Brussels, 21 June 2023
The European Investment Fund (EIF) has signed two guarantee with Komerční banka, which will enable the Czech lender to extend up to €280 million in fresh financing to micro, small and medium-sized companies. The operation will facilitate lending on favourable terms to support investment in innovation and digitalization, sustainability, social entrepreneurship, skills and education, as well the culture and creative arts sectors, fostering the entrepreneurial sector in the country.
The EIF, part of the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), provides a portfolio guarantee to Komerční banka thanks to the support of the InvestEU programme, which aims to mobilise over €372 billion in additional investment for EU policy priorities over the period 2021-27. The operation is expected to benefit around 6,500 companies in Czechia and Slovakia.
“InvestEU plays a crucial role in supporting micro, small, and medium-sized companies across Europe”, said European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni. “Access to finance is vital for small and mid-caps to make a significant impact in areas such as digitalisation, sustainability, education, and the cultural sector. I am delighted that, thanks to these two agreements, 6,500 businesses in Czechia and Slovakia will receive the support they need, fostering competitiveness, job creation, and accelerating progress towards a more innovative, sustainable, green, and resilient economy.”
“Supporting favourable access to finance is a key priority for us, as rates rise, liquidity conditions tighten, and the global economic environment weakens,” said EIF chief executive Marjut Falkstedt. “This operation is a great example of how the EIF can leverage EU resources to help small and micro businesses, the backbone of the European as well as the Czech and Slovak economy, through this challenging period.”
The agreement signed today follows a series of successful partnerships between the EIF and Komerční banka – a leading commercial bank in the Czech Republic – targeting areas such as sustainability and innovation, employment and the culture and creative sectors. It will also allow Komerční banka to expand their debt financing offerings for micro-enterprises and launch a new product aimed at social enterprises.
“EIF guarantees enable us to provide extra benefits for our business clients. The smooth and digital process of using this collateral is in line with our aim of simplifying loan procedures,” added David Formánek, Board Member at Komerční banka.
Background information
The EIB is the European Union’s long-term financing institution, owned by its member states. We finance sound investments that contribute to EU policy goals, including social and territorial cohesion, and the just transition to climate neutrality. We support projects in infrastructure, innovation, climate and environment, and small and medium-sized enterprises. In 2022, the EIB signed €1.85 billion in new financing for projects in Czechia.
The EIF is part of the EIB Group. It supports Europe’s SMEs by improving their access to finance through a wide range of selected financial intermediaries, such as banks, guarantee and leasing companies, micro-credit providers and private equity funds. The EIF designs and offers equity and debt financing instruments fostering EU objectives in support of entrepreneurship, growth, innovation, research and development, the green and digital transitions and employment.
The InvestEU Programme seeks to strengthen economic resilience and promote innovation and job creation in Europe. The initiative aims to support more than €372 billion in investment over the period between 2021 and 2027, using an EU budget guarantee. Projects backed are aligned with EU policy priorities, including competitiveness and the European Green Deal. The European Investment Bank Group, including the European Investment Fund, is the main implementing partner of InvestEU.