European investment fund (EIF) and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions sign landmark €200 million InvestEU guarantee for SMEs and small mid-caps in France, Germany, Italy and Spain

• EIF and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions sign InvestEU guarantee worth up to €200 million
• Agreement to drive investments by SMEs and small mid-caps in projects focused on climate change mitigation and sustainability
• Deal marks the EIF’s largest multi-country guarantee to date, specifically designed to support energy transition leasing solutions.

The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, has signed a landmark agreement with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions to provide a portfolio guarantee of up to €200 million. Supported by the InvestEU programme, this initiative aims to enhance access to business asset leasing solutions for SMEs and small mid-caps across France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The innovative partnership aims to accelerate economic development and environmental sustainability by providing financial support for investments in:

• Sustainable mobility
• Energy efficiency
• Green technologies
• Renewable energy projects

"This guarantee agreement with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions fulfils the core mission of both the European Investment Fund and the European Investment Bank Group: accelerating innovation and competitiveness for European SMEs while promoting sustainable economic development through tailored financial solutions," said Ambroise Fayolle, EIB Vice-President.

Marjut Falkstedt, EIF CEO, highlighted the partnership's impact: "By joining forces, the EIF and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions will inject over €200 million in new financing to accelerate innovation and competitiveness among European SMEs across four European countries, and supporting companies in their transition to low-carbon models. This significant guarantee underscores the power of joint efforts in strengthening European economies."

Neil Pein, CEO of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative: “We are proud to be part of this strategic partnership that will provide essential financing to SMEs and small mid-caps. This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to empowering European businesses with the financial tools they need to grow, innovate, and contribute to a more sustainable economy.”

This milestone agreement represents the EIF’s largest multi-country guarantee for energy transition leasing solutions and marks the first InvestEU-backed guarantee collaboration with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions.

Background information

ABOUT EIF

The EIF is part of the European Investment Bank Group. It supports Europe’s SMEs by improving their access to finance through a wide range of selected financial intermediaries such as banks, guarantee and leasing companies, micro-credit providers and private equity funds. The EIF designs and offers equity and debt financing instruments fostering EU objectives in support of entrepreneurship, growth, innovation, research and development, the green and digital transitions, and employment.

The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery and growth. It also helps mobilise private investments for the European Union’s policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners that will invest in projects using EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. That guarantee will back investment projects of the implementing partners, increase their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment.

ABOUT BNP PARIBAS LEASING SOLUTIONS

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions offers capital-efficient business equipment financing solutions in key sectors including agriculture, construction, transportation, materials handling, ICT, healthcare, and green tech. Drawing on its 70-year history, its partners and clients rely on its market expertise, asset know-how, and advisory services to propel their growth, transformation, and transition to a low-carbon circular economy. Present in 18 countries across Europe and Türkiye, and employing over 3 000 experts, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions also offers vendor finance solutions in the USA and Canada in partnership with Bank of Montreal, and in China through a joint venture with Jiangsu Financial Leasing. In 2024, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions advanced €16.3 billion in asset finance and presently manages a €40.4 billion leased asset portfolio. BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions is fully owned by BNP Paribas and is positioned within the Group’s Commercial, Personal Banking & Services division.

For more information, visit leasingsolutions.bnpparibas.com

Press contacts

EIB

Christophe Alix, c.alix@eib.org, +33 6 11 81 30 99
Website: www.eif.org – www.eib.org/press – Press Office: press@eib.org

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions

Suhale Vorajee - suhale.vorajee@bnpparibas.com

Lea Sauvage Yenes - lea.sauvageyenes@bnpparibas.com