Düsseldorf/Münster, February 25, 2026
From now on, NRW.BANK intends to work more closely with other European promotional banks to promote activities relating to security and defence. It has therefore become the first German state promotional bank to sign the Memorandum of Understanding, ‘Cooperation Framework for Security and Defence’. This is a collaborative initiative involving the national promotional banks of France (CDC), Germany (KfW), Italy (CDP), Poland (BGK), and Spain (ICO), as well as the European Investment Bank (EIB). The initiative is open to promotional banks from across Europe. The focus is on the joint financing of investments in innovation, industrial capacities and infrastructure.
“Security and defence are not merely military matters. They also encompass economic, societal and technological resilience. Together with the European promotional banks, we are creating strong promotional incentives for a more resilient Europe,” said Gabriela Pantring, Chairwoman of NRW.BANK’s Managing Board. “A pan-European approach is exactly the right way forward in this context. In view of current geopolitical developments, working together makes more sense than ever.”
As the promotional bank for North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.BANK strengthens the security, resilience and future viability of the state on various levels. Gabriela Pantring commented: “Security begins in the town hall. After all, local infrastructure is a central component of a resilient economy and society. This is why we finance investments in the equipment and modernisation of the fire service, emergency services or civil protection – as well as in resilient energy and transport infrastructures.”
NRW.BANK also supports companies and start-ups in developing dual-use technologies in a safe, marketable and responsible manner. In doing so, it promotes solutions that offer both civilian and security-relevant applications – thereby contributing to the protection of society and strengthening economic competitiveness in equal measure. This includes, for example, innovations in areas such as AI, robotics, drone technology and cybersecurity.
By joining the Memorandum of Understanding, ‘Cooperation Framework for Security and Defence’, NRW.BANK is taking another step to embed its promotional activities for security and defence in a more strategic way. The main objective is to intensify the exchange of expertise across Europe and to strengthen cooperation in this area. This also includes the possibility of joint financings and advisory services, particularly for cross-border initiatives.
For more information about NRW.BANK, visit www.nrwbank.com
NRW.BANK - the promotional bank for North Rhine-Westphalia
NRW.BANK is the promotional bank of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). In close partnership with its owner, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Bank helps to strengthen SMEs and start-ups, create affordable housing and improve public infrastructure. To fulfil its mandate, NRW.BANK offers people, enterprises and local authorities tailor-made financing solutions and advisory services. It cooperates with its financing partners, in particular all banks and savings banks, on a competition-neutral basis. NRW.BANK operates largely independently of the state budget. In order to accelerate the transformation processes, the promotional bank provides effective promotional impulses – for a sustainable, climate-neutral and digital North Rhine-Westphalia.