UniCredit Launches €2.3bn Programme to Support SMEs in Central and Eastern Europe

UniCredit, a leading European bank, has launched a new initiative called “UniCredit for CEE 2025” aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The bank has allocated a substantial €2.3 billion ($2.37 billion) to this programme, which will provide financial, operational, and advisory services to businesses in the region.

This new programme follows the success of UniCredit’s 2024 initiative, which assisted over 9,300 businesses with more than €2 billion in funding. The announcement was made at The Central & Eastern European Forum in Vienna, Austria, where over 2,000 financial stakeholders from 45 countries were in attendance.

Key features of the “UniCredit for CEE 2025” programme include access to over €2.3 billion across 57 programmes in collaboration with international partners such as the European Investment Bank, European Investment Fund, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Benefits for businesses participating in the programme include reduced collateral requirements, special account conditions, tailored account management services, fee waivers for third-sector organizations, and bespoke packages for new clients.

UniCredit CEE head Teodora Petkova emphasized the bank’s commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of businesses in the CEE region, stating, “CEE is a strategic region of growth for Europe and UniCredit. We are a strong and reliable partner, supporting our clients through innovative initiatives like UniCredit for CEE, as we seek to deliver on our purpose to empower the communities that we operate in to progress.”

Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, UniCredit’s macroeconomists predict that CEE economies will outpace Western Europe, with growth expected to be between 2% and 3% in 2025. This positive outlook bodes well for SMEs in the region looking to expand and innovate.

In a related development, UniCredit Leasing Serbia (UCL) is set to receive a senior loan of up to €40 million from the EBRD to support leasing options for SMEs in Serbia, promoting their expansion and adoption of green economy practices.

Overall, UniCredit’s “UniCredit for CEE 2025” programme represents a significant investment in the growth and sustainability of SMEs in Central and Eastern Europe, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to empowering businesses in the region.
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