Groupe BPCE and EIB Join Forces to Provide €300 Million for Green Transition of SMEs and Mid-Caps

Groupe BPCE and EIB Join Forces to Provide €300 Million for Green Transition of SMEs and Mid-Caps

(IN BRIEF) Groupe BPCE and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have collaborated to offer a €300 million package aimed at facilitating the green transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies. This partnership enables Groupe BPCE to provide financing and leasing solutions for green investments, with the capacity to offer up to €16 million in funding for mobility, energy efficiency, and renewable energy projects spanning France, Spain, and Italy. Eligible projects encompass a wide range of initiatives, including electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy-efficient equipment, and commercial real estate renovations for improved energy performance. This collaboration aligns with BPCE Lease’s commitment to integrating environmental considerations across its operations through the Lease Impact program and contributes to advancing the energy transition. EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle emphasized the importance of such financing to support European SMEs and mid-caps in their green endeavors.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 12-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The €300 million package is designed to support the green transition of SMEs and mid-caps. With the EIB financing, Groupe BPCE will be able to help its customers by offering leasing solutions suitable for green investments, and providing financing of up to €16 million with terms of up to 15 years for mobility, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

The financing will cover new equipment, financial, real estate and long-term leasing agreements in France (metropolitan and overseas), Spain and Italy. These agreements will have attractive financial conditions and the maturities will take into account the specific characteristics of green assets.

The types of projects eligible for funding are broad. For example, they include electric vehicles and transport equipment, charging infrastructure, forklifts, the replacement of electric motors or speed drives on industrial motors, and photovoltaic installations.

The partnership is part of BPCE Lease’s 2019 strategy to integrate the environment into all its activities, processes and organisational aspects through the Lease Impact programme.

This has enabled BPCE Lease to offer solutions in three key areas for businesses — mobility, energy efficiency and energy production — through a full range of solutions and advisory services.

Commercial real estate is also covered, with the possibility of financing building renovations to improve energy performance, LED lighting installations, boiler replacements and new building construction.

Didier Trupin, chief executive officer of BPCE Lease, said: “This agreement with the EIB is real recognition of BPCE Lease’s many years of excellent work putting the energy transition at the heart of its growth model. The energy transition has become a concern for us all, from businesses and local and regional authorities to the social and solidarity economy. BPCE Lease helps its customers find the best solutions for electric vehicle fleets and charging infrastructure, less energy-intensive and less polluting buildings and equipment, and renewable energy production units.”

EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle said: “The EIB is very pleased to be able to continue financing the energy transition of SMEs and mid-caps together with our long-standing partner Groupe BPCE. Such financing is a priority for the European Union and its climate bank. By providing access to attractive credit solutions alongside our banking partners, we can support investment and help businesses grow.”

Background information

About BPCE Lease

BPCE Lease is a specialist lease financing subsidiary of Groupe BPCE. As a key player on the leasing market in France, BPCE Lease supports companies and small business professionals in all their equipment and real estate leasing projects. It develops and distributes one of the broadest ranges of integrated solutions on the market, spanning equipment and real estate leasing, financial leasing, long-term vehicle leasing, renewable energy financing, IT operating leasing and boat leasing. BPCE Lease caters to all market segments, including large corporates, SMEs, institutions, the social economy sector, small business professionals and individuals.

About the European Investment Bank

The EIB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by the 27 EU Member States. In 2019, it adopted an ambitious roadmap to become the EU climate bank. The EIB has pledged to support €1 trillion in climate action and environmental sustainability investment by 2030 and to devote more than half of its financing to climate change mitigation and adaptation by 2025. In 2022, it had already achieved this target in France, directing more than 70% of its €8.4 billion in loans to climate action through renewable energy, building energy efficiency and sustainable mobility projects.

Media Contact:

Christophe Alix
c.alix@eib.org
+352 4379 – 84303

Press Office

press@eib.org
+352 4379 – 21000

SOURCE: European Investment Bank