EIB Unlocks €400M in Financing for Czech and Slovak Mid-Caps to Boost Industrial Growth

Mid-sized companies in Czechia and Slovakia are set to gain access to up to €400 million in new financing, following a major guarantee agreement between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The initiative is designed to strengthen some of the region's most critical businesses—particularly in manufacturing and export-driven sectors—at a time of rising costs and global economic uncertainty.

€200 Million Guarantee to Double Lending Capacity

Under the agreement:

• The EIB is providing a €200 million guarantee

• This will enable UniCredit to issue up to €400 million in new loans

By sharing risk with the bank, the guarantee effectively doubles lending capacity, allowing more companies to access financing.

Better Loan Terms for Growing Businesses

The programme is expected to significantly improve financing conditions for mid-sized firms by offering:

• Longer loan maturities

• Larger loan sizes

• Enhanced support for high-growth companies with greater capital needs

In a notable first, the scheme also includes an option for loans to be issued in Czech korunas, expanding flexibility for local businesses.

Supporting the Backbone of Regional Economies

Mid-Cap companies play a vital role in both economies, particularly in sectors tied to European Union supply chains.

EIB Vice-President Marek Mora highlighted their importance:

"Mid-Caps are the backbone of the Czech and Slovak economies, yet many face rising costs, inflation, and volatile markets. This guarantee will help them invest, innovate, and remain resilient."

Boosting Competitiveness and Investment

The financing aims to help businesses:

• Invest in modernisation and innovation

• Expand production capacity

• Strengthen export competitiveness

• Navigate global market volatility

By easing capital constraints for UniCredit, the deal allows the bank to support larger and more complex projects.

Part of EU-Wide €4 Billion Initiative

The operation is part of the EIB's €4 billion Growth4MidCaps Lending Envelope, launched in 2023 to address persistent financing gaps across the European Union.

The programme focuses on:

• Risk-sharing with financial institutions

• Expanding access to credit during uncertain economic conditions

• Supporting industrial competitiveness and economic resilience

Expanding Financing Options Beyond Traditional Loans

The initiative also promotes alternative financing tools such as:

• Mini-bonds

• Capital market instruments

These options aim to diversify funding sources for Mid-Caps, reducing reliance on traditional bank loans and improving long-term financial stability.

Crowding in Private Investment

Beyond direct lending, the EIB guarantee is expected to have a broader impact by:

• Encouraging private investors to participate

• Strengthening market confidence

• Creating a multiplier effect for investment

UniCredit CEO Jakub Dusílek emphasised the partnership's importance:

"We want to help businesses unlock their full potential and succeed in a changing environment."

A Strategic Push for Industrial Resilience

As Czechia and Slovakia navigate inflation pressures and global supply chain shifts, the new financing facility provides a timely boost to industrial growth, innovation, and economic resilience.

By combining public guarantees with private-sector lending, the initiative reflects a broader European strategy to support mid-sized enterprises as engines of growth in a rapidly evolving global economy.