ING and European Investment Bank Launch €800 Million Financing Programme to Support SME Sustainability in Netherlands and Belgium

ING and European Investment Bank Launch €800 Million Financing Programme to Support SME Sustainability in Netherlands and Belgium

(IN BRIEF) ING and the European Investment Bank have launched an €800 million financing initiative to support SMEs and mid-cap companies in the Netherlands and Belgium in becoming more sustainable and future-ready. The facility combines €400 million from the EIB with €400 million from ING, offering businesses access to lower-cost financing for sustainability-related investments. Building on a long-standing partnership that has already supported thousands of companies, the initiative aims to accelerate the energy transition, strengthen economic resilience, and enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy. The programme is expected to boost investment capacity and encourage businesses to adopt greener, more competitive operating models.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 15-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — ING and the European Investment Bank have expanded their collaboration to provide €800 million in financing aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies in the Netherlands and Belgium accelerate their transition towards more sustainable and resilient business models.

Under the agreement, the EIB will extend a €400 million loan to ING, which will match this amount with an additional €400 million, creating a combined financing facility. Of the total, €500 million will be allocated to businesses in the Netherlands, while €300 million will support companies in Belgium.

The partnership enables businesses to access financing on more favourable terms, including reduced interest rates on loans and leasing arrangements tied to sustainability-focused investments. This is expected to support companies in implementing energy-efficient solutions, adopting greener technologies, and strengthening long-term competitiveness.

The collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between ING and the EIB. Since 2009, eight previous joint programmes have supported more than 4,100 companies, delivering a total of €2.85 billion in financing across both markets.

Laurens de Vos, Head of Business Banking at ING Netherlands, highlighted the importance of the initiative in supporting companies through the energy transition, noting that the facility will help businesses both reduce their environmental impact and strengthen their readiness for future economic challenges.

Saskia Bauters, Head of Business Banking at ING Belgium, emphasised that the financial advantages made possible by the EIB’s involvement will increase the investment capacity of SMEs. She pointed out that this support is expected to encourage businesses to adopt sustainable and future-proof operating models more quickly and effectively, with the facility set to become available to customers in the near term.

Chantal Schrijver, Head of the EIB Office in the Netherlands, underlined the strategic importance of reducing dependence on external energy sources. She noted that initiatives like this provide companies with the financial flexibility needed to invest in sustainability while contributing to Europe’s broader goal of strengthening economic autonomy.

Torsten Brand, Head of the EIB Office in Belgium, added that the partnership will expand access to financing for SMEs at a time when long-term investment decisions are critical. He highlighted sustainability as a key priority and welcomed the opportunity to support businesses in making forward-looking investments alongside ING.

Background information

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: climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, territorial cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, strong global partnerships and the savings and investments union. Beyond long-term loans for large infrastructure, the EIB Group crowds in private investment for high-risk innovative projects and businesses, with a growing role in Europe’s markets for venture debt, venture capital, guarantees and securitisations.

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

ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. Its mission is to help people stay a step ahead in life and in business. With more than 60 000 employees, ING Bank serves retail and business customers in over 40 countries.

ING Group shares are listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (INGA NA, INGA.AS), the Brussels Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (American depositary receipts: ING US, ING.N).

Sustainability is an integral part of ING’s business strategy. ING is included in the FTSE4Good Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (Europe and World), where it ranks among the leading companies in the banking sector. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy – so is ING and so are its customers. While ING finances many sustainable activities, a larger share of its financing is still directed elsewhere. Find out more about the progress it is making at ING and a sustainable society.

For more information and (royalty-free) images and video material, please visit nieuws.ing.nl or follow us on X: @INGnl_nieuws.

Media Contact:

Tim Smit
t.smit@eib.org
+352 4379 – 89076

Press Office

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SOURCE: European Investment Bank