The European Investment Bank calls itself the world’s biggest multilateral financial institution by assets.
EU countries will also decide next year who will head the bloc’s top three institutions – the Commission, Council, and Parliament – plus its foreign policy chief. The frontrunners among the five candidates to replace him are Denmark’s Margrethe Vestager, a liberal European Commission vice-president in charge of the key competition portfolio, and Spain’s socialist finance minister Nadia Calvino.
The EIB is the lending arm of the EU and is active in 160 countries offering loans, guarantees, equity investments, and advisory services. It is especially focused on fighting climate change and preserving the environment and sustainable energy.