What we finance

NIB provides loans and guarantees to private and public limited companies, governments, municipalities and financial institutions.

Find out more about the general conditions for granting loans, including purpose, scope, share and types of costs, and security. See an overview of the advantages of NIB’s financing, such as long tenors, grace periods, flexible choice of currency and our experience in building complex financing structures.

Purpose of financing

NIB loans are granted for special purposes, that is, projects, investment programmes, and onlending to SMEs and small midcaps.

Scope of projects

Normally, total project costs would amount to some EUR 20 million and upwards. Smaller projects and investments of small and medium-sized enterprises and small midcaps would be financed from special loan facilities opened in cooperation with local intermediary banks.

Up to 50% of project costs, 75% for midcaps

A NIB loan or guarantee for a project should generally not exceed 50% of the total cost of the project. In a loan to a midcap, NIB’s financing may cover up to 75% of the costs.

Costs from EUR 20m upwards

50% of costs, 75% for midcaps

Loan maturities of 5 to 25 years

Grace periods of 3 to 5 years

Currency flexibility

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Long maturities

As a general rule, all loans are limited to the economic life of the asset or the relevant underlying contracts supporting the financing. Most of the loans provided by NIB vary from 5 to 25 years in maturity.

Adequate security

NIB may grant both secured and unsecured loans to counterparties that are sufficiently creditworthy. NIB requires various undertakings by the counterparty as part of the loan documentation. The terms and conditions are tailored to each case individually, and normally are in line with the terms and conditions of the borrower’s other secured or unsecured senior loans.

Repayment and grace periods

Loan availability and repayment profiles are designed to match your financial need. Grace periods are based on the merits of the project.

Experience in project and structured finance

NIB can assist its customers with project and structured finance, for example using the public–private partnership model. NIB is a leading debt financier of PPP projects in its member countries, and it has experience of project financing in the energy and infrastructure sectors. NIB typically co-finances with other financial institutions and public- and private-sector lenders.

Currency flexibility

Borrowers can choose between most convertible currencies.

Interest rates and fees

The interest rate is set on a fixed or floating basis, as preferred by the borrower. Fees include commitment and arrangement fees.

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Sustainability-linked loans

NIB offers sustainability-linked loans to support sustainable transitions.

These loans are connected to key performance indicators in customers’ corporate strategies and create financial incentives to meet sustainability targets. For example, our borrowers may enjoy lower interest rates if improvements in sustainability performance are achieved.

InvestEU

NIB is an implementing partner of the InvestEU guarantee agreement.

Under the InvestEU Fund, NIB can provide financing to investments that are in line with our mandate and contribute to the objectives of the InvestEU programme. The guarantee helps us to further mobilise private investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, decarbonisation of industry and transportation as well as innovation and digitalisation in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden.

Framework agreements

The majority of NIB’s operations are located in the Nordic–Baltic region. Outside the membership area, NIB may finance projects that involve member country interests, such as investments by corporates in its member countries, technology transfer, equipment deliveries, or other ways of internationalising member country businesses. The Bank may extend loans in countries that have signed agreements on financial cooperation with NIB. In certain cases, loans may be provided in other OECD countries.

NIB has framework agreements for onlending programmes with:
  • Black Sea Trade and Development Bank
  • Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI)
  • Development Bank of Latin America (CAF)
  • Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC)
  • Development Bank of Southern Africa

Through financial intermediary institutions, NIB can also operate in countries where it has no agreement on financial cooperation.

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Public Sector & Utilities

Urban development, social infrastructure and projects within energy transmission, renewable energy, carbon-neutral technology, energy efficiency and wastewater treatment.

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Infrastructure & Project Finance

Public infrastructure and transport networks, energy efficient transport solutions, projects in logistics, telecom technology and services.

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Industry

Investments in clean technologies, production capacity improvements and efficient use of raw materials as well as green real estate developments.

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Services & Consumer

Research and development, production capacity or sales networks expansions, capital investments and acquisitions as well as sustainability-linked loans.

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Financial Institutions

In order to reach out to SMEs and small midcaps in the member countries, NIB opens loan programmes in partnership with financial intermediaries.

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Sustainability-linked loans

Loans connected to key performance indicators in customers’ corporate strategies and create financial incentives to meet sustainability targets.

Read more