Brussels, 03/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank recently signed a new partnership with the ATEbank and MARFIN EGNATIA Bank for a total of €180 million in order to support small and medium-sized investment in Greece. Loan contracts were signed in Athens on 27 May.
This new EIB partnership creates an alliance with two top Greek banks with extensive branch networks and wide SME portfolios. €100 million goes to ATEbank, with which the EIB had regular' cooperation over the period 1979-1986, and €80 million will be for MARFIN EGNATIA Bank, with which the EIB is joining forces for the very first time. The funds will be used to finance small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) in the fields of industry, agro-industry, commercial services and tourism, as well as small infrastructure projects undertaken by public and/or private promoters in Greece. The lending facility signed with MARFIN EGNATIA Bank also includes lease financing possibilities. (O.L./transl.jl)