Defence: Groupe BPCE is founding partner of the “Wars and Peace Forum”

The financing of the defence sector is a crucial issue at a time when geopolitical events are accelerating, placing sovereignty issues at the heart of concerns. Aware of these challenges, Groupe BPCE is stepping up its support for the players in the Defence Industrial and Technological Base (SMEs active in security and defence), as part of its Vision 2030 strategic project:

• The first financial institution in Europe to issue a bond dedicated to the defence sector - European Defence Bond, to serve the sovereignty and financing needs of defence companies.
• Nearly a third of the Defence Industrial and Technological Base's companies that are clients of the group (internal source, as of December 2025)
• Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne, the first French banks to sign an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support defence SMEs. This €300 million loan will enable Groupe BPCE, through the Banques Populaires and the Caisses d'Epargne, to increase its financing to the sector. A first tranche of €150 million is currently deployed within the two networks.

4,500 companies (SMEs and mid-caps) Source: Ministry of the Economy and Finance, conference of 20 March 2025.

220,000 direct and indirect jobs Source: Ministry of the Economy and Finance, conference of 20 March 2025.