SB POLSKA ENHANCED SUPPORT TO SMES AND MIDCAPS

The project concerns a guarantee (synthetic securitisation) covering an existing portfolio of loans and leases to small and medium sized enterprises and mid-caps in Poland.

The aim is to enhance access to finance to the final beneficiaries. The operation is expected to have a significant contribution to gender equality.

The operation will target investments in SMEs and Midcaps in Poland in alignment with the EU's and Bank's priorities. Through an intermediated approach, the Bank will reach SMEs and Midcaps financing small and mid-size projects, which could otherwise not be reached. In addition, the finance unlocked by the EIB benefits women owned or led enterprises and thus helps reduce the gender gap. Given the activities of Santander Group in Poland and as per the EU's cohesion policy, the operation is expected to reduce regional disparities with c. 64% of allocations expected in Less Developed regions and c.18% in Transition regions. The EIB participation in the transaction will create new lending capacity for the Financial Intermediary by freeing up capital on the guaranteed portfolio. The operation will further contribute to EU Capital Markets Union. 

The proposed operation falls within the scope of the EIB's Environmental and Social Standards - "Standard 11 Intermediated Finance". The Borrower / Financial Intermediary has adequate capacity, systems and processes in place for identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring environmental, climate and social (ECS) risks related to the potential sub-projects benefitting from EIB support. The Final beneficiaries will be required to comply with applicable national and EU legislation in respect of environmental and social matters, as appropriate.

Final beneficiaries will be requested to comply with applicable national and EU legislation, as appropriate.