A cooperative built on mutual trust and shared financial strength

Our mission

FIDIMED exists to make bank financing accessible for enterprises that might otherwise struggle to secure credit on reasonable terms. As a Società Cooperativa di Garanzia Collettiva dei Fidi per Azioni, we operate on a simple principle: businesses are stronger together than alone.

When an SME applies for a bank loan, lenders typically require collateral that small businesses cannot always provide. FIDIMED steps in by issuing a guarantee to the bank, backed by the collective resources of our membership. This allows enterprises to obtain financing with reduced collateral, improved rates, and terms that reflect the shared creditworthiness of the cooperative rather than the isolated profile of a single company.

Our mission extends beyond the guarantee itself. We advise members on financial planning, help them navigate complex lending processes, and serve as a trusted intermediary between enterprises and banking institutions across Sicily and the broader Italian market.

How the cooperative model works

FIDIMED is a Confidi — a mutual guarantee consortium recognised within the Italian financial system and supervised by the Bank of Italy. Member businesses purchase shares in the cooperative, contributing to a collective guarantee fund. When a member needs financing, that fund backs the guarantee issued to the lending bank.

This structure creates a virtuous cycle: every member has a stake in the financial health of every other member. The cooperative evaluates guarantee requests with care, knowing that the collective bears the risk. Banks benefit from a reliable counterparty. And enterprises gain access to credit that would otherwise be out of reach.

Who we serve

FIDIMED serves small and medium-sized enterprises across Sicily and the surrounding regions. Our members span a range of sectors:

• Manufacturing and artisan workshops
• Retail and commercial businesses
• Agriculture and agri-food enterprises
• Construction and building trades
• Tourism and hospitality
• Professional services and consultancy

Regardless of sector, the common thread is a sound business proposition that deserves access to fair financing. FIDIMED evaluates each application on its merits, looking at the enterprise's financial health, business plan, and repayment capacity.

Our location and reach

FIDIMED is headquartered at Via Siracusa 1/E in Palermo, placing us at the heart of Sicily's economic activity. From this base, we serve member enterprises across the region and maintain relationships with banking partners throughout Italy.

Palermo has long been a crossroads of commerce and culture. Our presence here keeps us connected to the businesses, trade associations, and institutions that shape the regional economy. We believe that understanding the local context is essential to making sound guarantee decisions.