Bank of Ireland Reopens Applications under the expanded Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme

From left to right: Ricardo Frazão (EIF Structured Finance Manager Portfolio Guarantees), Oliver Gilvarry (Department of Finance Assistant Secretary General with responsibility for Banking), Lorraine Green (SBCI Product Manager), Colin Moran (SBCI CEO), Niamh Smyth (Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation), Martin Heydon (Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine), John Feeney, (CEO, Corporate & Commercial Banking, Bank of Ireland), Peter Burke (Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment), Noel Grealish (Minister of State for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development), Diarmaid Kehoe (Head of the EIB Group Office Ireland), Maeve Cotter (SBCI Senior Manager Sustainability Lending), and Vincent Van Steensel (EIF Head of Mandate Origination & Relationship Management).

 

From left to right: Ricardo Frazão (EIF Structured Finance Manager Portfolio Guarantees), Oliver Gilvarry (Department of Finance Assistant Secretary General with responsibility for Banking), Lorraine Green (SBCI Product Manager), Colin Moran (SBCI CEO), Niamh Smyth (Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation), Martin Heydon (Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine), John Feeney, (CEO, Corporate & Commercial Banking, Bank of Ireland), Peter Burke (Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment), Noel Grealish (Minister of State for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development), Diarmaid Kehoe (Head of the EIB Group Office Ireland), Maeve Cotter (SBCI Senior Manager Sustainability Lending), and Vincent Van Steensel (EIF Head of Mandate Origination & Relationship Management).

 

12 October 2026 – Bank of Ireland is now accepting applications under the expanded Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme, which is extended until 2029 and will expand to €1 billion.

This follows today’s announcement by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), and the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group).

As a participating institution, Bank of Ireland is providing access to low-cost, longer-term loan facilities under the Scheme to support businesses in investing for growth, implementing sustainability initiatives, and adapting to structural and market change. An additional discount is applicable for sustainable loans under the scheme.

John Feeney, Bank of Ireland Chief Executive, Corporate and Commercial Banking, said: “Bank of Ireland is delighted to participate in the second phase of the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme that will provide businesses with access to low-cost, long-term finance for growth and sustainability investments. Supporting Irish SMEs to invest and innovate is critical to grow the Irish economy and boost national economic resilience. I would encourage all SMEs to explore how this scheme can help them achieve their growth and sustainability ambitions.”

The Growth and Sustainability Loan scheme is designed to back eligible SMEs, including farmers, foresters and fishers by supporting business investment, capital expenditure and investment in sustainability initiatives through competitively priced, long-term lending. Loans are available with terms of between seven and ten years, helping businesses invest in growth, improve competitiveness and support their transition to a more sustainable future. Loans up to €500,000 are unsecured.

Loan amounts range from €25,000 to €3,000,000, with unsecured loans available for amounts of up to €500,000.

These loans are designed to support long-term investment in business growth and resilience, as well as climate action and environmental sustainability measures. Qualifying loans attract a reduced interest rate compared to equivalent standard business loans.

Eligible categories include investment in green or sustainable measures; investment by SMEs classified as a Green Enterprise; and investment by farmers classified as holders of a Green Eco Label.

ENDS