Interview series with Kamuno CEO Regis Lehmann

Find out in our series how Kamuno was founded, how the team came together and why we are certain that Kamuno is the best answer to the challenges that SMEs regularly face.

Regis, what has inspired you to inspired you to a company in the financial sector to in the financial sector?

Regis: I have worked in the banking sector my entire career to date. In Switzerland for over 20 years now, since I moved here with my family from Alsace in 2003. Friends and relatives have always complained to me about how difficult and tedious it is to obtain financing as a small company. When it comes to overcoming a financial bottleneck, but also when money is needed for investments.

I then took a closer look at this. And I actually heard from SMEs that their bank managers promised them that they would always be there for them and support them. However, if a more difficult situation arises, support is often limited and SMEs are left to fend for themselves. Often the last resort is to turn to friends and family. That can't be right! And this is exactly what the Urner Kantonalbank has recognized. That's why we founded Kamuno to provide SMEs with easy access to loans.

However, this is only the first step: I want Kamuno to become the first choice for SMEs as an innovative financial services provider, starting with financing solutions but already planning to expand with additional products and services. Partnerships will also be added to the portfolio where they are useful for SMEs.

Which specific challenges for SMEs would you like to tackle with Kamuno's financing solutions?

Regis: 95% of the working population in Switzerland is employed in an SME, which clearly shows the importance of SMEs in the Swiss economy. And yet there is a lack of simple solutions for SME financing.

CS was relatively well positioned in the SME sector until it was acquired by UBS and the SME financing business fell somewhat behind.

We see this as an opportunity to work with strong partners to create an offering that can provide SMEs with quick, simple and uncomplicated financing.

With Kamuno, I want to become the strong partner for SMEs that you can rely on. Our solutions are innovative and yet easy to use for SMEs.  

How differs is your approach from other financial service providers on the market?

Regis: We take a holistic approach with Kamuno: from onboarding to supporting SMEs in their day-to-day business, Kamuno is the partner that SMEs can rely on.

What makes us special is that we proactively show SMEs which credit line is realistic for them - within just a few minutes.

First and foremost, we want to serve our SMEs quickly and provide them with a simple and fast application. The decision on the loan application and disbursement will also be made within a few days. This is because liquidity is often needed very quickly.

This is made possible by the use of digital and highly automated tools. The aim is to be able to offer SMEs uncomplicated and fast support.

Test it yourself in our simulator or send us your request for an SME loan directly

About Regis:
Regis Lehmann was born in Alsacein 1976 , is married and has three children and a Bernese mountain dog. He started his career at General Electrics (GE) in an international program where he held various management positions in England, Germany, Ireland, America and France. In 2003, Regis moved to Switzerland with his family and continued his employment with GE Money Bank. In 2006, Regis launched the MBudget/M-Cumulus Mastercard credit card, the first chip & pin credit card in Switzerland , in collaboration with Migros and shortly afterwards became a member of the Executive Board of GE Money Bank. In 2013, he accompanied the IPO (initial public offering) and was then a member of the Executive Board of Cembra Money Bank. In 2021, he joined DAI Group as Managing Partner. In September 2023, he founded Kamuno AG with three partners and UKB.