• The agreement is part of the strategic partnership between the two financial organisations, which aims to support business development in the country

UniCredit Bulbank and the European Investment Bank (EIB) will grant EUR 200 million to finance businesses. The funding will target medium and large companies from different sectors that have the potential to grow and create jobs in Bulgaria.

Under the terms of the agreement, EIB provides a guarantee of EUR 100 million for a portfolio that will include investment and working capital loans with a maximum single financing amount of up to EUR 20 million, and UniCredit Bulbank will be able to grant lending on preferential and flexible terms. The period for inclusion of new loans under the programme is until December 2024. Thus, it will contribute to sustainable investment and create opportunities for companies in the country to obtain funds to expand their operations and implement new projects.

"We build on the long-term partnership of UniCredit Bulbank and the European Investment Bank with another significant agreement that will support our strategic goal - to accelerate the development of the Bulgarian economy and unlock the growth potential of medium and large enterprises. As a market leader in corporate banking, it is important for us to provide new financing opportunities to companies in sectors that are structurally critical to the country's development. We expect that the agreement will further improve the environment for business development by providing easier access to financing," said Borislav Bangeev, Head of Corporate Banking and Member of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank.

EIB Vice President Liliana Pavlova said: "The European Investment Bank works to increase the competitiveness of European economies, especially in countries with lower per capita income. In times of geopolitical confrontation, uncertainty and high prices, together with UniCredit Bulbank we provide access to advantageous financial resources for medium and large businesses to implement their new projects, expand or modernize their operations and thus boost Bulgaria's economy."

The new agreement is part of a successful strategic partnership between the two financial organisations. In 2022, the EIB Group and UniCredit Bulbank provided more than EUR 630 million for small and medium-sized enterprises in Bulgaria. The guarantee in the form of synthetic securitisation unlocked new loans on more favourable terms for small and medium-sized enterprises.

For more information about the terms and conditions and procedure for applying for financing, interested clients can contact UniCredit Bulbank or visit the bank's website at the following address.

General information:

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the largest multilateral financial institution in the world and among the largest providers of financing for climate action. The bank's shareholders are the member states of the European Union. EIB contributes to the achievement of the Union's objectives by providing long-term financing, guarantees and advice for projects inside and outside the EU. EIB has been working with Bulgaria since 1992 and has supported investment projects worth more than EUR 6.5 billion to reduce disparities in regional development and strengthen economic competitiveness.  

UniCredit Bulbank is a leading bank in Bulgaria offering a wide range of financial services for individuals and legal entities. The bank is part of the UniCredit group, which is a successful pan-European commercial bank providing comprehensive corporate and investment banking services to its broad and growing client base through its outstanding network in Western, Central and Eastern Europe. UniCredit offers both local and international expert advice to its clients, providing them with invaluable access to leading banks in its 12 core markets through its European banking network: Italy, Germany, Austria, Bosna and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

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Additional media information:

Ekaterina Ancheva, tel +359 894 518 193 , flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Darina Radoslavova, tel +359 887 505273, Ebsjob/SbeptmbwpwbAVojDsfejuHspvq/CH