Loans with EIB funding

About the EIB

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the financial institution of the European Union that deals with long-term investments in line with the Union’s policy objectives. Its mission is to promote integration and contribute to the socio-economic cohesion of member countries.

What are EIB-funded loans?

EIB funding is offered exclusively for financing operations with a minimum duration of 24 months and is intended to support pharmacies operating in the Italian territory.

This measure has been made possible thanks to an agreement between Banca Ifis and the EIB, designed to support the investment and development of pharmacies, with a specific focus on gender equality and female entrepreneurship.

Benefits

EIB-funded loans are designed to support the growth of pharmacies by providing medium/long-term financing with a financial advantage equal to a reduction of 25 bps annually.

Who is eligible

It is intended for all enterprises that meet the size requirements under the Community rules on State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs defined as enterprises with fewer than 250 employees at a consolidated level) based in Italy and registered with the Register of Companies, operating in the sector identified by the NACE Rev. 2.0 code47.73 (Pharmacies) or NACE Rev 2.1 code47.73 (Retail sale of pharmaceutical products) and in possession of the health licence to operate the pharmacy, to support the financing of investments with particular attention to gender equality and female entrepreneurship.

The financing is actually aimed at primarily supporting female entrepreneurship in pharmacies that satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

the share of capital in the pharmacy directly attributable to a female individual must be at least 51%
female representation among directors in general is at least 33%.

Purpose of the financing

The loans with EIB funding are intended for investment projects promoted by pharmacies, among which we highlight:

purchase of equity shares in an existing pharmacy, provided that the pharmacist is starting a new enterprise for the first time;
purchase or transfer of businesses to employees in the event of the previous owner’s retirement;
financial support for opening a new pharmacy, after allocation via a competition;
purchase of a property to be designated for the business activity ‘pharmacy’;
costs for the renovation or expansion of premises intended for pharmacy use;
purchase of new equipment intended for the pharmacy.

Such solutions may be accompanied by facilitating measures, subsidies, or state and regional grants.

The credit line will be provided by Banca Credifarma S.p.A., a financial institution specialised in financial services for pharmacies for the development and growth of the sector, subject to the management and coordination activity of Banca Ifis S.p.A.

Advertising message for promotional purposes. For the contractual conditions of the illustrated product, refer to the information sheets available at our branches and in the Transparency section of the websites www.bancaifis.it and www.bancacredifarma.it.