The European Investment Bank released a total of 79 billion euros (USD107 billion) in loans in 2009. This reflects a 37 percent increase from its 58 billion euros total lending in 2008. The bank’s 2009 lending focused on economically weaker European regions, small and medium-sized enterprises and sustainable energy. European countries benefited from more than 89 percent of the 2009 lending, with the rest going to countries outside the bloc, according to a statement from the bank.