UniCredit Leasing Corporation IFN S.A., Romania’s largest leasing company, has received approval for a senior loan of up to €70 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

This financing is part of the Financial Intermediary Framework (FIF) and will provide leases to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Romania.

The EBRD said the loan will support UniCredit Leasing’s efforts to expand its SME portfolio, focusing on enhancing competitiveness and ensuring the resilience of its leasing practices.

The EBRD’s investment is aligned with the Green Economy Transition (GET) initiative, with at least 40% of the investments meeting GET criteria, aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable projects.

With a wide regional outreach, UniCredit Leasing is well-positioned to attract new micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) clients, thereby boosting financial access for businesses nationwide. The project holds a transition impact score of 60, reflecting its potential to contribute significantly to the local financial ecosystem.

UniCredit Leasing, established in 2002, is predominantly owned by UniCredit Bank Romania S.A. (99.99%) and is a longstanding client of the EBRD. The company has demonstrated satisfactory environmental and social performance, adhering to both UniCredit and IFC standards. Under the terms of the loan, UniCredit Leasing will continue to report annually on its environmental and social compliance.

The total project cost is estimated at €70 million, with the EBRD’s financing covering the entire amount.

The English-language Project Summary Document (PSD) for this initiative was published on 4 September 2024, and the project remains in its exploratory phase.

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