The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced it is providing €220 million in financing to Nexi Group, Europe’s largest PayTech company, to “support innovation in the digital payments sector.”
The EIB said: “This is the first EIB loan granted to a publicly listed company in the digital payments sector, underscoring Nexi’s commitment to advancing the digital and technological transition.”
The agreement was announced in Milan by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Nexi Group CFO Bernardo Mingrone.
Nexi, listed on Euronext Milan, will use the EIB funds to develop and manage projects aimed at modernising digital payments in Europe, and to finance specific initiatives that leverage the expertise of Nexi Digital, a European technological innovation hub created in collaboration with Italian company Reply.
“The identified projects are fully aligned with Nexi Group’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives, which have already been communicated to the market,” said the EIB.
“These include promoting digital payment innovation across Europe, creating jobs for young people and in disadvantaged areas, and enhancing environmental sustainability by optimizing data centres and developing cloud-based activities.”
EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti said: “This operation represents a major step forward in the development of Europe-wide digital payment solutions, helping to reduce the use of cash and prevent fraud and tax evasion.
“This operation highlights the EIB’s commitment to promoting digitalisation and innovation in businesses and public sector organisations, which are key elements of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.”
Nexi Group CFO Bernardo Mingrone added: “We are proud that the European Investment Bank has recognised our ongoing commitment to the development of innovative products and services promoting digital payment reliability and security, two key requirements for rolling out these services in the European countries where we operate.
“This agreement is further confirmation that even major players like the EIB recognise Nexi’s vital role in developing and supporting digitalisation in Europe.”