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Guarantees
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ICF and Avalis sign an agreement with Bankia to expand funding to SMEs and self-employed workers
Bankia will make €50 million available to Catalan companies via a lending facility guaranteed by the reciprocal guarantee company AVALIS de Catalunya SGR.
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ICF creates a line of finance for entrepreneurs, self-employed workers and shops
Institut Català de Finances provides the funds; Banc Sabadell and CaixaBank market the product; and the Catalonia Regional Government Department of Business and Employment will bear 70% of the risk on the loans, which are designed to finance investment projects and/or working capital needs.
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ICF showcases its range of funding at Biz Barcelona
The Catalan public finance institution is set to be an active participant in the congress of SMEs and entrepreneurs, to be held at the Montjuïc trade fair on 1-2 July. ICF sponsors the “Funding Market” space, will have a stand in the exhibition area and has organised a number of presentations based on the experience of the companies and entrepreneurs that have successfully implemented their projects thanks to the institute's financial backing.
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ICF and EAPB organise a Conference on the role of European public banks
The conference is part of the programme of events surrounding the annual General Assembly of the European Association of Public Banks (EAPB), which will take place in Barcelona for the first time. The Secretary General of Economy and Knowledge of the Government of Catalonia, Albert Carreras, and the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Spain, Fernando Restoy, will inaugurate the event, which will be attended by top representatives of almost a hundred public finance institutions from across Europe.
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ICF invests 5 million euros in new seed capital funds that invest in newly created companies in Catalonia
The Catalan public financial entity has called for expressions of interest via the IFEM to select new funds in which it will co-invest in the form of capital. Since 2010 the ICF, via the IFEM has already invested 9 million euros in 7 seed capital funds in Catalonia.
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ICF and Caixa d’Enginyers establish a €30 million funding line for SMEs
The funds are provided by IFEM, an ICF subsidiary, and co-financed by EDRF. Caixa d’Enginyers will distribute the loans and ICF will bear 70% of the credit risk on each loan.
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Majority of independent members compose ICF’s new Supervisory Board
The Executive Council has appointed three new independent directors to the highest body of ICF and reduced the number of directors representing the Regional Government to four. As a result of these changes, ICF's Supervisory Board comprises a majority of independent members, in line with the regulatory requirements with regard to the governance of financial institutions.
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Government amends ICF legislative framework to adapt to European regulations on financial institutions
The Executive Council has approved a Decree Law partly amending and updating the Consolidated Text of the Law governing the Catalan Institute of Finance (Institut Català de Finances), which was approved by Legislative Decree 4/2002, of 24 December. The amendments formally makes ICF subject to European regulations on financial institutions and enhances its independence vis-à-vis the Catalonia Regional Government, as required by European regulators.
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The Catalonia Regional Government has created a credit facility for hotel refurbishment with preferential conditions
The loans will be granted by the Institut Català de Finances. The Catalonia Regional Government Department of Business and Employment will subsidise this line of funding in the form of 2.2 points of the interest, using proceeds from the tourist tax.
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PIMEC joins the line of financing promoted by the ICF and Caixa d'Enginyers
The funds are provided by IFEM, the subsidiary of the Catalan public financial entity with the co-financing of ERDF. Caixa d’Enginyers distributes the loans and the ICF bears 70% of the credit risk of each operation. PIMEC will channel this line of financing via its network of financial consultants.
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The ICF and the EAPB vindicate the role of European pubic banking to leave behind the crisis
They underline the role of public investment and promotion in strengthening private investment during the current economic upturn in a congress held today in Barcelona. The general secretary of Economy and Knowledge of the Generalitat, Albert Carreras, acknowledges the work of the ICF during its 30 years in providing funding for SMEs.
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Catalonia regional government appoints Carmina Ganyet to the ICF Board of Governance
She joins the Board as an independent member. The gradual incorporation of independent members to ICF's Board of Governance is part of the process to adapt and accommodate the institute's governing bodies to the European regulatory requirements on the governance of credit institutions.
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The Capital MAB fund of the ICF invests 1 million euros in Oryzon
The biotechnology companies engaged in epigenetics to develop therapies in oncology and neuro-degenerative illnesses has completed a capital increase of 16.5 million euros with the intention of floating on the Continuous Market before the end of the year.
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ICF participates in the 4th EFEC program in Financial Education
EFEC program is an initiative of the Generalitat of Catalonia and the Institut d’Estudis Financers (IEF). Via this program over 600 volunteers from the financial sector will teach financial education to 20,000 students from around Catalonia.
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The Capital MAB fund invests 1 million euros in Agile Content
This investment forms part of the capital increase carried out by this Catalan technology SME for a global sum of 5.3 million euros, with the aim of consolidating and driving its growth and internationalisation. Agile Content plans to float on the Alternative Equity Market (MAB) during the fourth quarter of this year.
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ICF, Avalis and BBVA sign an agreement to boost funding to SMEs
BBVA will make €20 million available to Catalan SMEs via a lending facility guaranteed by Avalis de Catalunya SGR.
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ICF and La Caixa co-invest in a Catalan chemical SME in the framework of a round of funding totalling €5 million
This is a venture capital coinvestment through Capital Expansió and Caixa Innvierte Industria funds. The funding will enable the company to undertake an ambitious growth and internationalization plan, boost its production capacity by 66% and ramp up its turnover by more than 50% in the next three years.
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The ICF to offer financing for the Saló Piscina&Wellness
The entity will be present in the new business area created by the Saló to offer exhibitors and visitors financing solutions for internationalisation, innovation, enhanced competitiveness and growth. The Saló is held in the trade fair of Gran Via de l’Hospitalet from 13 to 16 October.
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ICF financed 787 companies with a total of €343 million
The number of loans and guarantees increased by 8% with respect to the same period of 2014. 97% of recipients were SMEs or self-employed workers.
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ICF hires a sales agent for Central Catalonia
Based in Manresa, he will work to bring the financing offers to companies and entrepreneurs in Bages, Osona, Anoia, Berguedà, Solsonès and Cerdanya.
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Loans with preferential conditions for Catalan industry
The Department of Business and the ICF activate a financing facility with 100 million euros a year for the 2016-2018 period. The ICF will provide the resources and will analyse, formalise and manage the loans. Enterprise and Knowledge will discount the interest rates.
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Sant Cugat Empresarial and the ICF to cooperate in providing financing to companies
The association will publish and inform its clients and associates regarding the financial instruments and products that the Catalan public financial entity is to place at the disposal of the business community.
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Capital Expansió fund to invest 1 million euros in the Institut Oftalmològic Tres Torres
The investment was carried out by means of a participative loan. The company will allocate these resources to strengthening its plans for expansion.
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The venture capital activity of the ICF has helped to create over 7,600 new jobs
These figures are from a study conducted by the business school IESE based on an analysis of the investment operations of 25 funds of the Catalan financial entity in 207 companies.
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ICF doubles its funding in Terres de l'Ebre in 2023 and reaches 161 companies and entities
The activity data were released during the Meeting for Sustainable Economic Growth that took place in Tortosa and began with the intervention of the Minister of Economy and Finance of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Natàlia Mas Guix, and where the CEO of the ICF, Vanessa Servera, gave a presentation on public banking for the promotion of Catalonia. Compared to 2022, Catalan public banks have more than doubled their financing in loans and guarantees in Terres de l'Ebre, reaching 161 companies worth 16 million euros. The conference brought together more than 80 representatives of companies, entities and economic agents in the territory.
