EBRD provides Credit Agricole Bank EUR 150 mln guarantee for business lending

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has granted Credit Agricole Bank (Kyiv) a new guarantee that will enable the financial institution to issue EUR 150 million in loans to Ukrainian businesses, covering up to 80% of the associated risk.

"We value our longstanding partnership with the EBRD and share a common vision, investing in resilience and sustainable development. Together, we are helping businesses recover, strengthen, and reduce their exposure to external risks, which fully aligns with our AIR strategy: Aim is to Invest in Recovery," Credit Agricole Bank CEO Carlos de Cordoue said in the bank's press release on Tuesday.

Under the program, Credit Agricole Bank will provide EUR 150 million in financing to companies operating in critical sectors, as well as to MSMEs and mid-cap firms investing in energy production and storage, energy efficiency, and modernization.

According to the EBRD website, the project is structured around three components: the "Resilience and Livelihoods" program, the Energy Security Support Mechanism, and the EU4Business-EBRD credit line with investment incentives.

The largest portion, up to EUR 80 million, will support working capital and investment needs of private businesses in key sectors. EUR 40 million will target energy generation, storage, and efficiency, and EUR 30 million will support MSME modernization in line with EU standards, with at least 70% allocated to green projects. This segment also includes technical assistance and grant incentives upon completion of investments.

Eligible companies will be able to access technical assistance and investment incentives financed by the EU under the EU4Business initiative. Additional grants are available for businesses and households affected by destruction, asset loss, displacement, and for companies contributing to the reintegration of veterans, people with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.

This is the third portfolio risk-sharing agreement between the EBRD and Credit Agricole Bank since Russia's full-scale invasion.

Earlier, the EBRD allocated EUR 75.4 million in EU grants for Ukrainian MSMEs under the EU4Business-EBRD credit line, including EUR 2.25 million for projects involving Credit Agricole Bank.

According to the EBRD, since the start of the full-scale invasion the bank has provided Ukrainian borrowers about EUR 3.29 billion through 40 similar agreements with 12 partners. The lending programs are supported by first-loss risk coverage financed by France and the EU under the Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF).

Credit Agricole Bank was founded in 1993. Its sole shareholder is Credit Agricole S.A. (France). According to NBU data, as of October 1, 2025, the bank ranked 11th among Ukraine's 60 banks by total assets, with UAH 116.26 billion.