Investment & Fund Management

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Investment Fund (EIF), and Santander Bank Polska collaborated to address the financing challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Poland, particularly those owned or led by women. The initiative aimed to mobilize PLN 5 billion in new funding, with a commitment that at least one-third of this amount would specifically benefit businesses promoting gender equality or inclusive employment.

The tailored solution involved a synthetic securitisation agreement where the EIB Group invested PLN 3.9 billion to mitigate Santander's risks associated with existing loans, thereby facilitating new lending opportunities. This agreement is noted as the largest synthetic securitisation in the history of their collaboration, allowing Santander to free up capital for targeted investments in female entrepreneurship and climate projects.

As a result of this partnership, Polish SMEs will have access to enhanced funding over the next three years, significantly improving the financial landscape for women-led businesses. The initiative not only aims to alleviate gender gaps in access to credit but also supports broader economic growth by empowering women entrepreneurs, who are increasingly recognized as vital contributors to innovation and economic development. The share of companies run by women among Santander Leasing clients has risen to 25%, reflecting a growing trend in female entrepreneurship supported by this financial initiative.