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The ICF creates a new venture capital fund endowed with €40 million to promote technological and innovative companies in consolidated phases of growth
ICF Venture Tech III is aimed at companies in the digital, industrial and climate sectors with a presence in Catalonia. The bank's third venture capital instrument is expected to invest in around 15 companies, with a maximum of €4 million for each operation. The fund will open "a new stage for the ICF's venture capital investment", betting on start-ups in more consolidated phases of growth.
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Engel Energy receives €5M from the ICF to implement the new EVEON solar self-consumption model
The ICF financing has taken place within the framework of the ICF EcoVerda loan line, through which the financial institution promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly projects and investments that promote the energy transition. As part of its technological transformation, Engel Energy will make an investment of €15 million in IT linked to the new service to maximise the efficiency of photovoltaic installations, five of them from the two-year loan from the public bank for the promotion of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
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LC Paper invests 5 million to improve the paper recycling process in the face of changes in consumption patterns
The Catalan Institute of Finance and Bankinter finance the Girona company with a loan of 2.3 million euros to acquire state-of-the-art industrial machinery and renovate its plant in Besalú/Beuda. The investment will allow the paper manufacturer to reuse difficult-to-process materials such as cardboard boxes from online orders, an increasingly common waste.
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The ICF Agroliquidity line to support the agricultural sector is already active again
The joint line of loans between the ICF and the Department for Climate Action is extended by 20M euros that are once again made available to self-employed people and agricultural and agri-food companies to mitigate the effects of climate change.
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ICF Agroliquiditat loans are extended with a further €37.5 million to strengthen support for the primary sector
The financing promoted by the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF) and the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food has already granted 135 million euros to help 1,822 farmers affected by inflation and drought.
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The ICF and BBVA finance the Puigvert Foundation with 4.8 million euros for a hospital improvement project
Both financial institutions have accumulated a trajectory of two decades supporting the Puigvert Foundation in various financing projects.
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ICF and BBVA provide €9 million in financing for the new Evangelical Hospital in Barcelona
The centre, which opened its doors in April in the neighbourhood of El Parc i La Llacuna del Poblenou, has the capacity to treat more than 2,700 hospitalised patients a year and reinforces the public health network in the districts of Sant Martí and Ciutat Vella
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La Regadora Housing Cooperative promotes the construction of a building with 35 social housing units in the Sant Andreu district of Barcelona thanks to funding from the ICF
The construction works, which are due to last 20 months, have already begun, and it is expected that the cohabitation units can move in in January 2026. The ICF has granted a loan of 4.2 million euros to finance the construction works of the building. The land of the project is ceded by Barcelona City Council and the homes are between 42 m² and 76 m².
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EIF and ICF join forces to mobilise €64 million to support social enterprises and cultural and creative businesses in Catalonia
European Investment Fund to provide ICF with a capped portfolio guarantee aimed to enhance the access to finance on favourable terms to SMEs operating in Catalonia. This transaction is the first guarantee deal between the two institutions. Agreement is backed by the InvestEU programme.
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ICF finances Vera, one of the first operators in Catalonia to offer 10G, with 2 million euros
The company will use the loan from the Generalitat's public bank to expand its fibre optics to seven municipalities, exceeding 5,000 kilometres of network throughout Catalonia
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Oscar-winning DDT to open museum in Barcelona to exhibit its movie "monsters"
The company dedicated to the design of special make-up effects compiles in the same space the creatures and characters it has created for directors such as J. A. Bayona, Guillermo del Toro or Pedro Almodóvar. The Monster Art project, which will open its doors in 2025, has been made possible thanks to funding from the ICF through an ICF Cultura loan. The work of the Catalan company has been recognized with a Hollywood Academy Award for Pan's Labyrinth, two Gaudí Awards and six Goya Awards.
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The Catalan Government appoints Carme Hortalà as new independent member of the ICF Board of Governors
The highest governing body of the public bank of the Generalitat de Catalunya has eleven members and maintains the majority of independent members, as required by law.
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The Generalitat finances the reindustrialization of Catalonia with 228 million euros
The Department of Enterprise and Labor allocates 28 million to aid in the form of guarantees to facilitate access to financing for reindustrialization projects and the ICF will mobilize 228 million euros in loans to boost industrial activity. The aim of this line is to support industrial investment projects to transform the business model, expand production capacities and create new ones.
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The Department of Territory and ICF are working to offer financing on good terms for projects to adapt to climate change and decarbonise the economy
This line, which will be activated in the coming months, will promote, among others, projects to promote renewables and energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, water saving, protection of the population from the increased risk of extreme weather events, reduction of polluting emissions and conservation of biodiversity. The resources to be provided by the Department of Territory will come from the Climate Fund, which is fed by 50% of the revenues obtained from the tax on CO₂ emissions from mechanically driven vehicles and 20% of the collection of the tax on installations that have an impact on the environment.
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The ICF obtains accreditation from the European Commission to directly manage funds from the EU budget
This qualification (“Pillar Assessment”) will allow the ICF to carry out the management of European Union programmes. The process of obtaining this qualification required a comprehensive evaluation of the ICF's organizational and financial systems and processes
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ICF finances the Sique Foundation for the purchase of two homes for people with disabilities in Badalona
The financing, of 140,000 euros, is one of the first of the ICF Social Economy line that was recently launched and has a guarantee from the EIF through InvestEU to facilitate access to credit for social entities. The housing will be part of the program Suport a l'Autonomia a la Pròpia Llar of the entity and will facilitate the right to housing for 6 people with intellectual disabilities.
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ICF supports the company MACSA ID with €1M to undertake, with the coverage of Cesce, an Investment in R+D project of coding and marking solutions
Cesce, through its Strategic Investment Policy on behalf of the State, insures this operation that will allow the company to meet the growing need for more sustainable laser coding and marking solutions. Macsa ID is one of the world's leading companies in the coding and marking sector, with more than 40 years of experience and roots in the Bages's catalan region.
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Gomà-Camps builds a new logistics centre in Vilaverd
This new logistics facility, which has received funding from the ICF, will boost the company's competitiveness and, at the same time, contribute to improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact, aligning with the company's values.
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ICF and Girona City Council will activate financing worth €5 million for innovative young companies
The two entities will sign an agreement for a pilot program that will provide financing under good conditions to young and innovative companies in Girona and its urban area. The innovation projects that will be able to have access to the resources are in the fields of health sciences, digital industry, the agri-food sector, the energy transition, the economics of ageing, trade and tourism and the educational, cultural and sports sectors.
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ICF finances the company Peinaje del Río Llobregat to install a photovoltaic plant with an impact equivalent to 36,300 trees
The public bank lends 1.6 million euros to the Bages company to replace the fibre cement roof of its warehouse with an insulated roof that now houses a solar energy park that saves 726 tons of CO₂ per year. The bank's financing has also allowed the company to carry out energy efficiency improvements in its offices, thanks to which it has obtained an A energy rating, the highest possible score.
