Intesa Sanpaolo partners with EIB to mobilise €1.9 billion for SMEs and mid-caps in Italy

Intesa Sanpaolo partners with EIB to mobilise €1.9 billion for SMEs and mid-caps in Italy

(IN BRIEF) Intesa Sanpaolo and the European Investment Bank have completed two financing agreements worth €700 million to support SMEs and mid-cap companies in Italy. The package includes a €500 million covered bond purchased by the EIB to expand business lending and a €200 million EIB risk-sharing guarantee to support new mid-cap investments. Together, the operations are expected to mobilise around €1.9 billion in investment, with €450 million earmarked for green projects. The initiative aims to boost access to finance, promote climate action and support economic development, particularly in southern Italy.

(PRESS RELEASE) MILAN, 22-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Intesa Sanpaolo  has finalised two new financing agreements totalling €700 million with the European Investment Bank, aimed at expanding access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-cap companies across Italy. The two operations are expected to support around 1,000 businesses and mobilise approximately €1.9 billion in investment in the real economy, including about €450 million directed toward green projects.

The agreements were announced by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Intesa Sanpaolo’s Head of Domestic Commercial Banking Stefano Barrese. Together, the initiatives are designed to strengthen lending capacity for Italian companies, with particular attention to sustainability objectives and economic development, including in southern Italy.

The first transaction involves the EIB’s purchase of a €500 million covered bond issued by Intesa Sanpaolo. The proceeds will be used to support loans to SMEs and mid-caps, with 25% of the funding allocated to climate-related investments such as energy efficiency projects, renewable energy initiatives and sustainable mobility. Part of the financing may also be directed toward southern Italy, including areas eligible for additional support under the ZES Unica special economic zone. This operation is expected to mobilise around €1.4 billion in new investment.

The second agreement consists of a €200 million risk-sharing guarantee provided by the EIB to Intesa Sanpaolo to support new lending to Italian mid-cap companies. Through this mechanism, the EIB will share the credit risk associated with the underlying loans, enabling Intesa Sanpaolo to expand its financing capacity and promote further productive investment. Around 25% of the guarantee-backed financing will support climate action, with the operation expected to generate an estimated €500 million in investment. The guarantee is part of the REPowerEU, which aims to strengthen Europe’s energy security through investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and power grids.

Representatives from both institutions highlighted the role of long-term partnerships in connecting financial resources with the needs of the real economy, supporting sustainable growth strategies and enhancing the competitiveness of Italian SMEs and mid-cap companies.

Press contacts

EIB:
Lorenzo Squintani, l.squintani@eib.org, press@eib.org, mobile: +39 366 57 90 312
Website: www.eib.org/press

Intesa Sanpaolo
Media Relations Domestic Commercial Banking and Local Media
stampa@intesasanpaolo.com

SOURCE:  Intesa Sanpaolo