Guarantees & collateral
Guarantee: Financing Despite Missing Collateral
If the bank lacks collateral, the guarantee bank (Bürgschaftsbank) guarantees up to 80% of the loan. We prepare your guarantee application to be bankable, on request directly through “Bürgschaft ohne Bank” (guarantee without a bank).
up to 80%
guaranteed
up to €2.0 million
Guarantee
4.9
on Google
Since 2018
Experience
- Up to 80% of the loan guaranteed
- Even without a house bank (BoB) up to €250,000
- Can be combined with KfW & state development banks
- Free & non-binding
- Reply within 24 hours
- No obligation
Qualifications & experience
Your project in experienced hands.
Our credentials and track record at a glance.
4.88 / 5
92 reviews on ProvenExpert
As of September 2026
750+
business plans written
Since 2018
Registration
BAFA register of consultants
Pavel Deuble, management consultant
Consultant ID 191790
What does this mean for you?
Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). Pavel Deuble, consultant ID 191790. Your BAFA-funded consulting must be provided by a listed consultant.
Provider approval
AZAV-approved provider
UW Unternehmensweg GmbH, our sister company
AZAV provider approval Z-000392-2
What does this mean for you?
AVGS programs may only be delivered by approved providers. Our sister company UW Unternehmensweg GmbH, Leverkusen, takes care of this.
Our service
KfW financing support
We put together the documents for your loan application, which your house bank forwards to KfW, and prepare you for the bank meeting.
In practice: Since 2018 we have written more than 750 business plans. 99% of the start-up grant (Gründungszuschuss) applications we supported were approved (internally documented). The start-up grant is a discretionary benefit under § 93 SGB III; the Employment Agency decides on approval.
Track record & funding notes
Listed in the BAFA register of consultants; AVGS programs through the AZAV-certified provider UW Unternehmensweg GmbH
4.88 out of 5 on ProvenExpert
Based on 92 reviews on ProvenExpert (as of October 2026).
What Is a Guarantee From the Guarantee Bank?
Many financing projects fail not because of the concept, but because of missing collateral. This is where the guarantee bank of your federal state steps in: it provides a default guarantee (Ausfallbürgschaft) to your house bank (Hausbank), so the bank receives the security it needs and can grant the loan.
The guarantee therefore replaces missing collateral. You repay the loan itself as usual; the guarantee only covers the bank’s risk.
Terms at a Glance (as of 2026)
The exact fees differ by federal state and may change (as of 2026). We check which variant suits you.
- Up to 80% of the credit risk is guaranteed
- Maximum guarantee amount is usually up to €2.0 million per company, uniform nationwide (including in NRW)
- Ongoing commission on the guaranteed amount plus a one-time processing fee (depending on the state/program)
- “Bürgschaft ohne Bank” (BoB): up to €250,000 directly at the guarantee bank, even before the meeting with the house bank
Requirements for a Guarantee
The guarantee bank’s preliminary review of your project is free of charge. Fees only apply once the guarantee is actually granted.
- A viable concept: the guarantee replaces missing collateral, not a weak business model
- The applicant’s personal creditworthiness and credit standing, with no serious negative entries
- A small or medium-sized enterprise, a start-up, or a freelance activity
- A bankable business plan with a financial plan and a liquidity plan as the basis for the decision
What Does a Guarantee Cost?
These costs come on top of the loan interest charged by your house bank. They are the price of making possible an investment that could not otherwise be financed. We calculate the exact amount with you in advance.
- One-time processing fee: approx. 1% of the guarantee amount (plus VAT), due when the guarantee is issued
- Ongoing guarantee commission: approx. 1–1.5% per year on the guaranteed amount (plus VAT), annually over the term
Am I Still Personally Liable With a Guarantee?
Yes, usually in part. Even though the guarantee bank covers up to 80% of the bank’s risk, it typically requires the main shareholders to take on personal joint liability for the guaranteed loan.
The default guarantee therefore protects the bank, but does not release you completely from personal responsibility. We address this openly: planning realistically for joint liability is better than being surprised later. We discuss with you in advance to what extent joint liability is realistic in your case.
When Does a Guarantee Make Sense?