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EIF, ICF and Grow Venture Partners sign agreement to set up the Fondo de Inversión en Tecnología Avanzada (FITA)
FITA is the result of an investment agreement signed by the EIF and ICF in 2022 to promote technology transfer and scientific research projects in Catalonia. Following the corresponding selection process, Grow Venture Partners was the sole entity chosen to manage this venture capital investment fund set to operate between 2024 and 2029. FITA will be able to invest up to €55 million to develop technology transfer projects, mainly originating in universities and research centres in Catalonia.
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Printfa Group recovers an industrial warehouse in Montcada i Reixac with which it plans to create between 15 and 20 jobs
The ICF and BBVA are financing, in equal parts, the purchase of the 19,000 m² facilities with €5.6 million to promote the reindustrialization of Catalonia. The acquisition will allow the pharmaceutical industry group to increase its production by 50%, triple its surface area compared to its current location and reach 37 million euros in turnover by 2027, according to forecasts.
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The ICF finances with one million euros a varietal conversion in the Pla d'Urgell to adapt crops to drought
The public banks of the Generalitat and the agro-industrial group Nufri reach an agreement to provide financing to their 100 associated farmers. The financial institution approves, for the first time, a loan to promote crop transformation to combat the consequences of climate change. The CEO announces that the ICF will make efforts to support farmers who want to promote a change of model that is more resistant to water scarcity and high temperatures.
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The Catalan company GMP invests €12 million and will create 60 new jobs with a new industrial warehouse in Castellar del Vallès
The company, which specialises in the manufacture of high-quality packaging for the food and pharmaceutical sectors, is tripling the area of the current factory and will exceed 15,000m2. To carry out the investment in the new warehouse, GMP has had the support of the Catalan Government through ACCIÓ and the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF), which has provided financing worth 8 million euros. With the opening of the new plant, the company expects to double its turnover to 30 million euros.
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ICF invests €8M in life sciences through Invivo Ventures III fund
Public promotion bank show their commitment to this area of investment to transform healthcare and improve citizens' quality of life
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ICF finances LANG LASER to move half of its production from Germany to Catalonia
The loan from the public promotional bank allows the laser technology company to open its first industrial plant outside German borders in the Bages region and create 15 new direct jobs
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ICF invests three million euros in the CRB Digital Health III fund, the first in Spain to specialise in digital health
The fund's investment strategy focuses on innovative companies that are in the commercial phase or close to the commercialization of their products and services. The fund, which aims to reach €50 million, is expected to invest in a total of 25 companies with amounts of between €500,000 and €4 million. The operation is part of the strategy of the Generalitat's public bank to promote Catalonia as one of the main hubs for innovation in health in Europe.
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ICF invests €3 million in Inclimo Climate Tech Fund
The Institut Català de Finances approves an investment of 3 million euros in Inclimo Climate Tech Fund to support innovative companies in decarbonisation. The operation reflects the commitment of the public promotion bank to sustainability and innovation and seeks to support companies in seed and series A stages that promote the fight against climate change.
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The ICF increased its activity by 17% due to the promotion of agricultural and sustainability projects
The public promotion bank of Catalonia financed a total of 1,657 companies in 2023, of which 98% were entrepreneurs and SMEs. The financial institution allocated 77 million euros to finance 1,236 Catalan farmers and ranchers in a context marked by inflation and drought. One out of every two euros granted in the form of loans and guarantees was allocated to projects with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
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ICF Calculates Emissions from Its Financing for the First Time with the Goal of Achieving Climate Neutrality by 2050
The entity focuses its efforts on reducing the carbon footprint of the projects it finances, which represents 99% of its global environmental impact. Generalitat de Catalunya's public promotion bank joins the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF). In 2023, the financial institution allocated one out of every two euros in loans and guarantees to finance environmental, social, and governance (ESG) projects. In a year marked by drought in Catalonia, the organization financed projects to save 38,640 m³ of water annually, equivalent to the annual consumption of 905 people.
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ICF invests €6 million in decarbonisation through the SC Net Zero Ventures fund
The public development bank shows its commitment to sustainability and is committed to investing in Climate Tech by accompanying technologies that help the decarbonisation of the industrial, energy and mobility sectors. The Catalan manager Suma Capital manages the fund, which has a target of €150 million and already has commitments of more than 75%.
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EIB invests €490 million with the ICF in affordable and energy-efficient housing in Catalonia
It is a total loan of 490 million, of which a first tranche is signed for an amount of 163 million. The EIB's investment will be used to finance the construction of affordable rental housing throughout Catalonia. The investment is supported by the EU's InvestEU programme to mobilise public and private funds in support of the Union's public policies.
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ICF finances with 3M€ the biogas plant of Alcarràs Bioproductors driven by 150 livestock families
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Alícia Romero, affirms that this is a “strategic” project for the territory in terms of environmental sustainability, “and that it improves the economic profitability of the primary sector and contributes to diversify its activity”. The project will transform 70,000 tons per year of livestock manure into energy for the electricity grid and the farmers' farms, improving their management and guaranteeing the continuity of the primary sector in the municipality.
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ICF increases its funding in Camp de Tarragona by 69% in 2023 to 41 million euros
The public promotion bank finances 151 companies and entities, a figure that is multiplied by six compared to 2022 due to the boost of the ICF Agroliquidity line. The entity allocates one out of every two euros granted in the form of loans and guarantees to the Camp de Tarragona to finance the trade, tourism and transport sector. The activity data were released during the Meeting for Sustainable Economic Growth in Tarragona, which brought together more than 150 attendees.
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The ICF improves its rating to BBB
Fitch Ratings has decided to revise upwards the level of solvency in the long and short term, consolidating the classification as 'Investment grade'
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Meleghy Automotive invests 6.6 million euros in new production capacities at its Abrera plant and will generate 47 new jobs
The investment in the manufacturing facilities for components for compact electric vehicles has been co-financed by the ICF, BBVA and Bankinter in a commitment to the reindustrialisation of the company. Meleghy Automotive, a Tier1 company, has SEAT, Mercedes and BMV among its main customers. The company will generate 47 new jobs in Abrera and will guarantee the continuity of manufacturing at the two plants in Catalonia.
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The Catalan Government and the ICF endow the Arrels Fund with 100 million euros to invest in the capital of strategic companies in Catalonia
The Catalan Government has approved today to contribute 50 million euros to the fund, which will favor and strengthen the roots of Catalan companies and their decision-making centers in Catalonia. The Catalan Institute of Finance, with experience in capital investments, will manage the fund and has contributed an additional 50 million euros.
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The ICF finances Vicente Torns with €3.6 million for the construction of a new industrial warehouse in Rubí dedicated to the recycling of copper and aluminium
With this operation, the ICF is promoting the reindustrialisation of the country in line with our mission as a public promotion bank of the Generalitat to fulfil the strategic objectives of Catalonia.
