The EU bank

The EIB is the long-term financing institution of the European Union. Its mission is to help implement the EU's policy objectives by financing sound business projects. To finance these projects, the Bank borrows on the capital markets (see the Investor Relations section) and operates on a "not for profit maximising" basis. It works in the framework of a rolling three-year operational plan, approved by its Board of Directors and updated every year.

The operational plan 2012-2014 responds to an environment in which Europe has the difficult task of addressing the impact of the economic crisis while accelerating its transition to a smarter, greener and sustainable economy. It has been defined by reference to the need to maintain appropriate lending volumes and optimise value-added whilst respecting the Bank’s risk bearing capacity. It reconfirms the Bank’s long term financial sustainability and its continued strategy to strengthening key financial and risk ratios.

The focus for planned lending activities remains on the EU. In taking a long-term investment position in projects, the EIB has a catalytic impact in the EU in the short to medium-term. The Bank remains committed to its mandates outside the EU. The focus will rest on Pre-Accession countries and Neighbours in the East and the South. The Bank will take the necessary steps to address as best as possible the expectations of the European Parliament and Council within the resources available.

The priority objectives for the EIB’s lending activities set out in the Bank's operational plan are:

• Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Economic and Social Cohesion and Convergence i.e. supporting the economically less developed regions of Europe
• Protecting and improving the environment and promoting sustainable communities
• Implementation of the knowledge economy
• Development of Trans-European Networks (TENs)
• Supporting the establishment of a sustainable, competitive and secure energy supply.

Outside the EU, EIB lending is based on EU external cooperation and development policies according to mandates given to the Bank by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

The current EU Mandates are:

• Pre-Accession:
  Candidate and Potential Candidate Countries in the enlargement region
• European Neighbourhood:
  Mediterranean Neighbourhood
  EU Eastern Neighbours
  Central Asia
• Development:
  Africa, Pacific and Caribbean (ACP)
  Republic of South Africa
• Economic Cooperation:
  Asia and Latin America (ALA)

Lending under these mandates focuses on private sector development, infrastructure development, security of the energy supply, environmental sustainability and climate action.