Expanding access to finance through a broader financing partner network

Finnvera’s expanding guarantee partner network strengthens access to finance for Finnish businesses by extending cooperation beyond traditional banks to a broader range of financing providers. Through risk-sharing arrangements and consistent partner evaluation practices, Finnvera helps ensure that viable companies can access financing through channels that best suit their needs. By supporting a diverse financing ecosystem, Finnvera contributes to entrepreneurship, business growth, innovation, internationalisation and sustainable economic development across Finland.

Access to finance is a key factor in enabling entrepreneurship, investment, growth and business renewal. As Finland’s state-owned specialised financing company, Finnvera complements private financing markets by sharing risks with financial institutions and helping viable businesses obtain the financing they need when market-based solutions alone may not be sufficient.

Traditionally, Finnvera’s domestic guarantee cooperation has been built around banks and other established financial institutions. In recent years, however, the financing market has evolved. New forms of financing have emerged alongside traditional banking services, creating additional opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access capital. In line with its mission to improve financing availability and complement private markets, Finnvera has expanded its cooperation network to include a wider range of financing providers.

Finnvera currently collaborates not only with banks and insurance companies, but also with other domestic and international financing providers operating in Finland. New cooperation partnerships have been established with organisations such as Alisa Bank, SME Bank, Multitude Bank, GOS Private Debt and the Nordic Investment Bank. In addition, discussions are ongoing with several other financing providers to further broaden financing opportunities for Finnish companies.

This development increases financial inclusion by giving companies access to a broader range of financing channels. Different financiers serve different customer segments, business models and financing needs. By enabling Finnvera guarantees to be used through a wider variety of financing partners, companies that may not fit traditional banking models can gain improved access to financing for investments, growth, ownership transfers and internationalisation.

Before a new financing partner can become a beneficiary of Finnvera guarantees, a comprehensive evaluation process is conducted. The assessment covers regulatory compliance, customer due diligence practices, risk management processes, lending policies, pricing practices and operational capabilities. The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure that all cooperation partners meet consistent standards and that guarantee cooperation is implemented fairly, transparently and responsibly.

Strengthening cooperation across a wider financing ecosystem supports Finnvera’s broader objective of reducing financing gaps and improving access to finance throughout Finland. By working together with both established and emerging financiers, Finnvera helps ensure that Finnish businesses have access to funding opportunities regardless of their size, location or stage of development. This contributes to entrepreneurship, business growth, innovation, competitiveness and sustainable economic development.