFIDI.IT with a steady pipeline of potential guarantee clients through CNA's regional and local offices throughout Italy, while COFIDI.IT provides CNA members with preferential access to credit and guarantee products. The partnership includes joint governance through the CNA system and shared identity under the CNA brand.
• Banca d'ItaliacoreOthersCOFIDI.IT is a Financial Intermediary registered under Article 106 of the Consolidated Law on Banking (TUB) with registration number 19554-5, subject to Banca d'Italia supervision. This regulatory status enables COFIDI.IT to provide official guarantee products recognized by the Italian banking system and to manage public funds.
• Conventioned Banks (Istituti di Credito)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCOFIDI.IT has conventions with major Italian banks enabling member enterprises to obtain financing at preferential rates. The guarantee provided by COFIDI.IT reduces risk for banks, allowing them to extend credit to SMEs they might otherwise decline. Conventions cover the entire national territory and include favorable interest rates and conditions.
• SIMEST (Gruppo CDP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFIDI.IT provides guarantees on SIMEST financing for SME internationalization, including Africa, Latin America, and Balkans programs. SIMEST financing is backed by the MAECI-managed Fund 394. COFIDI.IT offers both guarantee and consulting services for participating enterprises, with funding up to €5,000,000 per enterprise and up to 10% non-repayable grant component.
• Regione PugliaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFIDI.IT was ranked first among confidi in the assignment of resources from the 2021-2027 Puglia Mutual Guarantee Fund (Fondo di Garanzia Mutualistica). The company manages €10 million in FESR-FSE+ 2021-2027 funds (Measure 1.11.1) providing guarantees up to 80% for SME investments. Also supports Puglia Region's PIA, MiniPIA, and NIDI programs through guarantee and surety products.
• MISE (Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFIDI.IT manages the New MISE Fund Risk (Fondo Rischi New MISE) for guaranteeing new loans to SMEs and professionals across Italy. Maximum financing of €2,500,000 per enterprise with 80% guarantee coverage. Also manages Nuova Sabatini (Beni Strumentali) program, prenotando Ministry contributions for SME investment in machinery and equipment.
• MEF (Ministero dell'Economia e delle Finanze)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFIDI.IT manages resources from the MEF-funded National Anti-Usury Fund (Fondo Nazionale Antiusura) to provide credit access support for enterprises facing usurious lending conditions.
• Fondo Centrale di Garanzia (MCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFIDI.IT is accredited for autonomous certification of creditworthiness by MCC (Mediocredito Centrale), manager of the Central Guarantee Fund, for indirect guarantees (counter-guarantees, bands 1 and 2). This enables COFIDI.IT to integrate its own guarantee with the national guarantee fund for enhanced SME credit access.
• Università LUM Giuseppe DegennarominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFIDI.IT signed a convention with Università LUM School of Management for internship opportunities for university students, creating a talent pipeline and strengthening ties with academic institutions.
• Banca EticaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCOFIDI.IT partnered with Banca Etica to finance new taxi licenses in Bari, providing financing for approximately 30 new taxi operators through a synergistic collaboration with CNA Bari-BAT.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Confeserfidi: Italian mutual guarantee consortium (Confidi) within the Confesercenti system, providing credit guarantees and direct credit to SMEs and artisans. Highly comparable to COFIDI.IT in business model (Art. 106 TUB supervised), target segments (small retailers and artisans), and reliance on a sponsoring trade association for distribution.
• Eurofidi: Italian Confidi operating as a cooperative financial intermediary for SMEs, providing credit guarantees and direct financing across multiple regions. Comparable to COFIDI.IT in structure (member-owned cooperative), regulatory status, and SME guarantee products.
• Cooperfidi Italia: Consortium of cooperative credit guarantees serving Italian cooperative enterprises and SMEs. Comparable mutual guarantee structure and member-owned model, though with a focus on cooperative enterprises rather than artisans specifically.

Broad incumbents

• Artigiancassa (BNL BNP Paribas Group): Historic Italian credit institution specialized in artisans and SMEs, now part of BNL/BNP Paribas. Offers SME financing in overlapping artisan segments but as part of a large banking group rather than a mutual cooperative structure.
• Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP): Italy's national promotional financial institution providing funding to SMEs through intermediaries like COFIDI.IT. Acts as a wholesale capital provider rather than direct competitor, but a critical counterparty and counterpart in SME financing infrastructure.
• Mediocredito Centrale (MCC): State-backed manager of Italy's Central Guarantee Fund (Fondo Centrale di Garanzia) and direct counter-guarantee counterparty for COFIDI.IT. Operates at a much larger national scale as the systemic guarantee infrastructure layer, of which COFIDI.IT is a distribution node.

Regional players

• Artigianfidi Veneto: Regional Confidi serving artisans and SMEs in Veneto, with similar mutual guarantee products and direct credit offerings. Operates as a direct functional analog but in a different geographic region (northeast Italy vs. COFIDI.IT's southern Italy focus).
• Fidi Toscana: Tuscany-based mutual guarantee consortium providing credit guarantees and subsidized financing to SMEs. Comparable product portfolio and regulatory positioning, but operates in central Italy rather than COFIDI.IT's southern footprint.

Emerging players

• Garanzia Etica (Banca Etica): Ethical/impact-oriented guarantee vehicle affiliated with Banca Etica, focused on sustainable and social enterprises. Comparable SME guarantee products but with a narrower impact-focused niche and partial overlap with COFIDI.IT's general SME focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cofidi.it-soc.-coop.

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about COFIDI.IT soc. coop.