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Bigbank Signs Its First Synthetic Securitisation with the European Investment Bank Group

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On   25 February   2026, Bigbank  AS  ("Bigbank")  signed  its  first  synthetic
securitisation  transaction  with  the  EIB  Group,  consisting  of the European
Investment Bank ("EIB") and the European Investment Fund ("EIF") The transaction
aims  to support new lending to  small and medium-sized enterprises ("SMEs") and
mid-caps  in Estonia,  Latvia and  Lithuania, with  a particular focus on micro-
enterprises, early-stage companies and environmental sustainability.

Under the transaction, the EIF provides Bigbank with a financial guarantee
covering a reference portfolio of over 210 million euros, consisting of loans,
credit lines and leases originated in the three Baltic States and Finland. More
specifically, the guarantee offers credit risk protection for the senior tranche
of 184 million euros and the mezzanine tranche of 23 million euros. The EIF's
exposure to the mezzanine tranche, as well as part of its exposure to the senior
tranche, is in turn counter?guaranteed by the EIB. The junior tranche of the
reference portfolio, amounting to approximately 3 million euros, is fully
retained by Bigbank.

The transaction will result in a reduction in Bigbank's regulatory capital
requirements. In accordance with the undertakings set out in the transaction
documentation, Bigbank plans to redeploy the released capital by originating
approximately 254 million euros of additional financing to SMEs and mid?caps
over the next three years.

Comment by Argo Kiltsmann, CFO of Bigbank:

"This  first synthetic securitisation transaction  is an important milestone for
Bigbank.  It  helps  to  finance  small  and medium-sized enterprises in all the
Baltic countries with better pricing terms in the total amount up to 254 million
euros. Together with the European Investment Bank Group we are helping Estonian,
Latvian  and Lithuanian  businesses to  grow and  fulfil their  plans which need
affordable financing."

Comment by Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of EIF:

"This  first synthetic  securitisation with  Bigbank marks  an important step in
expanding  access to finance for businesses  across the Baltics. By sharing risk
with  the bank, our aim is to unlock  fresh lending for businesses that form the
backbone   of   local  economies.  The  transaction  supports  entrepreneurship,
strengthens  the financial sector, and channels capital in the direction of real
economic and social impact."

Comment by Karl Nehammer, Vice-President of EIB:

"This  agreement with Bigbank  demonstrates once again  how innovative financial
tools   can   strengthen   Europe's  economy  by  directing  more  financing  to
microenterprises  that need it most. By helping  Bigbank free up capital for new
lending,  we  are  enabling  thousands  of  Baltic  SMEs and mid?caps to invest,
innovate  and  grow.  This  way,  we  are  supporting  sustainable and inclusive
economic development across the region."

Background information

Bigbank                            AS                            (www.bigbank.eu
(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=keFpeBThTw9J7aEfMQ56UnOFVprt-
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OK8R65DPo21J4BuTt5MGSJGiQP8_AXQ8Qj42ixsaPD6yioqqgENKGw6YyurwUrEiBPTx8Q3WNCdxpI83
Lc3zCSFStHsw==)),  with over 30 years of operating history, is a commercial bank
owned  by  Estonian  capital.  As  of  31 January 2026, the  bank's total assets
amounted  to 3.4 billion euros,  with equity  of 303 million euros. Operating in
nine  countries, the bank serves over  190,000 active customers and employs more
than  650 people. The credit rating agency Moody's  has assigned Bigbank a long-
term  bank deposit rating of Ba1, along  with a baseline credit assessment (BCA)
and an adjusted BCA of Ba2.

The EIB?Group??

The European Investment Bank (EIB (https://www.eib.org/)) Group is the financing
arm of the European Union, owned by the 27 Member States, and one of the largest
multilateral  development banks in the world. In 2025, the EIB Group signed 100
billion  euros of new  financing and advisory  services for over 870 high-impact
projects      (https://www.eib.org/en/about/key-figures/index) in eight     core
priorities         (https://www.eib.org/en/about/at-a-glance/eib-core-strategic-
priorities) that  support EU policy objectives (https://www.eib.org/en/about/at-
a-glance/index.htm):  climate  action  and  the  environment, digitalisation and
technological   innovation,   security   and   defence,   territorial  cohesion,
agriculture   and   the   bioeconomy,   social   infrastructure,  strong  global
partnerships  and the savings  and investment union.  Beyond long-term loans for
large  infrastructures, the EIB Group crowds-in private investment for high-risk
innovative  projects and businesses, with a growing role in Europe's markets for
venture debt, venture capital, guarantees and securitisations.

The  European  Investment  Fund  (EIF  (https://www.eif.org/index.htm))  is  the
subsidiary  of the EIB Group specialised  in providing guarantees  and equity to
improve  access to  finance for  small and  medium size  businesses and startups
across  Europe. Acting as  an anchor investor,  through its extensive network of
partnering  banks and investment funds, the EIF mobilizes private investment and
nurtures  the ecosystem of venture capital  funds to support innovative European
entrepreneurs.

Additional information:

Argo Kiltsmann
Member of the Management Board
Telephone: +372 5393 0833
Email: [email protected]
(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=5i1BF8F8shbO8gWNigsxd9GRTLPHHfZhPdUm
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lymfBxOZnVLstz5IrP-1RLbs-_SmHHB5uIUwqmLYW-U5Zfn7KokHY3zVQQAmme2U)
www.bigbank.ee
(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=keFpeBThTw9J7aEfMQ56UgOa2dPeFDZlVEoI
G67lVsB_JtfQwof05px3IOLsro3dE_JAcHxzwFfSSXijhEMQkKauwR1_fbnRqlLNH9QIB70Kgvc1e4Bv
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CM4jiF4TTsDaFQ==)

EIB      Group:      Kristiina     Randmaa,     email:     [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) ; telephone: +352 4379 72894
Website:    www.eib.org/press   (http://www.eib.org/press)   -   Press   Office:
+352 4379 21000 - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])