Banking & Finance had an excellent year 2021 and maintained their market leader position both in the real estate market and in development finance. The team also contributed to several green transition projects, in particular wind farm projects.
5.4.2022
C&S Banking & Finance Team Maintains its Strong Market Position
Minna Korhonen, Sakari Lukinmaa & Tero Tuomisto
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Strong Presence in Real Estate Finance And in the Bond Market
The team enhanced their market leading position in the real estate market and in development finance, advising NREP in various development transactions and OP Corporate Bank, Swedbank and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken in large real estate portfolio financing arrangements.
Banking & Finance held a strong position in the bond market, advising Finnish energy company Neste in its EUR 500 million green bond and Ålandsbanken and Borgo in respect of Finnish law in the issue of a SEK 5.5 billion covered bond.
The team also advised a Nordic financier consortium consisting of Nordea, Aktia, Danske Bank and Swedbank Special in an arrangement in which eQ Community Properties Fund agreed on a MEUR 700 green financing.
Financial Advice to Support Finland’s Biggest Wind Farms
The service supports their clients in reaching the common goal of a more sustainable future. It advised a group formed by Finnish energy company Helen and the Bank of Åland’s Wind Power Fund Non-UCITS as it acquired Kalistanneva wind farm from the French VALOREM group. The team advised the group both in the business transaction and in the negotiation for project funding.
The team also advised OP Corporate Bank, Nordea and SEB as the financiers in an arrangement in which Nordic energy company OX2 signed an agreement with a consortium of Finnish energy companies, Kymppivoima, Oulun Energia and Kuopion Energia, to construct and divest a 455.4 MW wind farm in Lestijärvi, Finland. Upon completion, the wind farm will be the largest in Finland.
Service Highly Regarded by Chambers and IFLR
In international surveys, the team continues its superb track record. The service was ranked in Band 1 in both Chambers Europe and Chambers Global in 2021, with high praise as a ‘Banking & Finance Powerhouse. “Excellent service with excellent results”’. Also the IFLR places the service in Tier 1.
You can read more about the service and their client cases in our website.
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A. Ahlström Real Estate – Acquisition of an office complex
We advised A. Ahlström Real Estate Ltd in its acquisition of an office complex in Pasila, Helsinki, from Avain Yhtiöt Oy. The office complex is part of a new block area that will also include three tower blocks. Construction of the block has started in early 2025 and the office building is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The office building is located in Central Pasila, in the immediate vicinity of the Tripla shopping centre, with excellent transport connections. The office will provide modern and adaptable office space for up to 450 employees. The anchor tenant in the new premises is Avain Yhtiöt. A. Ahlström Real Estate manages the real estate and forest assets of A. Ahlström Oy. Avain Yhtiöt is a Finnish housing provider specialising in developing, constructing, and managing residential properties and housing services. Under the Avain Asunnot brand, Avain Yhtiöt and Avain Asumisoikeus own over 12,000 rental, right-of-occupancy, and service housing units across Finland.
Case published 18.3.2025
OP Corporate Bank – Real estate financing arrangement
We advised OP Corporate Bank plc in a real estate financing arrangement relating to DHL Express logistics centre under construction near Helsinki Airport. In the arrangement Nrep (acting on behalf of NSF III Fund) and Pontos Group acquired Finavia’s stake of DHL Express logistics centre under construction. LEED Platinum certification will be applied for the project, and as a result of the certification, the facility is contemplated to qualify as a green loan after the construction completion date.
Case published 12.3.2025
Gasum – Chartering a new bunker vessel
We advised Gasum in chartering a new LNG and bio-LNG bunker vessel. The vessel called Celsius will serve Gasum’s customers starting 2027. The investment is part of Gasum’s strategy to secure the availability of LNG and bio-LNG to its customers in the Northwestern European area as demand increases in the coming years. Gasum is a Nordic gas sector and energy market expert. Gasum offers cleaner energy and energy market expert services for industry and for combined heat and power production as well as cleaner fuel solutions for road and maritime transport. The company helps its customers to reduce their own carbon footprint as well as that of their customers. Sirius is a Swedish shipping company founded by the Backman family. Sirius operates 11 product/chemical tankers and 2 LNG tankers and has a further 3 product/chemical tankers under commercial management.
Case published 11.3.2025
eBrands – Funding round
We assisted eBrands Holdings Oy in its latest funding round, during which the company raised 7.5 million euros. The new funding brings the company’s total raised capital to 50 million euros. The latest funding round was mainly led by the family investment company Veikko Laine, Varma Pension Fund, and operational shareholders. The funding will be used to develop eBrands’ AI-based Apollo market growth tool, which helps brands expand into sixty different markets and sales channels without local infrastructure or heavy investments. eBrands is an export platform that grows consumer brands globally through e-commerce and major retail channels. Specializing in the US and European markets, eBrands enables brands to internationalize with an export service model that reduces the risk and complexity associated with expansion by leveraging advanced technology. Founded in 2020, the Helsinki-based company’s team includes 75 people, and the company’s revenue exceeds 35 million euros.
Case published 11.3.2025