EIB Approves €100 Million Loan to PBZ for Croatian Companies

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a loan of €100 million to Privredna banka Zagreb (PBZ), a member of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, to expand financing opportunities for Croatian companies in the country, with a focus on projects promoting green energy, EIB and PBZ announced in a joint statement on Friday.

The statement also notes that the EIB loan will enable an increase in lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies in Croatia.

The aim of this transaction is to strengthen competitiveness and green investments in Croatia. At least 70 percent of the loan is intended for small and medium-sized enterprises, while at least 20 percent will be directed towards projects that contribute to climate initiatives and environmental sustainability, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

The EIB loan will be disbursed in phases over the next three years, starting with the first tranche of €50 million signed on Friday. The entire transaction is intended for Croatia and is fully focused on achieving the European Union’s goal of strengthening regional cohesion.

– By allocating a significant portion of the loan to investments aimed at climate protection and women entrepreneurs, we support companies’ efforts in sustainability and strengthen Croatia’s economic resilience – said EIB Vice President Teresa Czerwińska.

Ten percent of the loan, namely, will be allocated to companies owned or managed by women, which, according to the statement, reflects the EIB’s commitment to promoting gender equality in business financing.

The CEO of PBZ, Dinko Lucić, emphasized that the bank will actively support its clients and sustainable projects through this collaboration, particularly those with a green component focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy, with a strong emphasis on ESG aspects.

This loan continues the EIB’s financing of PBZ, which has reached approximately €200 million over the past ten years. In November 2024, PBZ signed a €100 million guarantee agreement with the EIB to support the financial and investment needs of Croatian mid-cap companies.