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ICF finances the SociHabitat Foundation with €3.8 million to enable 42 social rental homes in Figueres
The flats will be intended for young people and the elderly and will be managed jointly with the City Council of the capital of the Alt Empordà region
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The 'ICF Agroliquiditat' loan line is extended by another 35 million to strengthen support for the primary sector
The financing promoted by the public promotion bank and the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda has already granted nearly 100 million euros to help farmers affected by inflation and drought
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EAPB General Assembly 2024: Ms. Lidwin Van Velden Re-elected President
ICF CEO Ms. Vanessa Servera, elected as new member of Board Member of the EAPB
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The Generalitat finances the construction of social rental housing with 250 million euros
The DOGC today publishes a new call to access this line of subsidized loans aimed at public and private developers who have already been granted a public subsidy to build housing with official rental protection.
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The ICF takes part in conference hosted by the APD (Association for the Progress of Management)
Jordi Òliva, the financial institution’s CEO, spoke at a panel discussion on the economic outlook alongside Oriol Amat, dean of the UPF Barcelona School of Management (UPF-BSM), and Juli Teclas, CFO at Borges International Group.
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ICF Capital Expansió II pumps €2.5 million into TECNIC Bioprocess
This transaction via a capital increase will enable the company to enlarge its production facilities and bioprocess equipment portfolio and further expand its business abroad. The Girona-based firm specialises in developing equipment for biotech processes and stands out for its end-to-end service value proposition.
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Catalan Government signs agreement with the ICF and ten other financial institutions for housing energy renovation as part of Next Generation EU funds
Recipients will be homeowners’ associations, private individuals and renovation agents hoping to take advantage of the Residential Energy Renovation Grants Facility run by the Catalan Housing Agency. The idea is to advance the total investment needed to undertake the work including the amount of the aid which will be covered by European funds.
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ICF funding helps Plasticband build a green factory
The new plant is to be fitted with state-of-the-art technology to cut the company’s carbon footprint including solar panels for self-supply, river water harvesting and charging points for electric vehicles. The company estimates that the start-up of this new facility will bring about a further 5% reduction in its carbon footprint.
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ICF brings out its guide to inclusive language
The handbook features straightforward tools to support and enhance language use and encourage all the institution’s staff to communicate by means of inclusive language.
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Jordi Martínez (IEF): «Los jóvenes muestran un gran interés por entender conceptos financieros»
Interview with Jordi Martínez, Financial Education Director at the IEF. Martínez talks about the importance of financial education, the differences between generations in terms of basic financial literacy and other initiatives to be put in place to enhance financial literacy.
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Resilis Foundation secures five ICF loans to buy properties to provide shelter for disadvantaged young people
In January and February 2022, the foundation secured five ICF Social Housing loans to expand its residential and shelter services. Resilis has drawn on this facility to buy 18 properties which will enhance quality of life for at-risk children and teenagers.
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ICF adds new member to its Supervisory Board
Miquel Puig, Secretary for Economic Affairs and European Funds, joins as a proprietary member. Following his appointment, the ICF’s highest governing body is now made up of the chair, CEO, three proprietary members and six independent members.
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ICF Group arranges €180 million in loans in the first half of the year
In venture capital, €19 million has been committed in third-party fund managers and €5 million through the ICF and IFEM’s own funds.
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ICF and EIF launch an agreement to drive technology transfer and scientific research projects in Catalonia
The two organisations are to select a specialised entity via a public tender to manage the Advanced Technology Investment Fund (FITA), which is expected to be operational in the summer of next year. This financing instrument, backed by the Catalan Government to drive start-up initiatives, will also include private investors and its target size will be €55 million.
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ICF signs up to Avalis’s agreement for financing entrepreneurship and growth in industrial SMEs
Up to 100% of these loans’ financing costs are subsidised by Next Generation EU funds through Avalis de Catalunya and they are also backed by a guarantee at up to 100% of the principal.
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ICF finances insurtech Weecover with a €200,000 equity loan
The ICF’s funding is part of a €2 million investment round led by Nauta Capital. The start-up, established in Barcelona in 2019, has developed technology which enables customers to quickly and conveniently take out insurance on the website where they buy a product.
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Josep Soler (IEF): "Financial education is crucial for better quality of life"
We ask the CEO of Institut d'Estudis Financers (IEF), Josep Soler, about the IEF's role and its evolution through the years, its main lines of activity and the importance of financial education for society and companies.
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ICF, ACG and Pimec host conference to drive business growth
Quadpack and IMC Toys shared with the attendees at the event their business model, corporate growth strategy and the challenges ahead for the business community in order to keep gaining in scale.
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ICF invests €3 million in Kibo Ventures’ third fund
The venture capital manager raises €155 million in two of its funds as it looks to continue investing in start-ups which might become the next European unicorns.
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ICF hosts EAPB State Aid and Development Committee
The European Association of Public Banks (EAPB), which the ICF has been a member of since 2014, held a working meeting yesterday in Barcelona to update rules and policies on state aid and regulation and also share initiatives and expertise in public and sustainable financing.
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Josep Maria Vilarrúbia is new ICF Supervisory Board chair
The Secretary General of the Catalan Government’s Ministry of Economy and Finance was appointed a proprietary member of the Institut Català de Finances on Tuesday.
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Luís Javier Herrero (BCFE): "“Barcelona excels in rolling out sustainable finance training programmes”
We interviewed Luís Javier Herrero, President of the Barcelona European Financial Center (BCFE), to undertand the objectives of the institution he represents, as well as the main challenges for consolidating Barcelona as a city of reference for financial services companies.
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The ICF Group finances over 1,200 businesses to the tune of €535 million
In venture capital, nearly €30 million was invested via independent managers and the ICF’s own funds. Financing to meet Covid-19 needs accounts for 34.6% of total funding, down almost 30 percentage points from 2020. Over the last three years, the public financial institution has pumped nearly €1.8 billion into 3,354 companies to drive growth, innovation and sustainability in the Catalan economy.
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ICF and Economy and Finance Ministry provide €50 million in loans to Catalan firms hit by the Algerian crisis
The funding will be used to address cash-flow needs arising from the Algerian banking and trade blockade. Freelancers, SMEs, companies and organisations can apply via a web platform which has been set up to make the process easier.
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ICF helps fund Lamigraf’s investment in efficient and sustainable equipment
The financing transaction has involved other institutions and will enable the Catalan decorative paper specialist to expand the production capacity of its l’Ametlla del Vallès facilities by bringing in new technology-efficient equipment.
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The ICF participates in the renewal of the TMB metro fleet with 50 million euros
The funding is part of an operation involving other organizations and banks and will be used to pay for 42 trains on lines L1 and L3 of the Barcelona metro. The objective is to reduce environmental impact and extend the use of more sustainable alternative energies.
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The ICF promotes knowledge of the entrepreneurial start-up ecosystem among young people
In conjunction with the Institute of Financial Studies (IEF), the ICF has organised a training session for young people to explain the main characteristics of the start-up business model and identify the sectors that are currently most disruptive. This event is part of Global Money Week, an initiative that is taking place around the world with the aim of promoting financial education for young people.
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EIF and Catalonian Institute of Finance agree to provide EUR 15m of equity finance to support SMEs
The agreement signed today will target VC funds with a European focus based outside the region of Catalonia, with ICF committing a maximum of EUR 15 million to support investment in Catalonian companies.
