Starting next week, Firmeo – a business lending company owned by Hive Finance Group – will be listed on the Hive5 investment platform. The listing will launch with €100,000 in 6-month business loans offering a 13% annual return to investors and will support Firmeo’s business development. The funds will be used to finance operational growth, IT development, marketing, taxes and other business needs. This launch comes at a time when investors are increasingly seeking stable short-term returns, while Polish SMEs continue to face limited access to fast and flexible financing.
About Firmeo
Firmeo specialises in financing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), businesses that often face challenges securing credit from traditional banks. With a fully online application process and credit decisions in as little as 24 hours, Firmeo makes funding accessible, fast, and transparent. Loan amounts will range from PLN 10,000 to PLN 500,000 (approx. €2,300 - €110,000), with flexible repayment terms between 3 and 12 months.
SMEs Drive Growth—but Lack Financing Options
Poland has 2.78 million registered companies, of which an overwhelming 99.8% are SMEs. These firms power employment, exports, and productivity—but access to capital remains their biggest growth barrier:
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Only 48% of SMEs use external financing (vs. 71% in the Czech Republic)
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66.9% rely solely on their own funds
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Banks continue to apply strict collateral and documentation requirements
This long-standing credit deficit has suppressed SME growth for over 15 years, creating sustained demand for flexible financing solutions—especially for working capital loans in sectors like construction, logistics, transport, and retail.
Alternative Lending is Accelerating in Poland
Non-bank business finance has been expanding steadily and now plays a critical economic role:
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Factoring volumes increased 10× in the last 15 years to €110.9B
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Leasing volumes tripled to €15.9B since 2008
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SME non-performing loans dropped from 14.6% in 2010 to 9.7% today
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Alternative lending is growing 10–15% annually
These trends show a maturing market with rising investor confidence and growing SME adoption of fintech-led lending.
Firmeo Led by Proven Credit Expertise
Firmeo’s lending strategy is guided by Wojciech Homan, Managing Director of Firmeo and Ekspres Pożyczka in Poland. With over 20 years of experience in lending and risk management, W. Homan previously held leadership roles at Provident, one of Poland’s largest consumer finance companies, and other major lending institutions.
Under his leadership, Ekspres Pożyczka—also part of Hive Finance Group—has demonstrated strong portfolio resilience and consistent profitability since launching in 2022. During this period, investors on Hive5 earned a total of €1.28 million in interest. Homan’s disciplined approach to credit and risk has set a benchmark within the group, which Firmeo now leverages in the SME lending space.
Hive5 – Secured Investment with Buyback Protection
Firmeo’s business loans will be available exclusively on Hive5, a platform also owned by Hive Finance Group. Every investment is protected by a Buyback Obligation: if a borrower is over 60 days late, the loan originator must buy back the loan in full, along with accrued interest.
Zero late loans
More importantly, we operate under a zero-late-loan policy. We ensure that investors receive their expected payments on time. If a borrower fails to pay, hive5 provides immediate repayment and separately manages the debt collection process.
Transparency and trust
We prioritise clear communication and full transparency with our investors. Monthly platform reports and detailed loan originator performance updates are available for review at any time. Furthermore, our rating on Trustpilot is 4.5, which demonstrates our commitment to investor satisfaction and trust.
