The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Intesa Sanpaolo have finalized two major financial operations totalling €700 million to enhance access to finance and support investments by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies in Italy. These agreements are expected to mobilize approximately €1.9 billion in real economy investments, including €450 million allocated to green projects promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable mobility initiatives. The measures aim to support around 1,000 Italian businesses and contribute to regional development, particularly in southern Italy.
The first operation involves the EIB’s purchase of a €500 million covered bond issued by Intesa Sanpaolo. This bond will fund loans for SMEs and mid-caps, with 25% of the resources earmarked for climate-related projects. The investment is projected to leverage an estimated €1.4 billion in new investments, supporting both economic growth and environmental sustainability. The second operation is a €200 million risk-sharing guarantee provided by the EIB to Intesa Sanpaolo to facilitate mid-cap investments, with a similar 25% allocation for climate action. This guarantee enables Intesa Sanpaolo to expand its financing capacity while sharing credit risk with the EIB, potentially mobilizing an additional €500 million in the real economy.
EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti highlighted that the agreements reinforce the EU bank’s commitment to entrepreneurship and the green transition in Italy, while Intesa Sanpaolo emphasized its role in bridging finance with the real economy to make SMEs and mid-caps more competitive. The EIB guarantee is part of the REPowerEU programme, supporting energy security through investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and power grid modernization.
The EIB, as the EU’s long-term lending institution, finances projects that advance climate action, digitalization, cohesion, and other strategic priorities. In 2024, the EIB Group signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 projects, including €10.98 billion for 99 operations in Italy, unlocking almost €37 billion in investment for the real economy. Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest banking group, complements these efforts with €421 billion in loans and a strong focus on digital innovation, ESG commitments, and community support, planning €115 billion in impact contributions by 2025.
Together, these initiatives strengthen Italy’s SMEs and mid-cap sectors, accelerate sustainable and green investments, and contribute to broader economic resilience and growth in line with EU policy and climate objectives.