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The ICF Group finances 1,512 companies for an amount of 600 million euros in 2018
Two new credit facilities have been put in place during 2018: ICF Ecoverda, for circular economy, green and energy efficiency projects; and ICF Habitatge Social, for the construction and development of social housing for rental. The ICF has also allocated 15.3 million euros to venture capital funds investing in newly created companies or SMEs undergoing growth in Catalonia
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The Capital Expansió fund invests 1.3 million euros in Reyes Varó
The Catalan company, based in Sant Jaume dels Domenys (Baix Penedès), is engaged in the processing and marketing of smoked fresh produce. The investment will allow the company to double its production capacity in Catalonia and acquire another business in the sector.
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ICF and ACG boost business growth by telling success stories of Catalan companies
ICF and the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) have held the first event in the 20 to 100 programme, a cycle of conferences that aims to encourage Catalan companies to grow. The heads of Audax Energia, Frit Ravich and MAT Holding detailed the strategy for growth that their companies have followed.About one hundred companies, investment funds and business associations participated in this first session.
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The ICF appoints two new members to the Board of Directors
The general director of the company Gestió i Serveis Trade Center, Albert Vilumara, joins as an independent spokesperson, and the current General Director of Economic Promotion, Competition and Regulation, Lluís Juncà, as a proprietary member.With these appointments, the highest governing body of the ICF consists of the president, the managing director, three proprietary members and six independent members.
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The ICF Group finances 8% more companies during the first half of 2019
ICF's financing solutions have reached 812 companies and entities, with a total of €286 M, 34% up on the first half of 2018. 98% of the financed projects correspond to SMEs and freelancers, two of the Catalan economy's key segments.
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The ICF and Triodos cofinance A Contracorriente Films to acquire Barcelona's Cines Verdi
The purchase of the property ensures the continuity of this movie theatre, as well as the upgrade and renewal of the facilities. This cofinancing operation is part of the collaboration agreement signed by ICF and Triodos late last year to promote social, cultural and environmental projects that generate added value and have a positive social impact on society.
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The ICF, Avalis and the IEF sign an agreement to train SME managers in business finance
The course "El dia a dia de les pimes" (The everyday activity of SMEs) aims to provide further training for the managers of Catalan SMEs, offering them expertise that will allow them to improve the financial management of their companies. This joint initiative reinforces the commitment of the ICF and Avalis to the IEF, with whom they have been working for years on the programme for Financial Education in the Schools of Catalonia (EFEC).
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The ICF has financed green economy and circular economy projects valued at €18.3M over recent months
During 2018, the ICF has launched new lines of financing in accordance with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
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The ICF has signed a collaboration agreement to promote economic and financial education among millennials
The collaboration agreement supports the 'Finance for Millennials' initiative, a project led by financier Jordi Mabras and presenter Sergi Mas, to disseminate economic and financial information to universities. This new agreement strengthens the institute's commitment to promote financial education among young people, and complements the agreement that the ICF has held with the IEF (EFEC programme) for six years now.
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The ICF and Avalis create a new line of financing to promote the projects of growing SMEs
The loans, which can be for up to €500,000, will be used to finance growing Catalan SMEs that are making investments and/or have cash-flow needs.
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The ICF holds a meeting in Lleida with the province’s leading companies
Around fifteen entrepreneurs from Lleida took part in this seminar to share projects and future challenges, as well as to assess the different credit solutions that the ICF makes available to them to help drive their business. During the first six months of 2019, the ICF funded 16 companies for an amount of almost 13 million euros (+183% up on the same period in 2018).
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The ICF takes its offer of financing to Advanced Factories
The third edition of the fair, which is being held from April 9 to 11, is devoted to technological solutions for industry based on artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, additive manufacturing or industrial cybersecurity.
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The ICF Venture Tech II fund invests €0.5M in the biotechnology company Vytrus Biotech
This is the first deal of the new venture capital fund ICF Venture Tech II, which was established in June with an investment capacity of €20M. The company's business is based on the technology of vegetable stem cell culture used to develop, produce and market active ingredients of high added value for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
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The ICF and the Government create a 30 million euro credit line to improve tourist accommodation facilities
The ICF will contribute the total amount of the loan (€30 million) and the Ministry of Business and Knowledge's Directorate-General for Tourism will allocate €4 million to the cost of financing the scheme. The loans will be used to finance the improvement and modernisation of hotels, tourist apartments, campsites and rural tourism establishments. This initiative is part of the third pillar of the Strategic Tourism Plan of Catalonia 2018-2022, which highlights the need to promote investment and reinvestment in tourism for the effective mobilisation of private capital to develop new tourism products and services and improve those that already exist.
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The ICF and the AHC open a line of loans to finance investments in property owners' communities
The Institut Català de Finances (ICF) is allocating 100 million euros to the new line of credit, and the Agència de l’Habitatge de Catalunya (AHC) is crediting a part of the interest rate, which will be fixed at 2%. The loans, under preferential terms, allow for 100% of the cost of investments for refurbishment, energy efficiency and accessibility to be covered within a maximum term of 15 years.
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SeniorDomo celebrates its 5th anniversary with 5,000 families served in Spain, Italy and France and receives funding from the ICF
SeniorDomo has had a participatory loan of 200,000 euros from the ICF (Catalan Institute of Finance) through the IFEM Innovation line aimed at start-ups. The leading telecare start-up estimates reaching 6,000 families served in 2023, tripling its customer base this year.
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The ICF finances 183 companies and entities for 115.5 million euros in Camp de Tarragona during the last three years
The activity data were made known during the Meeting for Sustainable Economic Growth that took place in Vila-seca and was opened by the Minister of Economy and Finance of the Generalitat, Natàlia Mas Guix. The day has brought together more than one hundred and twenty companies, entities and economic agents from the region.
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ICF Capital Expansió II pumps €2 million into Especialitats Masdeu
The capital increase backs up ICF Capital’s commitment to the company’s growth. The firm is a leader in manufacturing food bases including canapé biscuits, tartlets, mini cones and puff pastries such as vol-au-vent.
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Catalan Government appoints Vanessa Servera i Planas as CEO of the Institut Català de Finances
Servera, until now the institution’s General Director of Finance & Operations, takes over from the ICF’s current CEO Jordi Òliva Ritort.
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The Cecot financing office becomes the financial promoter of the ICF and will advise SMEs on the products of public promotional banks
The ICF and Cecot sign a collaboration agreement to attract and channel financing needs and to carry out promotion and training campaigns. In the last three and a half years, the ICF has financed 352 companies and entities in Vallès Occidental for a total amount of 298 million euros.
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The joint loan line between the Department for Climate Action and the ICF 'Agroliquidity' to support the agricultural sector is expanded by 20M euros
Since last autumn, nearly 1,300 operations on this line have been formalised, amounting to 77.5 million euros. The ICF Agroliquididad line is aimed at self-employed people and agricultural and agri-food companies to mitigate the effects of the increase in the price of raw materials and fuels, and the consequences of climate change. The line has interest subsidized by the Department for Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda. The vegueries of Lleida with 56% and, by far, that of Terres de l'Ebre with 12%, are the territories that concentrate more operations. By type of activity, stone fruit and cereal crops have received the most loans.
