NIB and Helgeland Sparebank fund SME investments in northern Norway

NIB and the Norwegian savings bank Helgeland Sparebank have signed a loan programme of NOK 250 million (EUR 26.9 million) for onlending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and environmental projects in the county of Helgeland in northern Norway.

The five-year loan programme is part of NIB’s Arctic Facility and will fund SMEs in various industries, including agriculture, aquaculture, real estate and construction.

“This is our first loan to Helgeland Sparebank. We welcome the new cooperation partner in reaching out to small businesses. The facility is being set up in Norway’s Arctic area, which is of great importance for the Bank as it supports the strategies of NIB’s member countries to further develop this region”, says Henrik Normann, NIB President & CEO.

Helgeland Sparebank’s history dates as far back as 1860. Now it is Norway’s 11th largest savings bank with 13 branches in 12 municipalities in Helgeland county. The economy of Helgeland is based on trade, transport, industry, service, agriculture and aquaculture and has a large SME sector.

NIB is an international financial institution owned by eight member countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The Bank finances private and public projects in and outside the member countries. NIB has the highest possible credit rating, AAA/Aaa, with the leading rating agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

For further information, please contact
Ms Sari Cabell, Senior Manager, Origination, at +358 10 618 0519,
Mr Dimitrijs Alehins, Senior Communications Specialist, at +358 10 618 0296,