Category Archives: Economy

Economy Press Releases & News distributed via EuropaWire

Catalan SMEs to Benefit from €100 Million EIB–ICF Green Investment Loan

(IN BRIEF) The EIB and ICF have launched a €100 million loan—the initial tranche of a total €200 million facility—to finance sustainability-focused projects by Catalan SMEs. ICF will use these funds to underwrite investments in renewable energy systems, energy-efficiency retrofits, … Read the full press release

SIX and Pictet Complete Switzerland’s First Regulated Fractional Tokenization of Corporate Bonds

(IN BRIEF) SIX and Banque Pictet & Cie SA have completed a pilot project tokenizing EUR- and CHF-denominated corporate bonds on the SDX platform, then allocating fractional bond holdings to Pictet Asset Management SA portfolios via their custody bank accounts. … Read the full press release

Lloyds Banking Group and Foundations Launch £4.2 Million Fund to Boost Financial Resilience Through UK Charities

(IN BRIEF) Lloyds Banking Group and its four charitable Foundations have introduced a £4.2 million Financial Resilience fund to reinforce UK charities supporting financially vulnerable individuals. Research shows 4.3 million people turned to charities for help in the last three … Read the full press release

EIB Provides €150 Million to Fuel Alfasigma’s 2025–2027 R&D in Specialty and Rare-Disease Medicines

(IN BRIEF) The EIB has extended a €150 million loan to Alfasigma to fund its R&D efforts from 2025 to 2027, targeting new drugs in gastroenterology, hepatology, vascular medicine, rheumatology, and rare diseases. The financing, endorsed by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina … Read the full press release

German SMEs Rely on Promotional Funds for 22 Percent of Their Climate Investments in 2023, KfW Analysis Shows

(IN BRIEF) The 2023 KfW Climate Barometer special analysis shows that German SMEs now finance 22 percent of their climate investments through public promotional funds—up three points since 2021—while promotional support makes up only 13 percent of overall SME investment. … Read the full press release

EBRD and EIB Launch €410 Million Ukraine FIRST Fund to Catalyse Urban, Energy, and Tourism Recovery

(IN BRIEF) At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome (10–11 July 2025), the EBRD will present a comprehensive €410 million financing package for urban development and sustainable tourism via the Ukraine FIRST Cooperation Fund, co-managed with the EIB. Funds flow … Read the full press release

EIB Mobilises €410 Million via Arcano and Buenavista Funds to Boost Spanish Urban Regeneration and Green Tourism

(IN BRIEF) The EIB has signed €410 million in agreements with Arcano Partners (€210 million) and Buenavista Infrastructure (€200 million) to finance urban development and sustainable tourism projects across Spain. The funds, sourced from the EU-financed Regional Resilience Fund under … Read the full press release

Barclays Appoints Khaled El Dabag and Walid Mezher as Joint CEOs to Accelerate Middle East Growth

(IN BRIEF) Barclays has appointed Khaled El Dabag and Walid Mezher as Co-CEOs for its Middle East region, reporting to BBPLC President Stephen Dainton. El Dabag, with 25 years of investment banking experience in Dubai and New York, has led … Read the full press release

Aviva Capital Partners and Moda Secure Over £200 Million to Deliver Nearly 1,000 Build-to-Rent Homes with 20 Percent Affordable Units in Digbeth

(IN BRIEF) Aviva Capital Partners and Moda Group, in partnership with NatWest, Homes England, and the WMCA, have secured over £200 million to develop Stone Yard, a build-to-rent community in Digbeth, Birmingham. Phase one will deliver 605 high-quality rental homes … Read the full press release

Garanti BBVA Launches My Banker to Deliver Bespoke Banking and Premium Lifestyle Perks to Affluent Clients

IN BRIEF) Garanti BBVA’s new My Banker program assigns each affluent customer a dedicated relationship manager and support team, delivering tailored financial advice, priority service, and a host of lifestyle benefits under one umbrella. Accessible via both physical branches and … Read the full press release

NLB Lease&Go and Summit Leasing Unite to Create Regional Leasing Powerhouse

(IN BRIEF) NLB Group has merged NLB Lease&Go into Summit Leasing Slovenija, completing regulatory steps and preparing for operational integration this weekend. The unified entity, branded NLB Lease&Go from July 7, will leverage combined expertise to become a leading leasing … Read the full press release

BBVA Rolls Out In-App Bitcoin and Ether Trading for Spanish Retail Customers

(IN BRIEF) BBVA now offers retail customers in Spain the ability to trade and custody bitcoin and ether directly through its mobile app, following clearance from the CNMV and in line with EU MiCA regulations. The fully integrated service, devoid … Read the full press release

BBVA Mobilizes €27 Billion for Sustainable Development in Emerging Markets at FFD4

(IN BRIEF) At FFD4 in Seville, BBVA announced it had allocated €27 billion in 2024 to sustainable infrastructure, climate action, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion in Mexico, South America, and Turkey—up 60 percent from 2023—while its Microfinance Foundation provided €1.5 billion … Read the full press release

BBVA App Launches AI-Powered Financial Coach to Simplify Investing

(IN BRIEF) BBVA’s latest app update introduces a financial coach feature designed to help novice investors easily enter the market. Accessible via the “Experiences” menu under “Learn to Invest,” users receive short, clear videos on basic investing principles and inflation’s … Read the full press release

EIB’s Anchor Commitment Brings SDG Outcomes Fund to USD 100 Million Final Close

(IN BRIEF) The SDG Outcomes Fund, a USD 100 million blended-finance vehicle created by UBS Optimus Foundation and Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, has achieved final close with an additional USD 18 million anchor commitment from the EIB—backed by the European Commission … Read the full press release

Spain and EIB Launch Global Alliance for Crisis-Triggered Debt Pause Clauses

(IN BRIEF) At the FfD4 conference in Seville, Spain and the EIB co-led the creation of the Debt Pause Clause Alliance, enabling temporary suspension of debt service during crises—natural, health, or food-related—without compromising long-term fiscal and social stability. The Alliance, … Read the full press release

EIB Group and VEHIS Launch PLN 2.6 Billion Auto-Lease Securitisation to Boost Polish SMEs

(IN BRIEF) The EIB Group and VEHIS have structured a cash securitisation to issue PLN 2.6 billion of auto-lease financing for Polish SMEs and mid-caps. The EIB buys PLN 637 million of senior notes, while EIF guarantees an equivalent amount … Read the full press release

EIB Global and GIZ to Advise Kenyatta National Hospital on Solar PV Installation

(IN BRIEF) EIB Global, funded by a €50,000 Cities Climate Finance Gap Fund grant and in collaboration with GIZ, will advise Kenyatta National Hospital on installing a solar PV system. The technical studies and financial assessment will guide the integration … Read the full press release

IDB and EIB Join Forces in Seville to Ramp Up Co-Financing, Private Investment and EU-Backed Projects in Latin America and the Caribbean

(IN BRIEF) At FfD4 in Seville, the IDB and EIB signed a cooperation agreement to intensify financing and reinforce development impact in Latin America and the Caribbean. The framework focuses on expanding joint sovereign-backed loans, mobilizing private capital through blended … Read the full press release

EIB and WFP Launch Climate-Risk Insurance Partnership in Ethiopia and Expand Food Security Initiatives

(IN BRIEF) During the FfD4 conference in Seville, the EIB announced expanded collaborations with the World Food Programme, the FAO, and the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty to tackle food insecurity, promote sustainable agriculture, and build resilience against climate … Read the full press release