5.7.2024

Control or growth?

A subtle wind of change is blowing in the Finnish economy that has continued to underperform this year. The market is waking up, and positive signs are growing stronger. Interest rates seem to be falling, which we expect to stimulate the market and hopefully kick-start the economy. There is a lot of work to do which has been left undone. 

Despite these positive signals, Europe, including Finland, risks falling behind in the global race. The significant shifts of our time, such as the green transition and the rapid progress in artificial intelligence, present golden opportunities for business and growth. However, we must ask ourselves: Is our progress hindered by an overemphasis on an increasing amount of regulation, security and a tendency towards state-centred thinking?

In the United States AI solutions and green innovations are racing forward. The US is even expected to take the lead in commercialising the green transition. Meanwhile, Europe is busy crafting and refining regulations when we should be financing change and solutions.

Of course, we need regulation to ensure fair competition, sustainable development, and consumer protection. But regulation shouldn’t be an end in itself or become an insurmountable barrier to growth and development. A shift in this mindset would boost our competitiveness and create better conditions for turning the challenges of our time into sustainable business opportunities.

As the market finally begins to bounce back, we must seize the opportunity to drive growth. Change won’t happen on its own; it will require a united effort and policies that enable growth while ensuring sustainability without creating unnecessary obstacles. Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and work with our clients to foster growth and create sustainable success stories.

I wish our clients and business partners a delightful summer! 

Latest references

United Bankers – Sale of three care properties
We advised United Bankers on the sale of three care properties to Kinland AS. The buildings were completed between 2021 and 2022 and meet high technical and environmental standards. All three properties are fully leased. The portfolio has a weighted average unexpired lease term of 13 years.
Case published 1.6.2026
Hiab acquisition financing
We are advising Hiab Corporation in the financing for its USD 1,035 million acquisition of Labrie Environmental Group, a leading North American refuse collection vehicle (“RCV”) manufacturer, from Wynnchurch Capital, L.P. Hiab Corporation (Nasdaq Helsinki: HIAB) is a leading provider of smart and sustainable on-road load handling solutions, with 2025 sales of approximately EUR 1.6 billion and approximately 4,000 employees, operating through a global network spanning over 100 countries. Labrie Group is a leading North American provider of RCVs, employing approximately 1,200 people. 
Case published 1.6.2026
We advised an international bank syndicate in a EUR 300 million revolving credit facility (RCF) for ICEYE, the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. The bank-syndicate comprised Nordic and global banks, with Citi and Danske Bank acting as Joint Global Coordinators and Mandated Lead Arrangers. The RCF will support the issuance of guarantees for customer contracts, enable continued business growth, and serve as a liquidity backstop. 
Case published 21.5.2026
We are advising Terrieri Kiinteistöt Ky and A. Ahlström Kiinteistöt Oy in the sale of a modern production and logistics building complex to Swedish property investment company Catena AB. We are also assisting S-Bank Building Plot non-UCITS Fund which in connection with the transaction, has agreed to sell the land area where the building complex is located to Catena AB. The building complex located in the immediate vicinity of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport was completed in 2021 and comprises approximately 23,260 square metres of leasable area, fully leased to Cramo Finland Oy. The approximately 140,000-square-metre plot offers additional long-term development potential in the form of approximately 45,000 square metres of additional building rights.
Case published 21.5.2026