The European Investment Bank (EIB) has made EUR 400 million available to Intesa Sanpaolo for financing the projects of small and medium-sized Italian enterprises (SMEs). This credit line will be managed by two banks in the Intesa group: Mediocredito Italiano and Leasint.
Financing SMEs is one of the EU bank’s principal areas of activity and this operation will reinforce the EIB’s long-standing cooperation with Intesa Sanpaolo – including in accordance with the framework agreement between the EIB, the Italian Banking Association (ABI) and Confindustria signed two years ago.
New and ongoing projects will be eligible for financing. The maximum amount granted to individual projects will be EUR 12.5 million, possibly covering up to 100% of the investment cost. The loans will serve to finance: restructuring and upgrading schemes; the acquisition, construction and extension of buildings; the acquisition of plant, equipment, machinery and vehicles; the costs, ancillary expenses and intangible assets relating to investments, including research, development and innovation costs; ongoing working capital requirements.
Small businesses in all productive sectors – agriculture, crafts, industry, trade, tourism and services – will be able to apply for the loans.
EIB
The European Investment Bank supports the strategic and policy objectives of the European Union by granting long-term loans for economically viable investment projects. The EIB’s shareholders are the 27 EU Member States. Italy is one of the four leading shareholders, along with the United Kingdom, Germany and France, each holding a 16.2% stake in the Bank.