EIB Group and Santander Bank Polska Launch PLN 5 Billion Initiative to Empower Polish SMEs

According to EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, the initiative underscores the EIB Group's commitment to advancing women's economic empowerment.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), in partnership with Santander Bank Polska and Santander Leasing, have signed a landmark agreement to bolster small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing in Poland. The initiative will mobilize up to PLN 5 billion in new funding, with a minimum of one-third allocated to companies owned or led by women and those advancing gender equality.

The agreement involves a synthetic securitization deal, with the EIB Group investing PLN 3.9 billion to reduce Santander's risk exposure from existing loans, thereby unlocking capital for new targeted lending initiatives. This transaction, the largest synthetic securitization in EIB Group's history, also supports climate-focused projects alongside gender finance goals.

According to EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, the initiative underscores the EIB Group's commitment to advancing women's economic empowerment. "Promoting gender equality is not only the right thing to do—it's good for business," she remarked. In 2024, the EIB Group dedicated €3 billion to gender equality financing globally.

Magdalena Proga-Stępień, Member of the Management Board of Santander Bank Polska, highlighted the impact on female entrepreneurship. "This transaction is especially meaningful. The capital released enables us to better support women-led businesses in Poland," she stated.

The program builds on a longstanding partnership between the EIB Group and Santander, which has invested €12 billion in securitizations across Poland and Central-Eastern Europe since 2013. The cooperation not only boosts SME financing but also promotes diversity and inclusion through initiatives such as Santander's "Strong in Business" workshops and the global "Santander W50" women's leadership program.

Krzysztof Kowalewski, Vice-President of Santander Leasing Poland, noted the growing presence of female-led enterprises among their clients. "Women-run businesses now comprise 25% of our client base, up from 15% six years ago," he said, highlighting their impact in sectors such as trade, healthcare, and scientific services.

This pioneering initiative marks a significant step in supporting Polish entrepreneurs, driving inclusive economic growth, and fostering gender equality in business.