How does the EIB differ from commercial banks?
The EIB is a non-profit, policy-driven public bank. The EIB does not: • take deposits • manage savings accounts to fund its assets • have private customers • manage personal bank accounts • conduct over-the-counter transactions • provide private investment advice • manage stock portfolios • provide overdraft or short term lending facilities. The EIB operates like a development bank, raising its resources on the financial and capital markets, mainly through bond issues or other specialised capital market operations. The EIB makes long-term loans for capital investment projects (mainly fixed assets) but does not provide grants. At a European level grants are managed by the European Commission.
