The European Investment Bank’s (EIB) Board of Governors unanimously approved a capital increase of 67 billion Euro, bringing the Bank’s subscribed capital to 232.4 billion Euos. This agreement will immediately take effect.

The capital increase which had previously been envisaged for 2010 was brought forward to 2009 to enable the European Investment Bank (EIB) to expand its lending volume as part of its anti-crisis measures in response to the economic downturn. The EIB was already asked on November 2008 in the occasion of the ECOFIN Council to submit its proposals to support EU's economy and develop targeted actions in order tackle the economic downturn.

The call for an anticipated increase in subscribed capital was supported by the EIB’s Board of Directors in December 2008 and subsequently put to the Board of Governors – the 27 EU Finance Ministers. The EU Member States demonstrated their support for the EIB’s increased lending role during the financial crisis by unanimously approving the increase.

The capital increase will be conducted through a transfer from the EIB’s additional reserves to its paid-in capital. This has the benefit of not burdening the Member States themselves to provide the additional resources.