UniCredit Launches New Phase of UniCredit for CEE to Strengthen SME Financing Across Central and Eastern Europe

UniCredit Launches New Phase of UniCredit for CEE to Strengthen SME Financing Across Central and Eastern Europe

(IN BRIEF) UniCredit has launched the next phase of its UniCredit for CEE initiative, committing more than €2.6 billion in financing solutions for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across Central and Eastern Europe through 2027. The programme aims to expand access to capital and advisory support for businesses in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Backed by 35 guarantee lines developed with the European Investment Fund, European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and national development programmes, the initiative is designed to provide businesses with improved financing conditions such as lower collateral requirements, better pricing and simplified processes. UniCredit for CEE will focus on supporting sustainability initiatives, energy efficiency, digitalization and innovation while also promoting inclusive financing for entrepreneurs, including women- and youth-led businesses. Since its launch in 2024, the programme has already delivered more than €2 billion in new lending to over 18,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition to this initiative, UniCredit’s regional banks provided around €15 billion in loans to approximately 430,000 micro and small enterprises across Central and Eastern Europe over the past year. The expanded programme forms part of UniCredit’s broader UniCredit Unlimited strategy aimed at driving growth and supporting businesses throughout the region.

(PRESS RELEASE) MILAN, 5-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — UniCredit has announced the next phase of its UniCredit for CEE initiative, expanding its commitment to supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across Central and Eastern Europe with more than €2.6 billion in financing solutions through the end of 2027. The programme is designed to strengthen access to funding for businesses throughout the region while promoting innovation, sustainability and inclusive economic growth.

UniCredit for CEE serves as the Group’s dedicated platform to provide financing, advisory services and guarantee-backed funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and smaller businesses. The expanded programme reflects UniCredit’s broader strategic direction under its UniCredit Unlimited growth strategy, which focuses on accelerating development opportunities for the bank and its approximately 20 million clients across Europe.

The new phase of the initiative is supported by 35 guarantee lines established in cooperation with major European financial institutions, including the European Investment Fund, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as national development programmes. These partnerships are intended to improve access to affordable financing for businesses operating in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Through these guarantee frameworks, participating companies can benefit from several advantages aimed at simplifying access to capital. These include reduced collateral requirements, more favorable pricing conditions, dedicated advisory services and more efficient application processes, making financing more accessible for smaller enterprises.

UniCredit for CEE will focus on supporting business investments that contribute to the green transition, energy efficiency, digital transformation and technological innovation. The initiative also aims to strengthen local supply chains and encourage inclusive financing opportunities, particularly for women entrepreneurs and youth-led businesses.

Since its launch in 2024, the programme has already generated significant results. UniCredit has delivered more than €2 billion in new loans through guarantee programmes, supporting over 18,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the region.

Beyond this dedicated initiative, UniCredit’s regional banks continue to provide a wide range of financial services and support to businesses across Central and Eastern Europe. Over the past year alone, the Group has delivered approximately €15 billion in loans to around 430,000 micro and small enterprises, contributing to investment and growth in the real economy across the region.

Teodora Petkova, Head of Central and Eastern Europe at UniCredit, emphasized that the expansion of UniCredit for CEE will significantly increase the bank’s ability to support entrepreneurs and businesses throughout the region. According to Petkova, the additional €2.6 billion in financing capacity, combined with partnerships with European financial institutions and an enhanced distribution model, will enable the bank to assist thousands of companies in pursuing growth, innovation and sustainable transformation.

She added that the initiative is closely aligned with UniCredit’s UniCredit Unlimited strategy, which focuses on delivering high-quality growth by leveraging technology, empowering employees and offering advanced financial solutions to clients across Central and Eastern Europe.

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SOURCE: UniCredit S.p.A.