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The European Investment Bank is owned by the 27 member states of the EU and is considered the largest multilateral financial institution globally.
Answer: True
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is indeed the investment bank of the European Union, collectively owned by its 27 member states, and is recognized as the largest multilateral financial institution globally.
The EIB's Board of Governors is composed of the central bank governors of the European Union member states.
Answer: False
The EIB's Board of Governors is composed of the *finance ministers* of the European Union member states, not the central bank governors.
Members of the Management Committee are appointed for a renewable period of six years and are solely responsible to the bank.
Answer: True
Members of the Management Committee are appointed for a renewable period of six years and are indeed solely responsible to the bank, as stipulated by their appointment process.
What is the primary identity and ownership structure of the European Investment Bank (EIB)?
Answer: The investment bank of the European Union, collectively owned by the 27 member states.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) functions as the investment bank of the European Union and is collectively owned by its 27 member states.
What is the legal basis for the establishment and operation of the EIB?
Answer: Article 308 et seq. of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
The EIB is established by Article 308 et seq. of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which serves as its legal basis.
Who comprises the EIB's Board of Governors?
Answer: The finance ministers of the European Union member states.
The EIB's Board of Governors is composed of the finance ministers of the European Union member states.
For how long are the members of the Management Committee appointed?
Answer: A renewable period of six years.
Members of the Management Committee are appointed for a renewable period of six years.
The EIB primarily funds projects that can be entirely financed by individual member states, aiming to supplement national resources.
Answer: False
The EIB primarily funds projects that *cannot* be entirely financed by the various means available in individual member states, aiming to address funding gaps where national resources are insufficient.
The European Investment Bank is primarily funded through direct contributions from the annual budget of the European Union.
Answer: False
The European Investment Bank operates with financial autonomy and is not funded through the direct budget of the EU. Instead, it raises capital by issuing bonds in international capital markets.
Holding a triple-A credit rating allows the EIB to borrow money at lower interest rates, which benefits projects aligning with EU policy objectives.
Answer: True
The EIB's triple-A credit rating enables it to borrow funds at lower interest rates, a financial advantage that is then passed on to projects that align with the European Union's policy objectives.
The EIB's financial products are limited to long-term loans and guarantees, as equity investments are handled exclusively by the European Investment Fund.
Answer: False
The EIB offers a range of financial products, including long-term loans, equity investments, and guarantees. It directly makes equity investments, and the European Investment Fund (EIF) complements these activities, rather than exclusively handling them.
The EIB provides direct financing for single large investment projects starting from €25 million for the private sector.
Answer: True
The EIB provides direct financing for single large investment projects, with the threshold starting from €25 million for the private sector.
The EIB's investments in equity and debt funds typically cover 50% of the total fund size.
Answer: False
The EIB's investments in equity and debt funds typically cover 10% to 20% of the total fund size, with a maximum of 25%, not 50%.
What is the EIB's primary funding criterion for projects?
Answer: Projects that cannot be entirely financed by the various means available in the individual member states.
The EIB's fundamental criterion for project funding is to support projects that cannot be fully financed by the various national resources available in individual member states.
How does the European Investment Bank primarily raise its funds?
Answer: By issuing bonds in the international capital markets.
The European Investment Bank primarily raises its funds by issuing bonds in the international capital markets, operating with financial autonomy from the EU budget.
What advantage does the EIB's triple-A credit rating provide?
Answer: It enables the bank to borrow money at lower interest rates.
The EIB's triple-A credit rating allows it to borrow funds at lower interest rates, a key advantage that benefits the projects it finances.
Which of the following is NOT a primary financial product or service offered by the EIB?
Answer: Short-term consumer credit.
The EIB offers long-term loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services. Short-term consumer credit is not listed among its primary financial products or services.
What is the typical maximum percentage of a project's total cost that EIB long-term loans cover?
Answer: Up to 50%.
EIB long-term loans typically cover up to 50% of a project's total cost.
Which of the following EU shared management funds does fi-compass offer tailored advice for?
