The bank-insurer is the first private company to donate money to the European Investment Fund to invest in infrastructure projects related to the climate transition and sustainability.
KBC Insurance and the European Investment Fund (EIF) announced a partnership on Thursday in which KBC’s insurance branch will invest up to 200 million euros over the next 20 years.
The EIF, which is part of the European Investment Bank and helps finance SMEs, will invest that money in sustainable infrastructure projects.
The collaboration is a first, say KBC and the EIF. It is the first time that the European fund raises private capital for climate and infrastructure investments.
Earlier this month, ING Belgium reached a guarantee agreement with the EIF to support projects around sustainability, innovation and digitalization. As a result, the bank will have an additional portfolio of 214 million euros available to provide Belgian companies with greater access to financing. Through the agreement, the EIF covers 70 percent of up to 214 million euros in loans. This amounts to 150 million euros in guarantees.