EIB Group and Mediocredito Centrale Partner to Unlock Over €400 Million in Financing for Italian SMEs and Mid-Caps

EIB Group and Mediocredito Centrale Partner to Unlock Over €400 Million in Financing for Italian SMEs and Mid-Caps

(IN BRIEF) The EIB Group, comprising the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, has partnered with Mediocredito Centrale Group to mobilize over €400 million in financing for SMEs and mid-cap companies in Italy. Through a securitisation transaction involving residential mortgage loans originated by BdM Banca, the EIB and EIF have invested €200 million in senior securities, enabling the MCC Group to expand its lending capacity and generate at least double the amount in new loans. The funding will primarily support businesses in cohesion regions and Italy’s special economic zone, with a significant portion also allocated to agribusiness projects focused on sustainability and climate adaptation. The initiative aims to strengthen the real economy, enhance access to financing, and promote long-term economic growth.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 20-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund, together forming the EIB Group, have entered into a financing agreement with Mediocredito Centrale Group to support investment by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies across Italy. The initiative is expected to unlock more than €400 million in new financing, strengthening access to capital for businesses operating in key sectors of the Italian economy.

The transaction is structured as a securitisation involving residential mortgage loans originated by BdM Banca S.p.A., part of the Mediocredito Centrale Group. Within this framework, the EIB and EIF have subscribed to the Senior A2 tranche, contributing €150 million and €50 million respectively, for a total of €200 million. This arrangement enables the MCC Group to expand its lending capacity, committing to generate new financing volumes of at least twice the amount provided by the EIB Group.

Through this mechanism, the investment will facilitate the creation of a new portfolio of loans distributed via the MCC Group’s network of subsidiaries. The initiative is designed to channel funding into the real economy, supporting business investment projects with a particular emphasis on regions included in Italy’s single special economic zone, introduced by the government in 2025.

A significant portion of the funding—more than 60%—will be directed toward productive activities located in cohesion regions and within the special economic zone. In addition, 30% of the available resources will be allocated to agribusinesses throughout Italy, with the aim of supporting sustainability initiatives and climate adaptation efforts in the agricultural sector.

Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, highlighted that the agreement is intended to stimulate economic growth in targeted regions while strengthening the investment capacity of SMEs and mid-sized companies. She also noted the importance of directing dedicated resources to the agrifood sector, given its role in employment, sustainability, and regional resilience.

Francesco Minotti, Chief Executive Officer of Mediocredito Centrale, emphasized that the collaboration enhances the Group’s ability to mobilize financial resources and deploy them effectively in support of the real economy. He pointed out that the majority of funds will be focused on innovative and ambitious projects, particularly those located in cohesion regions and within the special economic zone, in line with the Group’s strategic objectives.

Overall, the agreement demonstrates how structured financial instruments such as securitisation can be used to expand lending capacity and support investment, enabling businesses to access financing on more favorable terms while contributing to sustainable economic development.

EIB Group

The European Investment Bank (ElB) Group is the financing arm of the European Union, owned by the 27 Member States, and one of the leading multilateral development banks in the world. In 2025, the EIB Group signed €100 billion in new financing to support more than 870 high-impact projects under eight strategic priorities contributing to EU objectives: climate action and environmental protection, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, robust global partnerships, and a savings and investments union. In addition to providing long-term loans for major infrastructure work, the EIB Group unlocks private investment for high-risk innovative businesses and projects. It also plays an increasingly important role in Europe’s markets for venture debt, venture capital, guarantees and securitisations.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is the subsidiary of the EIB Group specialised in providing guarantees and equity. It is specifically tasked with improving access to finance for small and medium 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 members of the EIB Group and its headquarters, logos and B-rolls for use by the media can be found here.

Mediocredito Centrale Group

Mediocredito Centrale (MCC) is a publicly-owned bank that supports Italian companies, promoting competitiveness and innovation, with a particular focus on small and medium businesses and the regions of southern Italy. We are the leading bank in the innovative finance sector, focused mainly on basket bond programmes. As manager of the Guarantee Fund facilitating access to finance for small and medium businesses and thanks to the management of the Sustainable Growth Fund for R&D, MCC is one of Italy’s key players in the field of public incentives.

Mediocredito Centrale is the parent company of the banking group of the same name, which also includes BdM Banca, Cassa di Risparmio di Orvieto and Artigiancassa. The group works together to support families, micro, small and medium businesses and skilled tradespeople at regional level.

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