Answer: The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
fi-compass offers tailored advice for using financial instruments under various EU shared management funds, including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
What percentage of the EIB's investments in equity and debt funds typically cover the total fund size?
Answer: 10% to 20%, with a maximum of 25%.
The EIB's investments in equity and debt funds typically cover 10% to 20% of the total fund size, with a maximum of 25%.
What is fi-compass?
Answer: A comprehensive advisory service platform jointly developed by the European Commission and the EIB Group.
fi-compass is a comprehensive advisory service platform jointly developed by the European Commission and the EIB Group, providing practical knowledge on financial instruments.
What is the maximum percentage of the total fund size that EIB's investments in equity and debt funds cover?
Answer: 25%
The EIB's investments in equity and debt funds typically cover 10% to 20% of the total fund size, with a maximum of 25%.
The EIB was the first institution worldwide to issue green bonds, a step it took in 2007.
Answer: True
The EIB holds the distinction of being the first institution globally to issue green bonds, which it did in 2007, demonstrating its early leadership in green finance.
Approximately 90% of the EIB's activities are conducted within the European Union to promote integration and development.
Answer: True
The EIB's geographical scope indicates that approximately 90% of its activities are carried out within the European Union to advance European integration and development.
The EIB's funding criteria for projects outside the EU are distinct from those within the EU, focusing solely on poverty reduction.
Answer: False
The EIB's funding criteria for projects, whether inside or outside the EU, are consistent, focusing on projects in less developed regions, those not solely fundable by individual member states, or those benefiting multiple member states. While poverty reduction is a goal for external investments, it is not the *sole* focus, and the core criteria apply broadly.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EIB approved the Pan-European Guarantee Fund (EGF) of €25 billion to mobilize additional financing for European SMEs.
Answer: True
As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EIB approved the Pan-European Guarantee Fund (EGF) of €25 billion, designed to mobilize up to €200 billion in additional financing for European SMEs.
The EIB Group Climate Bank Roadmap 2021–2025 commits the bank to align its activities with the Paris Agreement goals by the end of 2025, not 2020.
Answer: False
The EIB Group Climate Bank Roadmap 2021–2025 commits the bank to aligning its activities with the Paris Agreement goals by the end of 2020, not 2025.
The EIB supports infrastructure projects ranging from sustainable transport and energy efficiency to cultural heritage preservation and water management.
Answer: True
The EIB supports a wide array of infrastructure projects, including sustainable transport, energy efficiency, cultural heritage preservation, and water and wastewater management.
The EIB's annual target for cohesion financing is 50% of all new operations in cohesion regions.
Answer: False
The EIB's annual target for cohesion financing is 30% of all new operations in cohesion regions, not 50%.
The Economic Resilience Initiative, launched by the EIB in 2016, supports regions outside Europe affected by the refugee crisis.
Answer: True
The Economic Resilience Initiative, introduced by the EIB in 2016, is specifically designed to support regions outside Europe that have been significantly impacted by the refugee crisis.
The EIB's Climate Bank Roadmap 2021–2025 includes a commitment to stop funding all high-carbon projects.
Answer: True
The EIB's Climate Bank Roadmap 2021–2025 explicitly includes a commitment to cease funding for all high-carbon projects.
Which of the following is NOT a main area of focus for the European Investment Bank's financing and investment activities?
Answer: Direct funding for national defense budgets of member states.
The EIB's main areas of focus include climate action, SMEs, development, cohesion, and infrastructure. Direct funding for national defense budgets is explicitly forbidden by EIB policy, as highlighted by a 2024 controversy.
What significant step did the EIB commit to in 2019 regarding fossil fuel projects?
Answer: To cease funding all fossil fuel projects by the end of 2021.
In 2019, the EIB committed to ceasing funding for all fossil fuel projects by the end of 2021 as part of its leadership in green finance.
What percentage of the EIB's activities occur within the European Union?
Answer: Approximately 90%.
Approximately 90% of the EIB's operational activities are conducted within the European Union to promote integration and development.
