European
Investment Bank Company Information ( EIB )
About
The European Investment Bank Company ( EIB )
The task of the European Investment Bank, the European Union's financing
institution, is to contribute towards the integration, balanced
development and economic and social cohesion of the Member Countries.
To
this end, it raises on the markets substantial volumes of funds
which it directs on the most favourable terms towards financing
capital projects according with the objectives of the Union.
Outside
the Union the EIB implements the financial components of agreements
concluded under European development aid and cooperation policies.
The Mission of the EIB
Their Mission is to further the objectives of the European Union
by making long-term finance available for sound investment.
EIB
are at the service of the Union.
EIB were created by the Treaty of Rome; their shareholders are the
Member States; and their Board of Governors is composed of the Finance
Ministers of these States.
EIB
provide service and value-added
- through
our appraisal and follow-up of investment projects and programmes.
To receive their support, projects and programmes must be viable
in four fundamental areas : economic, technical, environmental
and financial. EIB appraise each investment project thoroughly
and follow it through to completion.
- through
their financing.
Through their own lending operations and their ability to attract
other financing, EIB widen the range of funding possibilities.
Through their borrowing activities, they contribute to the development
of capital markets throughout the Union.
EIB
offer first-class terms and conditions.
Their financial soundness derives from the strength and commitment
of their shareholders, the independence of their professional judgements
and their record of achievement. It enables EIB to borrow at the
finest terms, which they pass on in their lending conditions.
EIB
work in partnership with others.
Their policies are established in close coordination with the Member
States and the other Institutions of the European Union. They also
cooperate closely with the business and banking sectors and the
main international organisations in their field.
EIB
attract qualified and multi-lingual staff from all the Member States.
EIB are motivated by their direct participation in the construction
of Europe.
The EIB Group
Following the conclusions of the Lisbon European Council in March
2000, which called for increased support for operations to assist
SMEs, the Board of Governors decided to set up the "EIB Group",
consisting of the European Investment Bank and the European Investment
Fund.
The
EIB became the majority shareholder in the European Investment Fund,
which nevertheless retains a tripartite share-ownership structure
consisting of the EIB (60.5%), the European Commission (30%) and
European banks and financial institutions (9.5%).
The
EIB Group is thus able to play a predominant role in boosting the
competitiveness of European industry through the diversified support
it provides for the activities of SMEs (medium and long-term loans,
venture capital and guarantees).
In
this context, the EIB continues to promote smaller businesses through
its medium and long-term global loan financing, arranged in collaboration
with the banking sector.
At
the same time, all venture capital activities are concentrated within
the EIF, thereby making it one of the leading sources of venture
capital within the Union. This focus of the EIF within the EIB Group
will enable it to target operations in this highly specialised field
more effectively.
The
EIF also continues to undertake guarantee operations involving its
own resources or those of the EU budget.
This
new kind of relationship between the EIB and the EIF encourages
a productive sharing of expertise between the Bank and the Fund
in support of finance for SMEs; it also stimulates the innovative
and catalytic effect of EIB Group operations within the European
banking and financial community.
In June 2000, the EIB’s Board of Governors authorised the Bank
to release up to 2 billion from its operating profit for venture
capital operations to be arranged by the EIF between now and 2003.
Information
and Communications Department
Secretariat General
100 boulevard Konrad Adenauer
L-2950 Luxembourg
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