The European Investment Bank (the “EIB”) and illimity Bank S.p.A.  (“illimity” or the “Bank”) have finalized an agreement worth 200 million euro aimed at supporting the working capital and liquidity needs of SMEs, with specific emphasis being given to sustainable investments and businesses operating in the Cohesion Regions.  

The agreement, which further consolidates the excellent cooperation between the two banks, will lead to the mobilization of 100 million euro each during 2023, ensuring SMEs access to credit on favourable terms.  

illimity will provide funding of 100 million euro to small and medium-sized businesses through b-ilty, the illimity  Group’s digital bank specialising in providing financial services and credit to companies with a turnover of between 2 and 15 million euro. Thanks to its fully digital platform and flexible structure, b-ilty has no territorial restrictions and is, therefore, able to provide the best possible support to the various types of business found across Italy. 

More specifically, the agreement requires at least 30% of the funds to be used to finance businesses operating in the Cohesion Regions (Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia, Abruzzo, Umbria and the Marches), in line with the European Union’s transverse objective of economic, social and territorial development. 

In addition, at least 20% of the new funds must support investments made by Italian companies in energy transition. Specific emphasis will be given to supporting projects that are consistent with the European Union’s priority objectives for achieving environmental sustainability through the development of renewable energy  (photovoltaic, solar), energy efficiency, sustainable mobility (electric vehicles and recharging infrastructure)  and projects for sustainable water and waste management.  

This is the second agreement reached between the EIB Group and illimity following which concluded in 2021,  which enabled funding of over 1 billion euro to be provided for the liquidity needs of Italian SMEs.  

“The aim of this operation with illimity is to foster two of the EIB’s transverse objectives, namely climate and  social cohesion, by providing new funding at favourable terms for small and medium-sized businesses wishing  to invest in a more sustainable and inclusive future”, stated Gelsomina Vigliotti, EIB Vice-President. 

Corrado Passera, CEO and Founder of illimity, commented: “illimity was conceived with the ambition of  enhancing the value of and supporting Italy’s entrepreneurial fabric. Our commitment, working alongside  businesses, is further confirmed by this agreement which enables new funding to be provided to SMEs in the highly complex period we are currently experiencing. Collaborating with the EIB once again allows us to  provide even greater support to businesses with potential which intend to boost their growth, in this way  contributing to a positive economic, social and environmental change in their local area”.