The EIB Group, comprising the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, has entered into a €400 million financing agreement with the Mediocredito Centrale (MCC) Group to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies in Italy. The operation is structured through a securitisation transaction involving performing residential mortgage loans originated by BdM Banca, a subsidiary of MCC. Under the arrangement, the EIB Group has subscribed to senior securities worth €200 million, with €150 million provided by the EIB and €50 million by the EIF.
The agreement is designed to unlock more than €400 million in new investments for around 650,000 SMEs and mid-caps across Italy by enabling MCC to generate new lending equal to at least twice the EIB Group’s contribution. The financing will be used to support business investments across multiple sectors, with a strong emphasis on projects located in Italy’s cohesion regions and the newly established single special economic zone (ZES Unica), created to boost regional development and investment attraction.
A significant portion of the funding, more than 60%, will be directed toward businesses operating in cohesion areas and the special economic zone, helping to strengthen regional competitiveness and economic convergence. In addition, around 30% of the resources will support agribusinesses across Italy, particularly initiatives focused on sustainability, climate adaptation, and modernization of the agricultural sector.
The initiative is expected to improve access to affordable financing for SMEs and mid-caps while stimulating innovation and long-term investment in the real economy. It also aims to reinforce the role of Italy’s agrifood sector, which is considered strategically important for employment, environmental sustainability, and territorial resilience.
Officials from both institutions highlighted the importance of the partnership in channeling financial resources toward productive investments. The EIB emphasized its role in supporting regional development and strengthening business growth in economically less-developed areas, while MCC underlined its mission of expanding financing capacity for innovative and growth-oriented companies.
The operation reflects the EIB Group’s broader strategy of mobilising private investment through securitisation and financial instruments, while the EIF continues to focus on improving SME access to finance across Europe. The MCC Group, which operates as a key public financial institution in Italy, will channel these resources through its banking subsidiaries to support businesses, households, and regional development initiatives.
