UniCredit announces the launch of the next phase of UniCredit for CEE, reinforcing its long-term commitment to small and medium-sized enterprises and microbusinesses across the region with over €2.6 billion in financing solutions until the end of 2027.
UniCredit for CEE is the Group's dedicated initiative to provide financing, advisory and guarantee-backed solutions to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across Central and Eastern Europe, supporting innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth. The expansion of the initiative is a clear demonstration of the strategic direction UniCredit is taking with the bold new phase, UniCredit Unlimited. It is defined by unlimited ambition not only for the group but also for the 20 million clients across Europe.
The new phase leverages 35 guarantee lines from the European Investment Fund, European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, , together with national development programmes, to accelerate access to more affordable funding for businesses in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Among the tangible benefits for the clients are lower collateral requirements, pricing advantages, dedicated advisory programmes and faster, simpler processes.
UniCredit for CEE will prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency, digitalization and innovation, the competitiveness of local supply chains and inclusive financing for entrepreneurs, including women- and youth-led businesses.
Building on solid foundations, UniCredit for CEE has already delivered over €2 billion in new lending under guarantee programs, supporting more than 18,000 micro, small and mid-sized enterprises since its launch in 2024.
Alongside UniCredit for CEE, UniCredit banks across the region provide a broad range of various financing and support for businesses. Overall investment in the real economy in CEE for the past year reached €15bn in loans to 430k micro and SMEs.
"The new €2.6 billion capacity, together with our European partnerships and enhanced distribution model, allows us to support thousands of entrepreneurs in their growth, innovation and green transition. This is fully aligned with our UniCredit Unlimited strategy, focused on accelerating quality growth, leveraging technology and empowering our people to deliver best-in-class solutions for our clients across Central and Eastern Europe", comments Teodora Petkova, Head of Central and Eastern Europe, UniCredit.
Milan, 5 March 2026
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