Investment & Fund Management

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and the BPER Group signed a guarantee agreement aimed at enhancing lending to innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small mid-caps in Italy. This initiative represents the first transaction in Italy supported by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) as part of the Investment Plan for Europe. The agreement enables the BPER Group, which includes BPER Banca, Banco di Sardegna, and Banca di Sassari, to provide EUR 100 million in loans to innovative companies over the next two years.

The tailored solution involves an EIF guarantee under the EU InnovFin finance for Innovators initiative, backed by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme. This arrangement allows BPER to offer additional financing to innovative companies at favorable conditions, addressing the specific challenge of limited access to funding for SMEs engaged in research and innovation. The agreement is expected to significantly boost investments in innovative businesses, thereby fostering growth and job creation in Italy.

As a result of this collaboration, Italian SMEs will gain access to EUR 100 million in funding through new loans, which is anticipated to enhance their capacity for innovation and development. This initiative not only supports the growth of individual companies but also contributes to the broader economic landscape by promoting innovation as a key driver for growth and job creation in Europe.