Investment & Fund Management

The European Investment Fund (EIF) partnered with Nordea Bank to implement the SME Initiative in Finland, addressing the critical issue of access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including micro companies and start-ups. The initiative aimed to improve financing conditions by offering lower interest rates, extended loan maturities, and reduced collateral requirements. This tailored solution was designed to stimulate growth and job creation within the Finnish SME sector.

As a result of this collaboration, the EIF and Nordea Bank facilitated access to a total of EUR 370 million in loans from four Finnish banks under the SME Initiative. Specifically, the agreement with Nordea Bank alone generated EUR 150 million in loans, significantly enhancing the financial landscape for Finnish businesses. The rapid deployment of this initiative demonstrated a strong demand for such financial products, with expectations of unlocking EUR 400 million in additional funding opportunities for Finnish SMEs within a year of the program's launch. This initiative not only provided essential financial support but also underscored the collaborative efforts of the European Commission, the EIB Group, and the Republic of Finland in fostering a conducive environment for SME growth.