The EIB Group, composed of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), and Groupe BPCE recently signed two financing initiatives totaling more than €1 billion to innovation, research, and energy transition projects led by French small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).  o1l26

According to the EIB, these initiatives are materialized in two actions: on the one hand, Banques Populaires and Caisses d'Epargne will allocate €250 million to renewable energy projects led by SMEs and mid-cap companies. On the other hand, a securitization of a loan portfolio amounting to €800 million will be carried out, allowing for the mobilization of a total of €1.6 billion in financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies. 

The first operation, for an amount of €250 million, will projects from SMEs and mid-caps in the renewable energy sector. The projects (up to €50 million) will focus mainly on photovoltaic solar energy, onshore wind power, biomass, and agricultural waste treatment for biogas production. 

This specialized financing implements Groupe BPCE’s positive impact approach, which focuses on local solutions with universal access and is fully aligned with its strategic plan Vision 2030. 

The second operation is a securitization action carried out by Groupe BPCE on a loan portfolio of €800 million to SMEs and mid-caps. Its objective is to their activities related to innovation, research, and the energy transition. The EIB and EIF have invested €750 million and €50 million, respectively, in this securitization operation, mobilizing a total of €1.6 billion in new loans. 

The Head of Retail Banking and Insurance at Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne, Hélène Madar, noted that “These financing initiatives will allow Banques Populaires and Caisses d'Epargne to accelerate the financing of their clients' investment needs in key areas of the energy transition and innovation.” 

For his part, Groupe BPCE’s CFO, Jérôme Terpereau, added that “this t operation with the EIB Group demonstrates Groupe BPCE’s expertise in financing and securitization. It will respond to the growing needs of our clients, which are key to competitiveness and sustainable growth.” 

EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration between the EIB Group and Groupe BPCE “to meet the investment needs of French companies while promoting the energy transition and innovation, which are increasingly closely linked. This collaboration is a clear example of the importance of the EU’s efforts to SMEs in their green transition and actively pursue ’s priorities in promoting innovation and sustainable growth.” 

“This securitization operation with Groupe BPCE underscores our commitment to ing French SMEs' investments in innovation, digitalization, and projects that foster climate action and environmental sustainability,” said EIF’s Chief Executive, Marjut Falkstedt.