Tag Archives: SMEs

EIB Strengthens Partnership with Banca di Asti to Boost Financing for Italian Agricultural SMEs

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banca di Asti have signed a €100 million financing agreement to support Italian SMEs in the agriculture and bioeconomy sectors, with 10% of the funds reserved for young farmers. The signing took … Read the full press release

Brussels gathering highlights women-led leadership as key to Europe’s green economy and energy independence

(IN BRIEF) The Women Climate Leaders Network (WCLN) held its mid-year hybrid meeting in Brussels, gathering women leaders from all EU Member States, policymakers, and experts to accelerate Europe’s green transition. Discussions centered on funding for green SMEs and scale-ups, … Read the full press release

EIB launches second phase of Climate Bank Roadmap to drive competitiveness, energy security and resilience

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has adopted the second phase of its Climate Bank Roadmap, setting priorities through 2030 that focus on boosting competitiveness, ensuring energy security, and cutting costs for households and companies. The plan doubles … Read the full press release

EIB Group and EU4Business back €77 million financing boost for Moldovan SMEs through ProCredit Bank and Victoriabank

(IN BRIEF) The EIB Group, comprising the EIB and EIF, has signed guarantee agreements with ProCredit Bank Moldova and Victoriabank to mobilise over €77 million in new financing for nearly 1,000 Moldovan SMEs. Backed by the EU’s EU4Business Guarantee Facility, … Read the full press release

SMEs hold untapped £60 billion investment potential as Barclays calls for policy support and confidence boost

(IN BRIEF) Barclays’ latest report argues that raising SME investment to the same level as larger firms could unlock an additional £60 billion annually for the UK economy. While overall business investment reached record highs in 2024 and continues to … Read the full press release

First InvestEU Guarantee in Cyprus unlocks €62.5 million in new financing for SMEs and start-ups through EIF and Eurobank

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank Group has signed the first InvestEU Guarantee agreement in Cyprus through the European Investment Fund (EIF) and Eurobank, creating up to €62.5 million in new loans for SMEs and start-ups. Backed by EU support, … Read the full press release

New BBVA Directa service leverages Iberpay’s OCT Inst rail for 24/7 instant inbound payments to Spain

(IN BRIEF) BBVA has launched a new instant payments service that allows banks outside Europe to send funds to Spain in seconds, operating 24/7/365 with real-time settlement via Iberpay’s One-Leg Out Instant Credit Transfer scheme. Through its BBVA Directa platform, … Read the full press release

European SMEs to benefit from €65 billion mobilised for energy efficiency under new EIB and EU initiative

(IN BRIEF) The EIB Group has pledged €17.5 billion to accelerate energy efficiency investments by more than 350,000 European SMEs between 2025 and 2027. Backed by the European Commission, the initiative will nearly double current EIB support and aims to … Read the full press release

Czech Deputy Finance Minister Marek Mora to join EIB Management Committee as Vice-President

(IN BRIEF) Czech Deputy Finance Minister Marek Mora has been appointed Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, effective 20 October 2025. Nominated by the Czech government and approved by the EIB’s Board of Governors, Mora will replace Kyriacos Kakouris of … Read the full press release

Flexam Invest secures €50 million EIF commitment for Kartesia Asset Finance III to boost SME and mid-cap financing in Europe

(IN BRIEF) Flexam Invest has secured a €50 million investment from the European Investment Fund (EIF) in its Kartesia Asset Finance III (KAF III) fund, partially backed by the EU’s InvestEU programme. With this commitment, KAF III has now raised … Read the full press release

New Adriatic Innovation Zone by Terna launches with OpenHUB and OpenLAB to support startups, SMEs, and advanced HVDC research

(IN BRIEF) Terna has inaugurated the Adriatic Innovation Zone in Ascoli Piceno, a new hub designed to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in the Marche region while supporting the energy transition. The facility, developed with local institutions under the leadership of … Read the full press release

MAPFRE joins Blue Marble consortium as sixth owner to expand climate resilience insurance in tenth anniversary year

(IN BRIEF) MAPFRE has joined Blue Marble as its newest owner, becoming part of a global insurance consortium now comprising six members: Aspen, Grupo ASSA, Marsh McLennan, TransRe, Zurich Insurance Group, and MAPFRE. The announcement coincides with Blue Marble’s tenth … Read the full press release

EIB Global introduces €187 million Innovation and Green Transformation Facility to support Western Balkans SMEs

(IN BRIEF) EIB Global has announced the Innovation and Green Transformation Facility (IGTF), a €187 million programme combining EIB loans and EU grants to support private sector sustainability and innovation in the Western Balkans. The initiative, aligned with the EU … Read the full press release

EIB Group names María Romano to lead Madrid Office and strengthen institutional agenda in Spain

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank Group has named María Romano as the new Head of its Madrid Office, where she will lead institutional relations and coordinate support for major projects in Spain. Romano, who succeeds Fernando Torija, has extensive … Read the full press release

BBVA partners with SAP Spain to enhance global corporate banking with integrated Multibank Connectivity

(IN BRIEF) BBVA has partnered with SAP Spain to integrate the SAP Multibank Connectivity solution into its corporate banking services via the BBVA Pivot platform. The agreement will roll out across all BBVA markets, enabling companies to manage payments, collections, … Read the full press release

EIB and BNP Paribas Leasing Services join forces again with €200 million loan to boost SME and green investment in Poland

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank has provided a €200 million loan to BNP Paribas Leasing Services to stimulate more than €500 million of new investment in Poland, with a minimum of 30% allocated to climate projects such as solar … Read the full press release

EBRD drives sustainable tourism in Montenegro through infrastructure investment and cultural heritage projects

(IN BRIEF) EBRD is supporting Montenegro’s economy by pairing infrastructure investments with cultural heritage initiatives to make tourism more resilient and sustainable. Backed by donors including the EU, Austria and Sweden, the Bank is funding transport and water supply upgrades … Read the full press release

SGS strengthens SME sustainability reporting with full-service support for the VSME standard

(IN BRIEF) SGS has introduced a full-service package to help small and medium-sized enterprises implement the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for Non-Listed SMEs (VSME). Developed by EFRAG as a simplified option to the CSRD, the VSME is gaining importance with … Read the full press release

Prime Capital grows sustainable infrastructure debt fund to €130m with EIF’s €30m commitment under InvestEU

(IN BRIEF) Prime Capital AG has expanded its Prime Sustainable Infrastructure Debt Fund (PSIDEF) to €130 million after securing a new €30 million commitment from the European Investment Fund under the InvestEU programme. The Article 9 fund focuses on financing … Read the full press release

EBRD Backs New Polish Private Equity Fund with €20 Million to Boost Tech-Driven SMEs in Central and Eastern Europe

(IN BRIEF) The EBRD has invested €20 million in the newly launched Spire Capital Partners Fund I, helping the Polish-based fund reach its €90 million target and focus on tech-enabled SMEs in Poland and central and eastern Europe. The fund … Read the full press release