A guarantee is worthwhile above all if:
- you lack sufficient collateral for the planned loan
- you are starting a business, growing, investing, or taking over a company
- you want to supplement KfW or state development bank financing
- you want to secure the approval first through “Bürgschaft ohne Bank”
How a Guarantee Works
- Choose the route: the classic way through the house bank or, in advance, directly as “Bürgschaft ohne Bank” (BoB)
- Submit documents: business plan, financial plan, liquidity plan, and collateral overview
- Free review by the guarantee bank for feasibility and viability
- Guarantee commitment: the guarantee bank commits to the default guarantee of up to 80%
- Loan granting: the house bank grants the loan with the guarantee as security
- Term: you repay the loan as usual, the guarantee commission runs annually
How We Support You
- Analysis of your collateral gap and the suitable route (BoB or through the house bank)
- Bankable business plan and financial plan as the basis for the guarantee
- Preparing the guarantee application and coordinating with the guarantee bank & house bank
- Combination with KfW development loans and state development bank programs
Personal Consulting, No Call Center
You have a dedicated contact person who knows your project and accompanies you from the first idea to implementation. On an equal footing, transparent, and tailored to your situation.
- A dedicated consultant instead of changing case handlers
- Bank-tested documents that meet funding requirements
- Support all the way to the meeting with the bank or authority
Points of contact
Key Points of Contact for Business Financing
These institutions are relevant for financing your project, from the development bank and the guarantee bank to the house bank. We know the requirements of all of them and prepare your application accordingly.
KfW – Germany’s federal development bank
Low-interest development loans for founding, investment, and growth (e.g., ERP development loan for SMEs). Applications are submitted through your house bank.
State development banks
Regional development loans, grants, and guarantees for each federal state: NRW.BANK, L-Bank, LfA Bayern, IBB, IFB, and others.
Guarantee banks
Default guarantees (up to 80%) if you lack standard bank collateral. Each federal state has its own guarantee bank.
Guarantees explained · You are here
Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaften (MBG, SME equity investment companies)
Silent partnership capital and mezzanine capital to strengthen your equity base, available in every federal state.
BAFA
Grant toward consulting costs through the “Förderung unternehmerischen Know-hows” program (funding of entrepreneurial know-how): 50% to 80% depending on where your company is based, application before consulting begins.
Federal funding database (Förderdatenbank des Bundes)
Official directory of all funding programs of the federal government, the states, and the EU, searchable by project and region.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) & Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer)
Free initial advice, financing consultation days, and, for funding applications, the expert opinion (fachkundige Stellungnahme) on viability.
House bank (Sparkasse, Volksbank, or commercial bank)
The first point of contact for financing: development loans run through the house bank principle, so the house bank reviews the application and passes it on to the development bank.
We put together the right funding mix for you. KfW, state development bank, guarantee, equity stake, or house bank loan: we choose the right combination and prepare your application to be bankable.
Official Sources, Information Sheets & Flyers
The authoritative primary sources to read up on: information sheets and program pages of the responsible funding bodies, as well as the relevant legal texts.
External links to official bodies, checked on June 19, 2026. Content and terms may change; the source itself is always authoritative.
Video testimonials
First-Hand Experiences
See how founders experienced the path to funded self-employment, with real names and verifiable on request.
4.9 / 5 · 65 Google reviews
In 30 minutes we answer all your questions, free of charge and without obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guarantees
How high can a guarantee be?
The guarantee bank guarantees up to 80% of the credit risk; the maximum guarantee amount is usually up to €2.0 million per company. This amount applies uniformly nationwide, including in NRW. For larger volumes there are state guarantees (Landesbürgschaften). As of 2026.
Is a guarantee possible without a house bank?
Yes. Through “Bürgschaft ohne Bank” (BoB), you can start directly at the guarantee bank in NRW if your guarantee requirement is up to €250,000; up to 80% is guaranteed. You obtain the commitment in advance and go into the bank meeting in a stronger position.
What does a guarantee cost?
A one-time processing fee of approx. 1% of the guarantee amount and an ongoing commission of approx. 1–1.5% per year on the guaranteed amount (each plus VAT) are customary, in addition to the loan interest charged by your house bank. The guarantee bank’s preliminary review is free of charge. We calculate the exact amount with you in advance.
Am I still personally liable with a guarantee?
Usually in part: the guarantee bank typically requires personal joint liability from the main shareholders. The guarantee covers the bank’s risk but does not fully replace your personal responsibility. We discuss with you in advance to what extent joint liability is realistic.
Is a guarantee also suitable for founders?
Yes, collateral is often missing precisely in the founding and growth phase. The default guarantee makes the financing possible in the first place and combines well with KfW loans and state development bank programs.
Financing Despite Missing Collateral
In the free initial consultation we review your collateral gap and the right route to a guarantee.