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Meeting for Sustainable Economic Growth in Vilafranca del Penedès: promoting the local business fabric
The ICF seeks to contribute to the promotion of solid and sustainable economic growth by involving all the key sectors to start transformative projects in the Penedès.
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ICF and "Empresa i Treball" activate a subsidized loan line endowed with 40 million euros to modernize tourist accommodation facilities
The loans must be used to finance investments to improve tourist accommodation, with a special impact on actions aimed at good water management, such as reducing consumption or efficient reuse. The ICF will contribute the total amount of the loans (40 million euros) and the General Directorate of Tourism of the Department of Business and Labor will allocate 5.6 million euros to the bonus of the financial cost. Hotel establishments, tourist apartments, campsites and rural tourism establishments based in Catalonia can benefit from it.
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ICF promotes IFEM as a specialized instrument for the management of European Regional Development Funds and innovative projects
ICF promotes IFEM as a specialized instrument for the management of European Regional Development Funds and innovative projects.
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The ICF supports with € 5M the new artificial intelligence projects of Airtificial Intelligence Robots, ensured by Cesce
This specialized and strategic financing operation has the EBN Banco as a Structuring Entity (through its C & IB) and Banco Agent, insured by Cesce with a Working Capital Credit Policy. The engineering firm will allocate these resources to support high added value projects for its TIER 1 multinational clients in the automotive sector that are developed at its plant in Sant Fruitós de Bages (Barcelona).
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ICF invests €10M in the new Abac Capital fund
The manager has a total of 600 million euros under management
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A hundred businessmen attend the "Meeting for sustainable economic growth" organized by the ICF in Girona
Vanessa Servera: "From the ICF we will be an ally of SMEs and the self-employed in Catalonia to make their projects viable".
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The CEB grants the ICF a loan of 100 million euros to finance social housing projects in Catalonia
The CEB grants the ICF a loan of 100 million euros to finance social housing projects in Catalonia. This CEB loan will allow Catalonia's social housing model to grow.
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The ICF allocated 8.1 million euros to finance 57 companies and entities in the Alt Empordà region, between 2020 and 2023
About 30 businessmen and women have participated in a meeting in Figueres with the Commercial Director of the ICF, Antoni Vallès, to share projects and future challenges and Jordi Vila, Director of Administration, Finance and Markets. Entrepreneurs have put on the table relevant issues such as sustainability, recycling and the role of the ICF in times of growth and also difficulties for companies.
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The ICF finances the acquisition of 80 new homes for social housing and community action programs in Deltebre
The Catalan Institute of Finance signs a financing operation with SociHabitat, Casa Alternativa and Fundació Resilis, through its ICF Social Housing Acquisition loan line, to buy a lot of homes and allocate them to social rental for people and families at risk of social exclusion.
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ICF Group posts €663.2 million in total business in 2022
The institution has financed 470 companies to the tune of €478.7 million, a volume in line with its pre-pandemic operations. Forty per cent of the funding was earmarked for ESG purposes. Loans for 159 companies were restructured in an amount of €116.7 million. The ICF’s CEO, Vanessa Servera, points out that “when a customer gets into difficulties, we seek to keep the business going by helping to arrange an agreement between the firm and the banking pool.” In venture capital, €67.8 million was invested via six funds run by external managers and in 23 companies directly by the ICF.
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The ICF finances around fifty companies and entities for 30 million euros in Terres de l'Ebre during the last three years
The activity data was made known during the fourth Meeting for sustainable economic growth, which took place in Amposta and brought together more than a hundred companies, entities and economic agents.
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The ICF supports the Fundació Ajuda i Esperança, an organization dedicated to emotional support and suicide prevention
Thanks to this collaboration, the Foundation will be able to adapt its assistance to current needs as well as consolidate the different support services that the organization offers to citizens.
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ICF finances 864 companies and entities for 153 million euros in Lleida during the last three and a half years
The activity data were made known during the Meeting for Sustainable Economic Growth that took place in Lleida and was opened by the Government representative, Montse Bergés, and where the CEO of the ICF, Vanessa Servera, made the presentation on public banking for the promotion of Catalonia. The day brought together more than 180 representatives of companies, entities and economic agents in the territory.
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ICF Capital takes a stake in PMP, a company specialising in industrialised building
Through its ICF Capital Expansió II fund, ICF Capital has acquired a holding in the company via a capital increase transaction to support its product diversification and geographical expansion strategy.
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ICF signs agreement with five town councils in el Baix Empordà to help businesses adversely affected by the August 2022 hailstorm
The public financial institution and the town councils of la Bisbal d’Empordà, Forallac, Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura, Corçà and Ullastret agree to promote funding for local businesses to mitigate the damage caused. The agreement is designed to meet companies’ cash flow needs while also enabling them to finance additional investments to make sustainability improvements to their facilities.
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ICF invests €10M in Asabys fund II, which already has 3 participating companies
Sabadell Asabys II announced the first closing of the €100M fund at the beginning of the year, and has already made 3 investments: DeepUll, OrikineBio and Gradient Denervation Technologies, the first two based in Barcelona. The public financial institution of Catalonia is once again betting on Asabys and confirms its interest in medical technology and biopharmaceutical companies.
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Measures taken by the ICF in response to COVID-19
The ICF continues to provide its usual service, but on line, following official recommendations and the confinement measures imposed by the authorities to combat the health crisis caused by coronavirus (COVID-19).
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The ICF Group funds 1,564 companies for an amount of 662.3 million euros in 2019
The ICF significantly increased its investment in the area of venture capital through investment funds, from 15.3 million euros committed in 2018 to 138.4 million euros in 2019.
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The ICF and Avalis launch a new financing line to encourage green investment
Catalan SMEs will be able to access loans of up to 500,000 euros to develop projects to improve their energy efficiency or generate their own solar power, for investments involving renewables, recycling and waste treatment, and other environmentally-friendly initiatives.
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The Government expands the credit facility to rehabilitate property owners' communities by 85 million euros through the ICF
The 85-million-euro credit agreement – out of the 100 allocated to this credit facility – has been approved today, 15 million of which had already been approved previously. It is estimated that these loans could finance the refurbishment of up to 10,000 homes pertaining to 1,000 property owners' communities
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Barcelona City Council, with the ICF and AVALIS, is promoting a 12 million euro credit line for micro-SMEs and the self-employed
Small and medium-sized companies and the self-employed will be able to apply for the microcredits, which are for 12,500 euros, electronically through the Barcelona Activa Business Support Office from 5 October.
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The Catalan Sports Council and the ICF launch the “ICF Esports Liquiditat” credit line with 10 million euros
The “ICF Esports Liquiditat” credit line is now activated. The Catalan Sports Council (CCE) has today opened the public call for grants in the form of guarantees for loan operations, through the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF), aimed at financing liquidity needs deriving from COVID-19. The total amount of the credit line for Catalan sports entities is 10 million euros. The period for applying for the loans starts tomorrow Friday and will end on 23 September.
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The fund ICF Capital Expansió II invests 3 million euros in Semillas Batlle
The purpose of the investment in the Catalan company, which is dedicated to specialised agriculture, is to increase production capacity, revamp existing facilities in order to automate processes, boost productivity and foster a smart warehouse that will reduce delivery times.
