FAQ - Transparency and Information
The Bank receives many requests for information and certain questions recur regularly. Please check if your query can be answered by one of the links below.
For further information, please send a message to info@eib.org.
- What are the Corporate Governance rules at the EIB?
- What are the EIB rules about confidentiality of information?
- Does the EIB have an anti fraud policy?
- Does EIB grant access to its library for academic research?
- What is the EIB policy for providing information for business directories?
- Can EIB documents be found at the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU)?
What are the Corporate Governance rules at the EIB?
The EIB and its staff are covered by a Code of Conduct, setting out the rules and standards for professional behaviour.
Members of Bank staff are expected to:
- Commit themselves to the Bank's objectives
- Act loyally, honestly and impartially
- Subscribe to a high standard of personal and professional ethics.
Within the Bank, a dedicated Compliance Office has been set up to identify, assess, advise on, monitor and report on the compliance risk of the EIB Group.
The team monitors compliance by EIB Group staff of the rules on ethics and integrity and recommends the adoption of protective or redressing measures where appropriate.
What are the EIB rules about confidentiality of information?
The EIB considers itself accountable to all stakeholders. It maintains and develops an active transparency policy regarding its activities and policies in line with relevant EU regulations and policies.
The EIB actively communicates with the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and with Civil Society. It publishes its Corporate Operational Plan on its website, as well as a wide range of information on its policies and procedures, including listing basic information about its project list and loans activity.
Nonetheless, the EIB operates as a bank and is subject to conventional bank-client relationships. This includes the need to protect the business and commercial interest of its clients, which may require keeping project information confidential.
Does the EIB have an anti fraud policy?
The Bank has adopted an active policy against fraud and money laundering in the context of its financing operations. See the EIB Guidelines on Fighting Corruption and Fraud. Under the tendering rules the Bank applies, it requires declarations of integrity and identification of source of funds from promoters and tenderers (Guide to Procurement, sections 1.5, 3.5 and Annex 3).
Does EIB grant access to its library for academic research?
The Bank grants access, on request and by appointment, to certain library facilities in Luxembourg, including a bibliographic selection of published documents and works about the EIB.
In return, the Bank welcomes receiving a copy of the academic research, once completed. The library does not contain EIB documents on individual projects financed.
Please note that the EIB is unfortunately unable to validate academic research, nor can the Bank fill in questionnaires or provide individual advice to students for university theses.
What is the EIB policy for providing information for business directories?
The EIB does not seek to participate in business directories. As such, it is the policy of the Bank not to update details on an individual basis for such publications.
All information regarding the activity, aims and structure of the Bank is updated regularly on this website. Organisations wishing to include details of the EIB in their publications are asked to gather information directly and free-of-charge from the Bank's website.
Organisations who wish to include a textual summary of the EIB in their publications are asked to submit a proposed text to the Bank for validation (via the Infodesk - info@eib.org) at least 10 working days prior to the deadline. Should the text be in an EU official language other than English, German or French, please allow at least 20 working days.
Can EIB documents be found at the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU)?
Yes. The European Union has an archive facility in Florence, Italy - the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU).
The HAEU is the repository for the Historical Archives from the European Institutions - including the EIB - together with the archives of important personalities, movements or international organisations which have played an important role in the construction of Europe.
There is a reading room at the HAEU, which can be used to gain access to certain EU archived documents. Further details can be found on the website of the Historical Archives of the European Union.