Media release 23.7.2024

For the first time in BiH, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a new risk sharing project for the BiH banks. Intesa Sanpaolo Banka, a member of the PBZ Group, whose parent bank is Intesa Sanpaolo, is the first bank in BiH to join this project.

This project envisions for the EBRD, in cooperation with the banks, to share the risks arising from financing of corporate customers or SME in a certain country. Through this partnership, the EBRD will share the 50% risk of each separate loan, granted by Intesa Sanpaolo Banka to companies that meet the conditions of this project. Contracts signed between the ERBD and Intesa Sanpaolo Banka assume financing up to EUR 30 million. The risk-sharing project is one of the three basic EBRD initiatives for the SME. The EBRD offers to Intesa Sanpaolo Banka the risk-sharing instruments providing guarantees for loans granted by Intesa Sanpaolo Banka to companies that meet the conditions.

 “We are thrilled to partner with Intesa Sanpaolo Banka to expand financing options for growing businesses in this first ever such assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EBRD's risk-participation program will assist Banca Intesa in managing capital and risk concentration, and foster credit growth to support the country`s economy “, said Manuela Naessl, director of the EBRD for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Intesa Sanpaolo Bank's strategic priorities in the country are promoting the green economy, supporting the competitive development of the private sector and encouraging regional integration.

"After we recently signed a new Go Green line with our long-term partner EBRD and renewed cooperation on the Go Digital line in BiH for the SME, I must say that I am particularly happy about this cooperation, especially because we are the first bank in BiH to offer this type of product to our customers.  Using this instrument, the Bank will have a more flexible approach, it will increase its ability to assume part of the risk, and it will help set new challenging goals for all our existing and potential SME customers, all under the favourable financing conditions", said Marco Trevisan, President of the Management Board of Intesa Sanpaolo Banka".

It is important to point out that beside this risk-sharing project, the EBRD and Intesa Sanpaolo Banka have contracted a new Go Green project, as well as another line for Go Digital in BiH The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided EUR 7 million loan to Intesa Sanpaolo Banka under the SME Go Green programme and EUR 8 million under the Go Digital in BiH programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These funds are supported by incentive payments and technical assistance, funded by the European Union.

With these programs, the Bank aims to foster innovation, sustainability and growth among small and medium-sized enterprises in Bosnia and Herzegovina.