The European Investment Bank (the Banque Européenne d'Investissement) is the European Union's financing institution and was established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome to provide financing for capital investment furthering European Union policy objectives, in particular regional development, Trans-European Networks of transport, telecommunications and energy, research, development and innovation, environmental improvement and protection, health and education. Contrary to one implied meaning of the bank's name, the EIB is not an investment bank. Outside the Union, the EIB contributes to European development co-operation policy in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in the various agreements linking the Union to some 130 countries in Central, South and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean region, Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

The task of the European Investment Bank, the European Union's financing institution, is to contribute towards the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of the Member States.

To this end, it raises on the markets substantial volumes of funds which it directs on the most favourable terms towards financing capital projects according with the objectives of the Union.

Outside the Union the EIB implements the financial components of agreements concluded under European development aid and cooperation policies.

The headquarters is situated in Boulevard Konrad Adenauer in Kirchberg, Luxembourg. The building's first phase was designed by British architect Sir Denys Lasdun and is one of his few works outside the UK.