CEC Bank has signed a new guarantee agreement with the Romanian Investment and Development Bank (BID), enabling the bank to grant loans worth up to 740 million lei to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), backed by a 520 million lei guarantee ceiling provided by BID. The partnership strengthens the portfolio guarantee mechanism designed to expand access to finance for Romanian entrepreneurs.

According to Bogdan Neacșu, President of CEC Bank, the agreement allows the bank to accelerate SME financing and respond more effectively to the needs of local entrepreneurs. The guarantee mechanism enables banks to take on greater risks sustainably, supporting private initiatives and innovative projects aligned with real-economy development goals.

As part of this program, CEC Bank will be able to issue loans with guarantees of up to 70%, and for certain project categories, up to 80%. The collaboration with BID also supports CEC Bank’s alignment with green financing objectives, focusing on investments contributing to climate neutrality and energy efficiency.

“CEC Bank is a natural partner for BID – together we build a chain of trust between the state, banks and beneficiaries. Through these agreements, we activate a real development mechanism: guarantees that unlock credit and investments that give purpose to both public and private capital,” stated Dan Sandu, BID’s General Director.

The new guarantee mechanism helps reduce the financing gap for SMEs by simplifying access to credit and lowering guarantee costs. Unlike traditional systems, the portfolio guarantee covers part of the total credit risk, allowing banks to grant loans faster and with less capital consumption.

This agreement marks a strategic step for CEC Bank as it broadens its client base by reaching underserved segments such as start-ups, liberal professions and innovative companies. At the same time, the collaboration with BID lays the groundwork for co-financing major development projects and strengthening Romania’s financial ecosystem.