Maib, EBRD and the European Union mobilize up to EUR 50 million to finance SMEs in Moldova

Maib, Moldova’s largest bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are expanding their strategic partnership to support the business sector through a new Portfolio Risk Sharing (PRS) facility backed by the European Union. The facility is expected to unlock up to EUR 50 million in new financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Republic of Moldova.

The agreement was signed by Macar Stoianov, Deputy Chairman of maib, and Arvid Tuerkner, EBRD Managing Director for Ukraine and Moldova, during the EU–Moldova Investment Conference held in Chișinău.

The new facility builds on the strong results achieved under the first PRS transaction implemented in 2024. Through the EBRD-backed guarantee mechanism, more than 500 maib clients gained access to financing, supporting the implementation of over 700 investment projects across various sectors of the economy. These results demonstrate the vital role access to finance plays in driving investment, creating jobs, and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The new facility, structured as an unfunded guarantee, will enable maib to further expand its lending activity while optimizing capital usage in line with evolving regulatory requirements. By sharing 50% of the credit risk associated with newly originated loans, the EBRD will help free up capital and strengthen maib’s capacity to finance private-sector growth.

The facility benefits from first-loss risk coverage provided by the European Union through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) Financial Inclusion programme. The mechanism supports sustainable investments across EU partner countries and enables financial institutions to expand access to finance while effectively managing risk and capital requirements.

Through this portfolio risk-sharing structure, maib will be able to extend additional financing without impacting its regulatory capital position, further supporting business development and economic activity across the country.

The facility is expected to improve access to finance for underserved segments, including women-led and youth-led businesses, as well as enterprises operating outside the capital city. At the same time, it will contribute to strengthening the resilience of the financial sector and enhancing the competitiveness of Moldova’s economy.

Maib has been a trusted EBRD partner since 1995. The long-standing cooperation between the two institutions spans trade finance, credit lines, equity investments, and programmes designed to support private-sector development. Over the years, the partnership has continued to grow, helping Moldovan businesses access financing and contributing to the development of a more modern, competitive, and resilient economy.

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