What is the EIB Group Climate Bank Roadmap 2021–2025 committed to by the end of 2020?
Answer: To align its activities with the Paris Agreement goals.
The EIB Group Climate Bank Roadmap 2021–2025 commits the bank to aligning its activities with the Paris Agreement goals by the end of 2020.
What is the EIB's annual target for cohesion financing in the European Union and Pre-Accession/EFTA countries?
Answer: 30% of all new operations.
The EIB's annual target for cohesion financing in the European Union and Pre-Accession/EFTA countries is 30% of all new operations.
Which of the following is NOT a type of infrastructure project supported by the EIB?
Answer: Luxury residential developments for private sale.
The EIB supports a wide range of infrastructure projects, including sustainable transport, energy efficiency, and water management, but not luxury residential developments for private sale.
What was the EIB's response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Answer: It provided financial resources, including approving the Pan-European Guarantee Fund (EGF) to mobilize financing for SMEs.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EIB provided financial resources, notably approving the Pan-European Guarantee Fund (EGF) to mobilize additional financing for European SMEs.
What is one of the key objectives of the EIB's innovation and skills financing?
Answer: To increase investment in research and development, education, and upskilling.
A key objective of the EIB's innovation and skills financing is to increase investment in research and development, education, and upskilling, among other areas.
The European Investment Bank was founded by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992, establishing it as a key financial pillar of the newly formed European Union.
Answer: False
The European Investment Bank was founded by the Treaty of Rome, which came into force on 1 January 1958, not the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992.
In 1968, the EIB relocated its headquarters from Brussels to Luxembourg City and adopted the global loan facility for SMEs.
Answer: True
In 1968, the EIB indeed moved its headquarters from Brussels to Luxembourg City and, in the same year, adopted the global loan facility for financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) was launched in 2014 with an initial aim to mobilize €100 billion in investments.
Answer: False
The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) was launched in 2014 with an initial aim to mobilize €315 billion in investments, not €100 billion.
How much had the EIB invested from its establishment in 1958 up to 2018?
Answer: Exceeding 1.1 trillion euros.
From its establishment in 1958 until 2018, the European Investment Bank's cumulative investments surpassed 1.1 trillion euros.
When and by what treaty was the European Investment Bank founded?
Answer: 1 January 1958, by the Treaty of Rome.
The European Investment Bank was founded on 1 January 1958 by the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community.
What was the impact of Brexit on the EIB's subscribed capital?
Answer: The remaining EU member states proportionally increased their capital subscriptions to maintain the overall subscribed capital.
Following Brexit, the EIB's Board of Governors decided that the remaining EU member states would proportionally increase their capital subscriptions to maintain the overall subscribed capital.
What was a significant early authorization for the EIB in 1962?
Answer: To finance projects outside the European Community (EC).
In 1962, the EIB was authorized to finance projects outside the European Community (EC), marking an early expansion of its operational scope.
Where did the EIB relocate its headquarters in 1968?
Answer: Luxembourg City
In 1968, the EIB relocated its headquarters from Brussels to Luxembourg City.
What new structural fund benefited the EIB in 1975?
Answer: The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The EIB benefited from the creation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in 1975, which provides financial support for regional development.
What was the initial aim of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) when launched in 2014?
Answer: To mobilize €315 billion in investments.
The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) was launched in 2014 with an initial aim to mobilize €315 billion in investments.
What was the architectural style certification achieved by the EIB's East Building, inaugurated in 2008?
Answer: BREEAM 'very good' certification.
The EIB's East Building, inaugurated in 2008, was the first building in continental Europe to achieve a 'very good' certification under the Bespoke Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM).
In 2024, the EIB announced a new policy to prioritize defense investment, aligning with the European Industrial Defence Strategy.
Answer: False
In 2024, a controversy arose because EIB policy *explicitly forbids* defense investment, despite calls for reconsideration and alignment with the European Industrial Defence Strategy.
The EIB has faced criticism regarding allegations of corruption in contract awards and misallocation of funds in various projects.
