Press releases
French banks : 22% increase in financing for the defense sector in six months
Financing the defense industry is a major strategic priority for French and European sovereignty. In a context marked by the ramp-up of the Defense Industrial and Technological Base (BITD), French banks are fully mobilised to support its development.
They provide support to companies through bank lending, guarantees and export finance solutions, and more broadly contribute to the overall momentum of the sector.
As of June 30th, 2025, total financing commitments granted by France’s six leading banking groups to the French BITD exceeded €45.2 billion (on- and off-balance sheet), representing an increase of 22% from end-2024 and 75% from 2021*.
In addition, French banks continue to support BITD exports, with outstanding buyer credit amounting to €11.4 billion as of June 30th, 2025.
As of the same date, direct investments (own account) by the six major French banking groups in the equity of French BIRD companies totaled more than €500 million.
French banking groups also provide €22 billion (on- and off-balance sheet) in financing to other major European BITD companies, and more than €2 billion to their clients through buyers’ credit.
This mobilisation is also reflected in numerous complementary initiatives beyond those already presented on March 20th, 2025, and beyond traditional bank financing. The French Banking Federation is giving some examples alongside this press release.
* The comparison with 2021 is based on a sample of four out of six banks, as 2021 figures were not available for two banking networks.
Complementary initiatives to traditional financing of the defence sector – march 2026 (PDF)
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