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The ICF Group has approved 1,341 operations for upwards of €500 million since the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis
The Institute, backed by the Generalitat, makes nearly 1.1 billion euros available to businesses to meet liquidity needs and safeguard jobs.
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The ICF and Avalis de Catalunya launch credit facility for catering and trade with the support of the Generalitat
The purpose of the new credit facility, intended for the self-employed and micro-enterprises in the restaurant and trade sector, is to encourage the reopening of businesses in the restaurant and trade sector by committing to new business models that help to relaunch activity, cover liquidity needs and ensure that jobs are preserved.
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ICF Capital Expansió II is leading a €4.3M capital increase at Pastisart
This is the first operation by new venture capital fund ICF Capital Expansió II, which was established last June with an investment capacity of €20M. The investment in the Catalan company, a specialist in the production of a wide variety of bakery products, aims to position Pastisart as one of the major players in the quality baking sector market, to increase production capacity and expand the product range through an acquisition.
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The ICF, backed by the Government of Catalonia, makes nearly 1.1 billion euros available to businesses to meet liquidity needs arising from the COVID-19 crisis
In addition to credit lines and guarantees amounting to 1 billion euros, the ICF and the European Commission are setting up a new 70 million euro financing solution, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), to help Catalan SMEs affected by the pandemic to cover their liquidity needs.
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The ICF and the Department of Enterprise and Knowledge create a new line of credit for companies affected by natural disasters
The loans, up to €400,000, will be used to finance small and medium-sized businesses that have been affected by emergency situations such as accidents, earthquakes, landslides, fires, floods, storms and winds.
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The ICF will participate in the fourth edition of the Advanced Factories exposition
The expo, which is held from 3 to 5 March, focuses on solutions in industrial automation, robotics, advanced manufacturing and new 4.0 technologies, as well as artificial intelligence. The ICF will provide a financial advice service for exhibitors and visitors and will make financial products, such as the ICF Industry 4.0 loans, available to the industry.
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EIB provides ICF with loan of up EUR 250 million to help small businesses cope with COVID-19 crisis
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing the Institut Catalá de Finances (ICF) with a loan of up to EUR 250 million to support SMEs, the companies most vulnerable to the COVID-19 shock. The two institutions have signed the first EUR 150 million instalment of this financing agreement under an accelerated approval procedure put in place by the EIB in this emergency to ensure that the funds reach Spanish firms as quickly as possible.
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The ICF aims to help nearly 50 000 people keep jobs, pay bills and survive during coronavirus economy downturn
COVID-19 has dealt a heavy blow to many parts of the economy, but companies that rely on tourism or travel in particular are suffering. For many, financing backed by the European Investment Bank has been a lifeline.
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The ICF and the EIB will finance Catalan SMEs with 300 million euros
The EIB has granted a loan of 150 million euros to the ICF to increase financing for small and medium-sized businesses in Catalonia. The ICF will provide an additional 150 million, with the aim of stimulating economic growth and job creation.
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The ICF invests 1.4 million euros in 8 Catalan start-ups
Through this co-financing facility established in 2012, the ICF has already invested 11.3 million euros in 72 start-ups. The ICF has accredited 15 private investors with whom it will co-invest in newly created innovative companies.
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The Capital Expansió fund invests 1 million euros in Whisbi Technologies
The Catalan SME, specialised in the digitisation of sales processes, has developed and patented a new concept of online sales and personalised, multimedia and multi-device customer service.
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The ICF reelected to the European Association of Public Banks board of directors
The ICF CEO, Josep Ramon Sanromà, has been reelected as a board member for the second consecutive term, after he was first elected in November 2014, shortly after the Catalan public financial entity joined the Association.
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The ICF participates in a photographic exhibition in Bulgaria
The photographic exhibition, organized by the Bulgarian Development Bank with the collaboration of the EAPB, illustrates some entrepreneurial projects that have received the financial support of European public banks. In the case of the ICF, the photographs correspond to the projects of Deliberry, Roberlo and Tallers Guinardó.
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Businesses give to marks to the service offered by the ICF
The ICF’s customers give the service offered by the entity a rating of 7.89, with special emphasis on the treatment, professionalism and assessment. These are data from the customer satisfaction survey carried out by the Catalan public financial entity in 2016.
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The ICF finances 1.441 companies with 570 million euros in 2016
The Catalan public financial entity financed 2% more companies than in 2015. 97% of the companies that received funding are SMEs and entrepreneurs. The ICF also invested 20.3 million euros in venture capital funds that invest in newly established companies and/or growing SMEs in Catalonia, a 16.7% increase.
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More than 650 micro-SMEs and freelancers have picked up over €8 million in funding through B-Crèdits
So far this accounts for 68% of the initial allocation to this financing facility, pegged at €12 million and set up by the ICF, Avalis de Catalunya and Barcelona City Council through Barcelona Activa.
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ICF and Ministry of Enterprise and Employment roll out €100 million loan facility to drive industrial recovery
The facility’s purpose is to support projects which restore and bolster industrial operations by SMEs and large companies while helping with their green and digital transformation. Transactions approved under this facility are backed by a Ministry of Enterprise and Employment guarantee at 80% of the outstanding exposure for SMEs and 70% for large companies.
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Catalan Government appoints Jordi ÒIiva Ritort as new Institut Català de Finances CEO
Òliva takes over executive leadership of the financial institution after a career of more than 20 years in banking, mainly at Deutsche Bank and CaixaBank. Víctor Guardiola Flores, until now the institution’s chief executive, leaves the post voluntarily for personal reasons.
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The Government appoints Víctor Guardiola Flores as Chief Executive Officer of the ICF
Josep-Ramon Sanromà, who was until now the chief executive officer, will retire after 10 years at the helm of the public financial institution, during which time the main strategic objectives defined by the institution's Supervisory Board have been achieved.
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ICF pumps €15 million into Nauta Capital’s new fund specialising in B2B software start-ups
The fund has total investment coming to €190 million.
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The ICF joins the United Nations Global Compact to step up its commitment to sustainable development
The institution becomes a signatory partner of the Global Compact, an international initiative driving the inclusion of 10 universal principles in business operations and promoting schemes aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals
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ICF Expansion Capital II fund pumps €1 million into Classpack
The Catalan firm is a pioneer in manufacturing and marketing 100% bio-based and compostable packaging solutions for the primary sector, especially the food industry. The investment will allow the company to expand its production capacity and grow with a key commitment to sustainable and environmentally-friendly products.
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ICF Venture Tech II backs Bigle Legal in a €2 million investment round
The funding will enable the document automation software firm to expand its business with a view to becoming a leader in the European legal tech market.
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Secretary General of Economy and Finance Jordi Cabrafiga is named chair of the Institut Català de Finances
The Institut Català de Finances (ICF) Supervisory Board has chosen Secretary General of Economy and Finance Jordi Cabrafiga as chair of the institution at a meeting held on Thursday evening.
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€25 million+ fund launches to accelerate energy transition start-ups
A leading group of experienced energy transition investors has today launched the ENION Fund to provide growth capital to Spanish sustainable energy technology start-up.
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Mercè Faixes (Change2Grow): “Going digital helps businesses to keep on running”
We interview the CEO of Change2Grow, Mercè Faixes, about how the association contributes to the digital transformation of the companies they work with.
