The European Investment Bank (EIB) was set up in 1958 by the Treaty of Rome as the long-term lending Bank of the European Union. Its mission is "to contribute towards the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of the EU Member States." In addition to supporting projects in member states, it also provides finance to partner states in Africa and the Caribbean. The EIB’s microfinance strategy focuses on capacity building and investment financing with debt and equity products.