Brussels, 04/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted four loans totalling EUR 250 million for the funding of investment projects of Italian small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). The beneficiary banks are: - Banca Popolare Commercio e Industria Scrl (EUR 25 million); - Banca Popolare dell'Emilia Romagna Scrl (EUR 25 million); - Banca Popolare di Bergamo-Credito Varesino Scrl (EUR 100 million); - and Credito Emiliano SpA. These four loans are intended for the financing of leasing contacts in favour of SMEs operating in industry, tourism and services.