Functions and Importance of Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau as a Bank Supporting the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Germany

Extreme importance of the small and medium-sized enterprises for the functioning of the economy is unquestionable. However, this sector often does not have enough prospects for development, especially in the countries transforming their economy. The solution to this problem could be creation of so called “supporting banks” , of which the example is Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau, functioning in Germany for the last 50 years. This institution is inseparably connected with the concept of social and economic order in Germany after the II World War, called “social market economy”. Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau, established to help rebuild Germany after the war, in time received a status of a bank supporting the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises. Up to date this support is the main aspect of the bank’s activity. The enterprises belonging to this sector are being supported financially by access to low interest credits and venture capital investments.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej nauk