In January 2026, SID Bank became an associate member of the European Association of Guarantee Institutions (AECM). This membership strengthens SID Bank's commitment to further developing financial instruments that support the economy, with a particular emphasis on risk-taking, and enhances its international position.

Joining AECM provides direct access to proven European best practices in guarantee development as a form of financial instruments, facilitates the exchange of expertise within working groups, enables networking with institutions that have comparable mandates and experience, and ensures involvement in processes that advocate for members' interests before European institutions. Particularly important is the creation of a regulatory framework within which European development promotion institutions operate. This opens up additional opportunities for the bank to build partnerships, innovate, benchmark performance, and launch joint initiatives.

AECM members include development banks and guarantee institutions from 32 countries. These institutions manage guarantees totaling €218 billion and support around 6 million SMEs.

SID Bank actively participates in the association. It contributes to working groups on products, services, and financial instruments, including, where relevant, legal and state aid matters. The bank's key organizational units will be involved in this cooperation, and members of the Management Board will also take part in strategic events.

By joining AECM, SID Bank is upgrading its collaboration within various international associations of development and promotion institutions, such as NEFI, ELTI, and EAPB. This step strengthens SID Bank's risk management capacity, improves support for companies, confirms its commitment to cooperation in the European development environment, and reinforces its role as a leading provider of financing in Slovenia.