Allianz Bank Bulgaria to Expand Business Lending Under New EIB Group Synthetic Securitisation Agreement

Allianz Bank Bulgaria to Expand Business Lending Under New EIB Group Synthetic Securitisation Agreement

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank Group and Allianz Bank Bulgaria have signed a new synthetic securitisation agreement that will unlock around €340 million in new financing for Bulgarian SMEs and Mid-Cap companies over the next three years. By transferring part of the credit risk on an existing loan portfolio to the EIB Group, the transaction frees up lending capacity for Allianz Bank Bulgaria and allows the bank to expand financing for businesses across the country. More than €80 million of the new lending will be dedicated to climate action and environmental sustainability projects. Under the agreement, the European Investment Fund will provide protection on a €30.3 million mezzanine tranche, counter-guaranteed by the EIB, as well as protection on a senior tranche of around €219 million, partially counter-guaranteed by the EIB. The deal is the second synthetic securitisation between Allianz Bank Bulgaria and the EIB Group, following a similar 2023 agreement supporting Bulgarian SMEs and environmental projects.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 5-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises and Mid-Cap companies are set to benefit from around €340 million in new financing under a fresh agreement between the European Investment Bank Group and Allianz Bank Bulgaria.

The agreement will enable Allianz Bank Bulgaria to expand lending to businesses across the country by transferring part of the credit risk on an existing loan portfolio to the EIB Group. The transaction uses a financial instrument known as synthetic securitisation, which helps free up lending capacity and allows the bank to provide additional financing to the real economy.

Under the arrangement, Allianz Bank Bulgaria has committed to making around €340 million in new loans available to Bulgarian SMEs and Mid-Caps over the next three years. More than €80 million of this lending will support climate action and environmental sustainability projects, helping companies invest in greener operations while contributing to Bulgaria’s wider economic development.

EIB Vice-President Marek Mora said the agreement demonstrates how innovative financial tools can generate practical benefits for the real economy. He noted that by providing capital relief to Allianz Bank Bulgaria, the EIB Group is helping unlock more financing for Bulgarian small businesses and Mid-Caps, enabling them to invest, expand, create jobs and move towards more sustainable business models.

As part of the transaction, the European Investment Fund, the EIB Group’s specialist arm for SME finance, is providing protection on a mezzanine tranche of €30.3 million, backed by a counter-guarantee from the EIB. The EIF is also providing protection on a senior tranche of around €219 million, which is partially counter-guaranteed by the EIB.

The underlying portfolio consists of SME and consumer loans with an outstanding balance of approximately €252 million. Allianz Bank Bulgaria will retain the junior tranche of the portfolio, amounting to around €3.2 million.

Georgi Zamanov, Chief Executive Officer of Allianz Bank Bulgaria, said the partnership with the EIB Group is a strategic step for the bank and will significantly expand its support for the Bulgarian business sector. He said the bank’s focus is to provide accessible and flexible financing for companies investing in development, innovation and sustainable growth. Through the cooperation, more businesses will be able to implement investment plans and strengthen their long-term competitiveness.

Lyuba Pavlova, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Allianz Bank Bulgaria, said synthetic securitisation is an effective instrument for optimising capital and improving the bank’s risk profile. She added that the transaction allows the bank to free up resources for new lending while maintaining a strong capital position and a clear focus on sustainable and environmentally responsible investment.

The new agreement is the second synthetic securitisation transaction between Allianz Bank Bulgaria and the EIB Group. The first was signed in December 2023 and included protection on a mezzanine tranche of €29 million and a senior tranche of more than €175 million. That transaction also supported financing for Bulgarian SMEs, with a focus on environmentally sustainable projects.

EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt said securitisation is an effective way to broaden access to affordable finance for small businesses while supporting Europe’s climate and growth objectives. She added that the second synthetic securitisation with Allianz Bank Bulgaria reflects the strength of the partnership and a shared commitment to mobilising private capital for environmentally sustainable SME investment.

The agreement strengthens the EIB Group’s support for Bulgarian businesses and reinforces the role of financial institutions in channelling capital towards investment, innovation, job creation and the green transition.

EIB Group

The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is the financing arm of the European Union, owned by the 27 Member States, and one of the largest multilateral development banks in the world. In 2025, the EIB Group signed €100 billion in new financing and advisory services for over 870 high-impact projects under eight core priorities that support EU policy objectives. In Bulgaria, the EIB Group committed over €646 million in 2025, a 72% increase compared to the previous year.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is the subsidiary of the EIB Group specialised in providing guarantees and equity to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses and startups across Europe. Acting as an anchor investor, through its extensive network of partnering banks and investment funds, the EIF mobilises private investment and nurtures the ecosystem of venture capital funds to support innovative European entrepreneurs.

Photos of the EIB Group’s representatives and headquarters, logo files and video B-roll for media use are available here.

Allianz Bank Bulgaria

Allianz Bank Bulgaria is a universal bank with more than 25 years of experience on the Bulgarian market, offering a full range of financial services to individual and corporate clients. The bank is part of Allianz SE – one of the world’s leading financial services providers, serving over 97 million customers in around 70 countries.

Allianz Bank Bulgaria is among the leading banks in the country and ranks in the top 10 of the Bulgarian banking sector, according to Capital’s ranking. The bank follows a sustainable development model, with a strong focus on business financing, innovation and long-term economic growth, while supporting the transition to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible economy.

Media Contact:

Tsvetelia Tsolova
t.tsolova@ext.eib.org
+352 4379 – 70065

Press Office
press@eib.org
+352 43791

SOURCE: European Investment Bank