Brussels, 03/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - With a budget of €20 million, including funding of €10 million from the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France and €10 million in EU funding from the European Regional Development Fund, the “JEREMIE PACA” fund (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises) will provide guarantees to companies in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF - part of the European Investment Bank) for which the EIF, and Groupe BPCE, Réseau Banque Populaire, of three Popular Banks in the PACA region signed an operational agreement on Monday 3 December for preferential loan for PACA small businesses. The leverage effect should enable a total of €111 million to be earmarked for businesses in the area. The Popular Banks can already provide loans on favourable terms with low interest rates and low personal guarantee requirements. (OL/transl.fl)