EIB Group and Ameriabank strengthen support for Armenian businesses  through EU- backed guarantee

ArmInfo.  The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) - jointly the EIB Group - are joining forces with Ameriabank to expand access to  finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in  Armenia.

The operation consists of a partial portfolio guarantee, enabling  Ameriabank to build a portfolio of new loans of up to EUR 106.25  million, supporting business growth and economic resilience. 

This new initiative builds on the existing partnership between the  EIB and Ameriabank and represents the second direct operation between  the institutions.It aims to improve access to finance for Armenian  MSMEs, particularly those that face challenges in obtaining  affordable funding. 

The operation is expected to benefit approximately 900 MSMEs and  sustain over 5 000 jobs across Armenia, contributing to the country's  economic development and private- sector growth. The signing ceremony  took place in Yerevan, with Chief Financial Officer of Ameriabank  Hovhannes Toroyan and EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. 

Ambassador of the European Union to Armenia Vassilis Maragos  addressed the event on behalf of the European Union."Small businesses  are the backbone of Armenia's economy, and access to finance can make  all the difference for their growth. With this agreement, we are  creating real opportunities for entrepreneurs to invest, expand and  build more resilient businesses. It's about making sure good ideas  are not held back by lack of funding," said EIB Vice-President Karl  Nehammer, who oversees the Bank's operations in Armenia.

The guarantee is made possible thanks to financial support under the  EU4Business Guarantee Facility. This initiative is part of the  European Union's broader efforts to promote sustainable economic  development, enhance competitiveness and foster innovation in  Armenia.

"Supporting small businesses means supporting jobs, innovation and  the long-term prosperity of Armenia. Through this partnership with  Ameriabank and the European Investment Bank, we are helping Armenian  companies access the financing they need to grow, diversify and find  new markets. The guarantee signed today is a practical example of our  deepening political and economic cooperation, based on the recently  adopted Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership.  The  Strategic Agenda reaffirms the European Union's commitment to  supporting Armenia in strengthening its societal resilience and  economic competitiveness, which go hand in hand with private  investment and the creation of new jobs," commented EU Ambassador to  Armenia Vassilis Maragos.

"Supporting small businesses is a strategic direction for Ameriabank,  and this partnership allows us to reach even more businesses that are  ready to grow but need the right financial support to do so. By  expanding access to financing, we will continue to help entrepreneurs  turn their plans into reality, strengthen their operations, and -  most importantly - contribute more actively to Armenia's economy. Our  partnership is about enabling progress where it matters most,"  concluded Chief Financial Officer of Ameriabank Hovhannes  Toroyan.Background information EIB?Group 

The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is the financing arm of the  European Union, owned by the 27 Member States, and one of the largest  multilateral development banks in the world. In 2025, the EIB Group  signed EUR 100 billion in new financing and advisory services for  over 870 high-impact projects under eight core priorities that  support EU policy objectives: climate action and the environment,  digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence,  territorial cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social  infrastructure, strong global partnerships and the savings and  investments union. Beyond long-term loans for large infrastructure,  the EIB Group crowds in private investment for high- risk innovative  projects and businesses, with a growing role in Europe's markets for  venture debt, venture capital, guarantees and securitisations. 

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is the subsidiary of the EIB Group  specialised in providing guarantees and equity to improve access to  finance for small and medium-sized businesses and startups across  Europe. Acting as an anchor investor, through its extensive network  of partnering banks and investment funds, the EIF mobilises private  investment and nurtures the ecosystem of venture capital funds to  support innovative European entrepreneurs. In 2023, the EIF together  with six Member States (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and  the Netherlands) launched the European Tech Champions Initiative, a  fund-of-funds to scale up innovative startups. To date, this  initiative has already enabled the creation of 14 European venture  capital mega-funds and scaled up 43 companies, including 11 unicorns  (with more than EUR 1 billion in capital). Photos of the EIB Group's  representatives and headquarters, logo files and video B-roll for  media use are available here.? 

Ameriabank CJSCAmeriabank is a leading financial and technology  company in Armenia, a major contributor to the Armenian economy. In  line with its digital transformation strategy, the bank continually  introduces and enhances innovative products, services and platforms  designed to meet the evolving financial and non- financial needs of  its customers. Ameriabank, as a dynamically growing fintech space,  offers seamless solutions to improve the quality of life.The Bank is  supervised by the Central Bank of Armenia.

According to the Financial Rating of Armenian Banks as of December  31, 2025, prepared by ArmInfo Investment Company, Ameriabank is the  leader in corporate lending volume - 1.1 trillion drams ($2.8  billion), providing a 2.2-fold growth over the past three years and a  29.1% annual growth. Ameriabank ranks 2nd in SME lending - 335.2  billion drams ($879 million), with a 2-fold growth over the past  three years and a 24% annual growth.  SME lending accounts for 19% of  the bank's loan portfolio, and Ameriabank's share of the total volume  of such loans in the market exceeds 18%. Loans to SMEs account for  over 31% of Ameriabank's corporate loan portfolio. Ameriabank is the  most active lender to priority sectors of the economy - industry,  agriculture, construction, and trade - with a total of 852 billion  drams ($2.2 billion) invested in them. This represents over 79% of  the bank's corporate loans, and their share in the bank's overall  loan portfolio reaches 48%.