TL:DR – EIB President Calls for Acceleration of Savings and Investment Union on 5 February
• European Investment Bank (EIB) President Nadia Calviño stated the EU must realise the Savings and Investments Union in a letter to European Council President António Costa on 5 February 2026.
• Calviño emphasised accelerating the Savings and Investment Union strategy to redirect European savings to innovative businesses.
• The strategy aims to increase investor and business participation in European capital markets, addressing barriers to finance.
• Proposals include centralising financial market supervision and harmonising insolvency laws to improve market integration.
Make the Saving and Investment Union a reality, Calviño tells EU leaders
The European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño called for urgent action to implement the Savings and Investments Union in a letter sent to European Council President António Costa. This development, reported on 5 February 2026, comes as the informal European Council is set to convene on 12 February in Belgium, highlighting the pressing need to foster prosperity through better financial frameworks.
Calviño’s letter outlines key priorities for the European Investment Bank, including the acceleration of the Savings and Investments Union strategy. This legislative package aims to direct a portion of European savings towards investment in local businesses, which is crucial for enhancing economic growth in the region.
European Investment Bank Advocates Financial Integration
In her letter, Calviño stated, “The right frameworks and instruments need to be in place as soon as possible to make sure European savings are channelled to where they are most needed: innovative businesses across Europe.” She emphasised that increasing investor participation in European capital markets is essential for the continent to compete effectively with major economic blocs like the United States.
Calviño pointed out that access to finance is a significant barrier to investment. She noted that only 29% of US companies view this as a hindrance, compared to 45% of European companies.
Proposals for Legislative Harmonisation and Market Integration
The Savings and Investments Union aims to centralise operations and harmonise regulations at the European level to better integrate currently fragmented national markets. Among the proposed changes is the centralisation of financial market supervision and the harmonisation of insolvency laws, addressing inconsistencies among national regulators regarding European rules.
While there is broad support among EU countries for enhancing Europe’s geopolitical competitiveness, ongoing disagreements over specific legislative details pose challenges to timely reform.
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