Motivating customers to shift to green loans
“We are proud to take part in the implementation of the European initiative and help SMEs in their sustainability transformation with attractive green loans and advice – ultimately achieving lasting reductions of CO2 emissions,” says Peter Dalmalm, Head of Nordea Business Banking in Sweden.
Nordea will use the agreement to approach and motivate customers with traditional loans on green investments and projects to take the opportunity to convert these into green loans instead. At the same time, Nordea has committed itself, as part of the agreement, to issuing new green corporate loans with lower-than-usual rates.
“The agreement with the EIF will support us in meeting also our own sustainability targets. At the same time, we further improve our abilities in meeting a growing interest in sustainable finance among SMEs with an attractive package,” says Aleksi Lehtonen, Head of Nordea Business Banking in Finland
Nordea is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and to reduce CO2 emissions from its lending portfolio by 40-50 per cent by 2030.
Boosting the economy in difficult times
Alain Godard, Chief Executive, the European Investment Fund finds the timing of the agreement optimal:
“The EIB Group is very pleased to have successfully completed its first securitisation transaction with Nordea to provide green financing to SMEs and mid-caps. This transaction is boosting the supply of finance in the real economy during these difficult times and promoting an economic recovery based on a sustainable green transformation.