Brussels, 21/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - A finance agreement was signed on Wednesday 21 March by Jean-Pierre Denis, Chairman of Crédit Mutuel ARKEA, and Philippe de Fontaine Vive, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, to support small business investment projects in France. The loan of €120 million will finance hundreds of small businesses in key industries, farming and services in Crédit Mutuel ARKEA's main areas of activity, Brittany, South-West France and the Massif Central, as well as the rest of France by means of its subsidiary, ARKEA Banque Entreprises & Institutionnels. The EIB says that the finance is particularly important at a time when small businesses are struggling as a result of the economic crisis and finding it difficult to get bank loans. (OL/transl.fl)