EIB & Santander Team Up for €1.08B Boost to Spanish SMEs & Mid-Caps
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and Banco Santander have teamed up to launch a significant €1.08 billion financing package aimed at supporting Spanish SMEs and mid-caps. This deal not only boosts finance but also strengthens the EU's capital-markets union.
At the heart of this operation is a €1 billion new financing facility, led by the EIB Group and Santander. This will support Spanish SMEs and mid-caps in various areas, including productivity upgrades, renewable energy integration, and sustainable construction. Notably, about €200 million of this lending is reserved for businesses developing or retrofitting near-zero-emission buildings.
The EIB Group's partnership with Santander is part of a broader strategy to link capital-market innovation with real-economy investment for sustainable finance. The EIB will inject €309.5 million, while the European Investment Fund (EIF) contributes €260 million, unlocking over €1 billion in new credit for Santander to lend to businesses. This transaction illustrates the growing momentum behind blended-finance approaches to scale Europe's sustainability funding gap.
In addition to this deal, a further €70 million will be dedicated to companies led or majority-owned by women. This allocation, along with the €200 million earmarked for near-zero-emission building projects, underscores the commitment to promoting sustainability and gender equality.
The €1.08 billion financing package launched by the EIB Group and Banco Santander is set to provide a significant boost to Spanish SMEs and mid-caps, particularly in the areas of sustainable construction and women-led enterprises. This deal not only supports businesses in their transition to a low-carbon economy but also reinforces the EU's commitment to sustainable finance and gender equality.
