While the United States struggles to develop a national infrastructure investment plan, the European Union has been operating a transna- tional, publically chartered infrastructure bank for longer than half a century. Founded in 1957, the European Investment Bank funds criti- cal projects throughout Europe and in developing nations worldwide to the tune of tens of billions of dollars every year. The bank is capitalized by funds from its 27 member states but also raises a large portion of its capital from issuing bonds. These funds are used to offer low-interest, long-term loans to both public and private entities, as well as loan guarantees.