Answer: True
The EIB has indeed faced criticisms concerning allegations of corruption in contract awards and misallocation of funds across various projects it has financed or appraised.
The EIB's Transparency Policy has been widely praised by NGOs for consistently meeting international and EU standards on openness since its inception.
Answer: False
NGOs have criticized the EIB's Transparency Policy, with Article 19 accusing the bank in 2004 of failing to meet international and EU standards on openness, and concerns persisting despite policy updates.
In 2024, EU prosecutors launched a corruption probe into former EIB senior executives Werner Hoyer and Henry von Blumenthal.
Answer: True
In 2024, EU prosecutors initiated a corruption probe against former EIB senior executives Werner Hoyer and Henry von Blumenthal, alleging corruption, abuse of influence, and misappropriation of EU funds.
A 2011 report by the CEE Bankwatch Network commended the EIB for its leading role in supporting the EU's carbon emission reduction goals through its lending policy.
Answer: False
A 2011 report by the CEE Bankwatch Network *criticized* the EIB for a lending policy that allegedly failed to support the EU's carbon emission reduction goals, rather than commending it.
Reports in 2010 and 2015 from NGOs cleared the EIB of any involvement in tax avoidance schemes.
Answer: False
Reports from a coalition of NGOs in 2010 and 2015 *implicated* the EIB in tax avoidance by lending to businesses that utilize tax havens, rather than clearing it.
The European Parliament has raised serious concerns regarding the EIB's treatment of staff, citing allegations of harassment and bullying.
Answer: True
The European Parliament has indeed expressed serious concerns regarding the EIB's treatment of staff, specifically citing allegations of harassment and bullying, and a lack of social dialogue to address these issues.
The EIB's Audit Committee reports directly to the Management Committee, ensuring daily operational oversight.
Answer: False
The EIB's Audit Committee reports directly to the *Board of Governors*, not the Management Committee, and its function is to verify operations and accounts, not daily operational oversight.
KPMG has served as the external auditor for the European Investment Bank in recent years.
Answer: True
KPMG has indeed served as the external auditor for the European Investment Bank in recent years, appointed by the Audit Committee.
The EIB Compliance Function is primarily responsible for managing the bank's investment portfolio and maximizing returns.
Answer: False
The EIB Compliance Function is responsible for ensuring adherence to integrity standards, combating money laundering and terrorism financing, and fostering an ethical corporate culture, not for managing the investment portfolio or maximizing returns.
The European Court of Auditors has access to information necessary for auditing EU expenditure and revenue managed by the EIB.
Answer: True
According to Article 287(3) of the TFEU, the European Court of Auditors does have access to information required for auditing EU expenditure and revenue managed by the EIB.
EU citizens must first exhaust all national legal avenues before they can escalate concerns about an EIB project to the European Ombudsman.
Answer: False
EU citizens can escalate concerns about an EIB project to the European Ombudsman if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the EIB's *internal Complaints Mechanism*, not necessarily after exhausting all national legal avenues.
What controversy arose in 2024 regarding the EIB's investment policy?
Answer: The EIB's policy explicitly forbids defense investment, despite calls for reconsideration.
In 2024, a controversy emerged because the EIB's policy explicitly forbids defense investment, leading to calls for reconsideration from member states.
Which of the following is an allegation of criticism leveled against the EIB regarding its projects?
Answer: Corruption in contract awards and misallocation of funds.
Allegations of corruption in contract awards and misallocation of funds are among the criticisms leveled against the EIB concerning its projects.
What did Article 19 accuse the EIB of in 2004 regarding its Transparency Policy?
Answer: Failing to meet international and EU standards on openness.
In 2004, the British human rights organization Article 19 accused the EIB of failing to meet international and EU standards on openness regarding its Transparency Policy.
Who were the former EIB senior executives subject to a corruption probe in 2024?
Answer: Werner Hoyer and Henry von Blumenthal.
Former EIB senior executives Werner Hoyer and Henry von Blumenthal were the subjects of a corruption probe launched by EU prosecutors in 2024.
