EIB Group’s €49 Million Guarantee Empowers Erste Bank to Boost SME Lending in Austria

EIB Group’s €49 Million Guarantee Empowers Erste Bank to Boost SME Lending in Austria

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) have joined forces to provide Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG (Erste Bank) with a €49 million guarantee for a synthetic securitisation transaction, marking Austria’s first such deal falling under the European label for simple, transparent, and standardised (STS) transactions. This initiative is set to unlock lending potential, enabling Erste Bank to allocate up to €196 million in loans to small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Austria. By leveraging this capital relief, Erste Bank aims to foster SME investments, bolstering Austria’s economic growth and resilience. EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros emphasized the significance of supporting SMEs, while EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt highlighted the extension of cooperation to facilitate financing opportunities for small businesses in Austria. Erste Bank Board Member for Corporate Clients Hans Unterdorfer expressed gratitude for the partnership, underscoring its role in advancing Austria’s economic and societal development through initiatives like the green transition and digitalization.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 11-Apr-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The EIB Group — consisting of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) — has provided Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG (Erste Bank) with a guarantee for a €49 million mezzanine tranche of a synthetic securitisation transaction. The transaction is expected to provide capital relief, as provided for by the EU Capital Requirements Regulation. It is the first synthetic securitisation transaction in Austria that qualifies as a simple, transparent and standardised (STS) transaction under the European Securitisation Regulation.

The capital relief will enhance Erste Bank’s risk-taking capacity and create additional lending headroom. As a result, Erste Bank will create a new portfolio of eligible loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Austria. The portfolio is set to be equal to four times the EIB’s guarantee amount, or up to €196 million. Thanks to this operation, the new portfolio will increase SME investments in Austria.

The operation is a synthetic securitisation whereby the EIF will issue a guarantee covering a mezzanine tranche for a total of €49 million referencing a granular portfolio of €907 million of loans to SMEs and mid-caps originated by Erste Bank. The guarantee will be fronted by the EIF and counter-guaranteed by the EIB for the entire amount. The transaction is structured with a two-year replenishment period and uses synthetic excess spread equivalent to the one-year expected loss of the reference portfolio.

EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros, who is responsible for operations in Austria, said: “The transaction with Erste Bank increases support for small and medium-sized companies, an important sector of the Austrian economy. I am glad that we can rely on Erste Bank as a trusted partner to provide the financial means needed by businesses in Austria in these challenging times.”

EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt added: “We are very happy to be extending our cooperation with Erste Bank through our proven securitisation expertise and toolkit deployed with the EIB to unlock financing opportunities for small businesses in Austria.”

Erste Bank Board Member for Corporate Clients Hans Unterdorfer stated: “This marks Erste Bank’s third synthetic securitisation collaboration with the EIB Group and the very first Austrian synthetic STS securitisation. We highly appreciate the partnership and productive cooperation with the EIB Group, as it supports us in pursuing our goal of always providing the best solutions to the market as a reliable, long-term partner to Austrian enterprises. With the assistance of these EIB Group funds, our clients can accelerate crucial initiatives such as the economy’s green transition and further digitalisation, thereby fostering key developmental strides for Austria’s economy and society.”

Background information

EIB

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances sound investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality. The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed a total of €88 billion in new financing for over 900 projects in 2023. These commitments are expected to mobilise around €320 billion in investment, supporting 400 000 companies and 5.4 million jobs.

All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and the convergence of living standards.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe’s micro, small and medium-sized businesses by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments that specifically target this market segment.

Erste Bank

Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG (Erste Bank) is the leading institute for Austria’s Sparkassen (saving banks). Together with the 46 regional Sparkassen, Erste Bank constitutes one of the largest banking groups in Austria, serving about 4.2 million customers, including through more than 765 branches. Erste Bank is part of Erste Group, the leading banking group in Central and Eastern Europe. In the financial year 2023, the operating result of Erste Bank and the Sparkassen amounted to €2.4 billion, earnings before tax were €2.1 billion, and total assets stood at €30 billion at the end of the period.

Media Contact:

Donata Riedel
d.riedel@eib.org
+352 4379 – 86192

Press Office
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SOURCE: European Investment Bank