On 30 September 2016 BNP Paribas Investment Partners completed the €500 million final close of the BNP Paribas European SME Debt Fund (‘the Fund’), attracting a range of leading European institutional investors.  The Fund finances small and medium sized enterprises in Europe through a unique solution combining bank lending and fund financing.

Strong demand has resulted in the Fund reaching its target of €500 million at first close, offering institutional investors, including insurers and pension funds, access to an innovative way to diversify their credit exposure.  Included in the investors are AG2R La Mondiale, BNP Paribas Cardif, CNP Assurances, l’ERAFP, Federal Finance Gestion (on behalf of Suravenir), La France Mutualiste, Groupama, MACIF, MAIF, Pensio B OFP and the BNP Paribas Group, as well as the European Investment Fund (‘EIF’), part of the European Investment Bank Group, which helps European SMEs to access financing.