Legislation steering Finnvera has been reformed – The new law enables flexible and fast response to changes in the operating environment

The new Act on the State's Special Funding Activities and its Arrangement, i.e. the Finnvera Act, will enter into force at the beginning of 2026. The new framework-based law repeals ten laws that regulate Finnvera's operations and enables flexible responses to changes in Finnvera's operating environment, enabling financing operations to be rapidly developed in the future to meet the financing needs of companies. Finnvera's current products, services and opportunities to boost the growth of SMEs, midcaps and export companies will remain and be further strengthened.

The President of the Republic confirmed the Act on 30 December 2025, and the Act will enter into force on 1 January 2026. In the Act, the tasks and decision-making between the state and Finnvera are more clearly defined. The State's liability for Finnvera's financing commitments remains unchanged and ensures the continuity of operations. Finnvera must continue to strive for self-sustainability, i.e. over the long term, to cover its operating expenses with the revenue received from its operations and to be able to prepare for potential future risks. The centralisation of the interest equalisation system related to export financing to Finnvera brings considerable efficiency. The Act will bring more clarity and transparency to the supervision of Finnvera's operations when the financial supervision is transferred to the Financial Supervisory Authority after a two-year transition period.

“The new law will create a strong support for the development of Finnvera's operations for years to come. It enables financing for SMEs and midcap companies throughout Finland even more extensively than at present. The competitiveness and risk-taking capacity of Finnish export financing will be strengthened. For example, the Act enables quick new product openings if the companies’ availability of financing requires it. We have extensive authorities to guarantee domestic investments and the exports of Finnish companies when they promote the development of the Finnish economy. The transition of supervision to the Financial Supervisory Authority brings clarity, but in a way that identifies Finnvera's special task and role," says Finnvera's CEO Juuso Heinilä.

According to the Act, Finnvera's mandate for domestic loans, guarantees and other liabilities can amount to a maximum of EUR 10 billion and the mandate for export financing liabilities to a maximum of EUR 40 billion.

Finnvera's new organisation strengthens the operating conditions of companies regionally 

The State of Finland owns the entire stock of Finnvera, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for the ownership steering of the company. 

The previous legislation that steered Finnvera’s operations had been built on top of the laws concerning Finnvera's predecessor organisations over the years. The comprehensive reform has been prepared on a broad basis since 2023 in close cooperation between Finnvera and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. With thorough preparation, the aim was to ensure that the foundation of Finnvera's operations will continue to be sustainable and meet future expectations. 

“The overhaul of the legislation has been a huge effort, for which I would like to thank everyone involved in the project. The new law is a clear entity that we are satisfied with. Finnvera's new organisational model in operation since the beginning of September 2025, supports the implementation of the law in the company, especially in terms of domestic financing. The organisation improves our regional opportunities to strengthen the operating conditions for Finnish businesses," says Heinilä.

The entry into force of the Act will not have a direct impact on Finnvera's financing operations or clients. The existing commitments remain in force with their terms and conditions as well as the financing offers that remain valid as offers. 

The confidentiality provision equivalent to bank secrecy is also included in the new law. 

The Act does not specify sector limitations for financing, but policies can still be defined in ownership steering and in the company's own credit policy. Possible changes in sector limitations will be announced separately at a later date.

Further information:

Risto Huopaniemi, Senior Vice President, Administration, Finnvera, tel. +358 29 460 2520

Link to the new Act will be added to Finnvera.fi's Legislation page.