The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group will significantly step up its lending activities for the 2013 to 2015 period to support the recovery of growth in Europe, as announced by its President, Mr Werner Hoyer. The EIB thus will lend an additional €60 billion over the next three years to promote sustainable growth and jobs, bringing annual lending volumes to €65-70 billion.

Following the member states' decision to increase the EIB’s paid-in capital by €10 billion, the European Investment Bank (EIB) will lend an additional €60 billion over the next three years to promote sustainable growth and jobs. President of the EIB, Werner Hoyer, underlined that the EIB is now prepared to deliver on boosting its lending activities by 40% per year from 2013-2015 and thus making an extraordinary effort in theses exceptional times for Europe. In December 2012, EIB and EESC Presidents called for accelerating investments in the EU to facilitate structural change.

The additional EIB lending will initiate projects worth up to €180 billion including private and public investments, focussing on innovation, SME's access to finance, resource efficiency and strategic infrastructure. During 2012, the EIB provided targeted support for key growth and employment drivers, in particular SMEs.

The bank also confirmed that it maintained excellent credit standing throughout 2012 benefiting in particular from a prudent lending policy and sound risk management. Total assets at year-end 2012 reached €508 billion, making the EIB the largest multi-lateral financier. Amid volatile market conditions, the Bank raised €71.3 billion on the international capital markets, including some pre-funding for the current year.