Which external body has access to information necessary for auditing the European Union's expenditure and revenue managed by the EIB?
Answer: The European Court of Auditors.
The European Court of Auditors has access to information necessary for auditing the European Union's expenditure and revenue managed by the EIB, as per Article 287(3) of the TFEU.
What is the role of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in relation to the EIB?
Answer: To combat fraud and corruption within European Institutions, including the EIB.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) collaborates with the EIB to combat fraud and corruption within European Institutions, ensuring the bank's operations are free from illicit activities.
What is the function of the EIB's Audit Committee?
Answer: To verify the bank's operations and the validity of its accounts.
The EIB's Audit Committee functions as an independent control body, primarily tasked with verifying the bank's operations and the validity of its accounts.
The European Investment Fund (EIF) is the majority shareholder of the EIB, holding 62% of its shares.
Answer: False
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the majority shareholder of the European Investment Fund (EIF), holding 62% of its shares. The EIB itself is owned by the 27 EU member states.
The EIB Institute, created in 2012, functions as an integral part of the EIB Group without a separate legal personality.
Answer: True
The EIB Institute, established in 2012, operates as an integral component of the EIB Group, lacking a separate legal personality, and focuses on community and citizenship engagement.
Dr. Werner Hoyer was the President of the European Investment Bank from 2002 to 2012.
Answer: False
Dr. Werner Hoyer served as the President of the European Investment Bank from January 2012 to January 2024, not from 2002 to 2012.
Nadia Calviño, the current President of the EIB, previously served as the First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain.
Answer: True
Nadia Calviño, the current President of the EIB as of 2024, previously held the position of First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain from July 2021 until December 2023.
The EIB Group was established in 2000 and comprises the European Investment Bank, the European Investment Fund, and the EIB Institute.
Answer: True
The EIB Group was indeed established in 2000 and consists of the European Investment Bank, the European Investment Fund, and the EIB Institute.
What is the role of the European Investment Fund (EIF) within the EIB Group?
Answer: It serves as the European Union's venture capital arm and provides guarantees for SMEs.
The European Investment Fund (EIF) functions as the European Union's venture capital arm and provides guarantees specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Who are the main shareholders of the European Investment Fund (EIF)?
Answer: The European Investment Bank (62%) and the European Commission (29%).
The European Investment Bank is the majority shareholder of the EIF (62%), with the European Commission holding a significant 29% of the shares.
When was the EIB Institute created?
Answer: 2012
The EIB Institute was created in 2012 to promote and support social, cultural, and academic initiatives.
Who was the President of the European Investment Bank from January 2012 to January 2024?
Answer: Dr. Werner Hoyer.
Dr. Werner Hoyer served as the President of the European Investment Bank from January 2012 to January 2024.
Who is the current President of the European Investment Bank as of 2024?
Answer: Nadia Calviño.
Nadia Calviño was appointed as the President of the European Investment Bank in January 2024.
What is the EIB Group, established in 2000, comprised of?
Answer: The European Investment Bank, the European Investment Fund, and the EIB Institute.
The EIB Group, established in 2000, is comprised of the European Investment Bank, the European Investment Fund, and the EIB Institute.
The EIB publishes annual reports such as the Activity Report, Financial Report, and Sustainability Report, available free of charge.
Answer: True
The EIB publishes a wide array of reports, including annual reports like the Activity Report, Financial Report, and Sustainability Report, which are available free of charge on its website.
The EIB's podcast series 'A Dictionary of Finance' won the SABRE Award in 2020.
Answer: False
The EIB's podcast series 'A Dictionary of Finance' won The Digital Communication Awards prize in 2019. The 'Monster under the Bed' podcast series won the SABRE Award in 2020.
What award did the EIB's podcast series 'A Dictionary of Finance' win in 2019?
Answer: The Digital Communication Awards prize for Best Channel.
The EIB's podcast series 'A Dictionary of Finance' won The Digital Communication Awards prize for Best Channel in 2019.