Geographic location where the impacts of the investment may be experienced.
Financial Institutions
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
International, regional and national development finance institutions. Many of these banks have a public interest mission, such as poverty reduction.
Environmental and social categorization assessed by the development bank as a measure of the planned project’s environmental and social impacts. A higher risk rating may require more due diligence to limit or avoid harm to people and the environment. For example, "A" or "B" are risk categories where "A" represents the highest amount of risk. Results will include projects that specifically recorded a rating, all other projects are marked ‘U’ for "Undisclosed."
Date when project documentation and funding is reviewed by the Board for consideration and approval. Some development banks will state a "board date" or "decision date." When funding approval is obtained, the legal documents are accepted and signed, the implementation phase begins.
Investment Amount (USD)
Not Disclosed
Value listed on project documents at time of disclosure. If necessary, this amount is converted to USD ($) on the date of disclosure. Please review updated project documents for more information.
Project Description
If provided by the financial institution, the Early Warning System Team writes a short summary describing the purported development objective of the project and project components. Review the complete project documentation for a detailed description.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
An uncommitted Trade Finance Programme (TFP) limit of up to EUR 5 million to Tirana Bank (TB), available for guarantees for up to 18 months, and cash advances for up to 6 months (sub-limit).
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The proposed uncommitted TFP limit will be instrumental in supporting this growth by unlocking additional commercial capacity, expanding the correspondent banking network, and promoting intra-regional trade. Additionally, the technical co-operation aspect of the project will enhance TB's expertise and know-how, diversify its product offerings, and foster the growth of its trade finance business.
TRANSITION IMPACT
ETI score: 61
The project supports theIntegratedandResilientTransition Impact qualities.
Under the Integrated transition quality, the TFP limit will expand access to, and availability of, trade finance across sectors which improves access of products and services to international markets.
The project will contribute to resilience of financial systems through skill transfer support by strengthening the trade finance capabilities of TB.
CLIENT INFORMATION
TB is currently the 6th largest bank in Albania by total assets and the 5th largest by loans, with market shares of 6.7 per cent and 9.2 per cent, respectively, as of end-3Q2024. Tirana Bank is a universal bank, with c.70 per cent of its loan book being in the corporate and c.30 per cent - in the retail sector. It operates through 33 branches located across the country, serves more than 140 thousand customers, and employs 564 staff.
EBRD FINANCE SUMMARY
EUR 5,000,000.00
TOTAL PROJECT COST
EUR 5,000,000.00
ADDITIONALITY
The project will offer a combination of a trade finance limit and technical assistance to support further the integration of Albanian trade, benefitting the real economy. The TFP line will contribute to the institutional development and transfer of trade finance know-how through individual advisory services and training courses for TB's personnel and clients as well as specialised technical assistance to support the origination and structuring of the green trade finance transactions under the TFP TC Framework.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SUMMARY
Categorised FI (ESP 2019). Tirana Bank ("TB") is a new client of the EBRD. Founded in 1996, TB was the first privately owned bank in Albania.
The use of proceeds will be used to support (I) the trade finance business of TB (up to EUR 5M) by issuing guarantees in favour of confirming banks and providing cash advances for pre-export, post-import and local distribution of imported goods (II) sub-loans (SME Reboot Loan of up to EUR 5M) to help finance investments in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Albania that will assist in improving the competitiveness and compliance with technical standards in line with the EU directives and other international recognized standards.
Environmental and social (E&S) due diligence has been undertaken based on a review of a ESDD questionnaire, publicly available information, and follow-up communication with the client by a virtual meeting and review of provided documentation. The E&S due diligence has identified gaps in compliance, mainly with PR9, considered low to medium E&S risk, and actions to close these have been included within an E&S Management Plan (ESMP), which will be agreed with the Client and included in the financing agreement. TB needs develop and adopt an E&S policy, procedures and methodology to manage and monitor its sub-loans, including their sub-borrowers' compliance with national regulations and legislation relating to environment, health and safety, and labour. TB is required to comply with the EBRD's Performance Requirements (PRs) 2, 4 and 9, including the Exclusion introduced with the EBRD's E&S Policy 2019; align with the EBRD's E&S Risk Management guidance; and submit Annual E&S Reports to the Bank. Sub-borrowers financed through TB 's loan must comply with national environmental, health, safety, and labour requirements.
If the EBRD's funding is used to finance renewable energy sub-projects, these must be managed by the relevant eligibility criteria outlined in the Policy Statement.
The project has defined use of proceeds under TFP programme and is determined Paris aligned based on the application of the Bank's Paris alignment methodology for indirect finance.
TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND GRANT FINANCING
Within the scope of the TFP facility, TB will be offered the regular TC projects within the TFP TC Framework, including but not limited to advisory services, places on the Trade Finance e-Learning Programme, and interactive workshops on different trade finance topics.
Contact Information
This section aims to support the local communities and local CSO to get to know which stakeholders are involved in a project with their roles and responsibilities. If available, there may be a complaint office for the respective bank which operates independently to receive and determine violations in policy and practice. Independent Accountability Mechanisms receive and respond to complaints. Most Independent Accountability Mechanisms offer two functions for addressing complaints: dispute resolution and compliance review.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
You can request information by emailing:
accessinfo@ebrd.com or by using this electronic form:
https://www.ebrd.com/eform/information-request
ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF EBRD
The Project Complaint Mechanism (PCM) is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the PCM, it may assess compliance with EBRD's own policies and procedures to prevent harm to the environment or communities or it may assist you in resolving the problem that led to the complaint through a dialogue with those implementing the project. Additionally, the PCM has the authority to recommend a project be suspended in the event that harm is imminent.
You can contact the PCM at:
pcm@ebrd.com or you can submit a complaint online using an online form at:
http://www.ebrd.com/eform/pcm/complaint_form?language=en
You can learn more about the PCM and how to file a complaint at:
http://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/project-finance/project-complaint-mechanism.html