EBRD and Credo Bank Strengthen Access to Local Currency Finance for Georgian Small Businesses

EBRD and Credo Bank Strengthen Access to Local Currency Finance for Georgian Small Businesses

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing a loan of up to US$40 million, equivalent to €34.6 million, to Credo Bank to expand financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Georgia. The facility will help improve access to medium-term finance for MSMEs, especially businesses in regional areas and companies led or owned by women. By offering funding in local currency, the EBRD is helping reduce foreign-exchange risk and address the limited availability of affordable mid-term financing in Georgian lari. At least 45 per cent of the loan proceeds will be directed to women-led and women-owned businesses, supporting greater inclusion and helping narrow gender gaps in access to finance. The investment will also allow Credo Bank to reach more clients in underserved and rural markets, strengthening competitiveness and resilience across Georgia’s MSME sector. The transaction builds on the long-standing partnership between the EBRD and Credo Bank and aligns with the EBRD’s strategy to support private-sector development, financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth in Georgia.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 4-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is expanding its support for Georgia’s private sector with a loan of up to US$40 million, equivalent to €34.6 million, to Credo Bank to increase financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.

The new funding will enable Credo Bank to provide medium-term finance to Georgian MSMEs, with particular attention to businesses operating outside major urban centres and companies led or owned by women. The facility is designed to improve access to capital for smaller enterprises that play an important role in Georgia’s economy, employment and regional development.

A key feature of the financing is its availability in local currency. By extending funding in Georgian lari, the EBRD is helping address one of the main challenges faced by local businesses: limited access to affordable mid-term credit without taking on foreign-exchange risk. This approach is expected to support the stability, growth and resilience of MSMEs at a time when access to suitable financing remains essential for business development.

The loan also has a strong inclusion component. Credo Bank will allocate at least 45 per cent of the proceeds to women-led and women-owned enterprises, supporting efforts to narrow gender gaps in access to finance and strengthen women’s participation in the economy. By targeting women entrepreneurs, the facility aims to create broader opportunities for business growth, income generation and local employment.

The investment will also help Credo Bank deepen its reach in regional markets and serve new clients, particularly in areas where smaller businesses often face more limited access to formal finance. This expanded outreach is expected to contribute to stronger competitiveness across Georgia’s MSME sector and support more balanced economic development beyond the country’s main business centres.

Credo Bank is a long-standing partner of the EBRD and one of Georgia’s leading banks focused on MSME financing. With a wide regional network and established experience in serving rural, underserved and smaller business communities, the bank is well positioned to channel the new funding to enterprises that need accessible and reliable financing.

The facility supports the EBRD’s country strategy for Georgia, which focuses on strengthening private-sector resilience, improving competitiveness and widening access to economic opportunities. The transaction builds on the EBRD’s long-term engagement in Georgia, where it has invested more than €5.79 billion across 318 projects since beginning operations in the country in 1996.

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SOURCE: EBRD