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The ICF Group finances nearly 3,800 companies to the tune of €1.33 billion in 2020
The 68.4% of the total volume of funding was earmarked to meet liquidity needs arising from the Covid-19 crisis. The institution committed €33.5 million in venture capital funds, mainly in the health sciences and the digital, technology and innovation industries.
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ICF to take part in the first entrepreneurship programme in the beauty industry
The ‘Entrepreneurship in the Beauty Industry‘ programme run by the Beauty Business School (BBS) is the only training programme about entrepreneurship on the market by and for the beauty industry. The training, which will begin in May, is also supported by ACCIÓ, pharmaceutical firm Uriach and a number of other organisations.
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The Nou Hospital Evangèlic begins building its new site in the Poblenou neighbourhood
The organisation has been operating in Barcelona since the late 19th century and is on track to open its new hospital facility in 2023 which will bump up its inpatient capacity by almost 200 beds.
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The ICF pumps €5.2 million into 10 Catalan start-ups
The ICF is an investment driver in this business segment by encouraging other investors to chip in to the funding rounds.
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ICF Venture Tech II and IMPACT Partners take part in $13 million Top Doctors funding round
The investment will enable the company to grow while stepping up its leadership in a number of geographical areas and also allow it to continue supporting medical professionals as they go digital.
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The ICF steps up its digital transformation by rolling out a new banking platform
As part of its digital transformation process, the ICF has brought in RSI’s technology solution to improve handling transaction processes and procedures in a flexible technological environment which allows the bank to expand its product catalogue.
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ICF and Avalis de Catalunya announce new loans to finance stallholders at Sant Ildefons market
The new loan facility is aimed at freelancers and SMEs awarded a stall at Sant Ildefons municipal market in Cornellà de Llobregat. The loans are for up to €250,000 and will be backed by Avalis.
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New videogame business venture
Barcelona-based Arrowfist Games is working on its first project called Deflector. It’s an action videogame which stands out from others currently on the market because it’s nonlinear and enables gamers to deflect attacks
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The ICF and the AHC extend the term of social rental housing credit facilities to 30 years
The two loan facilities rolled out by the Institut Català de Finances and the Catalan Housing Agency (AHC) in 2018 have allocated €73.2 million to acquiring and developing social rental housing. These loans have enabled Catalonia’s social housing stock to be increased by 969 flats up to May, thus helping vulnerable people to find affordable properties.
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ICF Capital signs up to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment
The ICF Group’s venture capital operator builds environmental, social and good governance issues into its analysis and decision-making processes and investee management.
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The ICF and the Catalan Government have reworked the ICF Crèdit Covid-19 financing facility to fund investment schemes and extend the term of working capital loans to 10 years
The changes also include the option of amending transactions already arranged with the ICF, largely to tailor the loan repayment schedule to the company’s cash generation capacity. Up to April this year, 415 transactions had been concluded under this facility worth €382.3 million.
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ICF and IEF host a training session for Catalan SMEs
The training session is included in the programme of activities run every year by the Bank of Spain and the National Securities Market Commission as part of Financial Education Day with the tagline “Finance for All”. Around twenty firms took part in the course which was designed to upgrade their business finance skills.
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ICF revamps part of its Supervisory Board
The public financial institution’s Supervisory Board is joined by three new independent members and two proprietary members. Following these appointments, the ICF’s highest governing body now consists of its Chair, CEO, three proprietary directors and six independent directors.
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The ICF launches its Equality Plan to continue driving equal opportunities between women and men
The launch of this Plan underlines the public financial institution’s commitment to fostering diversity and equal treatment between women and men in keeping with the 10 principles of the Global Compact and the SDGs set out in the United Nations Agenda 2030.
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ICF improves customer satisfaction
A study conducted by the institution shows that customers rate their satisfaction with the ICF at 8.29, a score 0.13 points higher than in the previous survey in 2019. The recommendation and loyalty indicators, two of the main satisfaction survey ratios, also rose. Responsiveness and personalised service are some of the aspects most highly rated by satisfied customers.
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The ICF completes the first stage of its digital transformation plan with the backing of everis
Over the last two and a half years, the ICF in partnership with consultancy firm everis has undertaken far-reaching changes to address the Catalan business community’s new needs and bring in innovative digital tools.
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Casa Mas builds new 30,000-square-metre production plant in Sallent
The facility will enable the fresh ready meals firm to step up its production capacity, start up new product lines and expand its business abroad.
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ICF to provide financial advice to businesses at Piscina&Wellness
The institution is to have a booth at the show to assist exhibitors and visitors alike with a customised study of their needs and by furnishing them with the ideal funding solutions.
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ICF Venture Tech II fund invests €500,000 in Goin
The ICF venture capital fund’s investment is part of the €5 million investment round which the start-up closed in late July last year to fast-track the growth of its core business specialising in digital management of millennials’ savings.
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The Institut Català de Finances and the Agència de l'Habitatge de Catalunya open a line of loans to construct housings for social rent
The loans will be for financing the construction of 1,000 new housings. The housings will have an average of 70 m2 and a price for rent maximum of 450 euros monthly. The loans will have a fixed interest rate about which a partial allowance will be applied on the part of the Agència de l'Habitatge de Catalunya.
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The fund Capital Expansió invests 2.4 million euros in Cricursa
The Catalan company, with headquarters in Granollers, is specialized in the production of curved glass for great architectural projects and counts on 250 annual projects, 90% of which abroad.The investment will allow the introduction of the manufacture of flat glass and the growth of their productive capacity of curved glass with the objective of offering their customers integral projects.
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The Group ICF facilitate the financing to 746 companies for an amount of 213 million euros in the first semester of the year
97.6% of the funded companies has been small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs, the main sectors of the Catalan economy. The ICF has activated during the six first months of the year new lines of loans with €250 M to promote the promotion and acquisition of housings destined to social rent
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The ICF incorporates two new members into the Supervisory Board
The professor and teacher in economics José Luis Peydró joints the Supervisory Board as an independent vocal and the current general director of Industry, Matilde Villarroya, as proprietary member. With these designations, the CEO, three proprietary member and five independent members, forms the maximum government organ of the ICF.
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ICF and Triodos sign collaboration agreement to co-finance social, cultural, and environmental projects
The aim of the co-financing is to promote initiatives with added value and a positive social impact for society. Social, cultural, and environmental businesses will be able to apply for financing for new investment, expansion, innovation or internationalisation projects.
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ICF's Capital Expansió fund invests 1 million euros in BuildAir
The Catalan company, based in Molins de Rei, designs, produces, markets and maintains large-scale inflatable structures and hangars for the aeronautical and industrial sectors.
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The ICF to participate in the 20th Mercado Financiapyme organised by PIMEC
The CEO of the ICF, Josep Ramon Sanromà, took part in this act, underlining the public-private cooperation to enable companies to obtain a greater source of finance.
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The ICF and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food sign an agreement of collaboration on the subject of loans to promote the implantation of Leader projects
The objective of the loans is to facilitate the implantation of projects that promote the participative local development benefited with a Leader help, within the framework of the program of Rural Development of Catalonia 2014-2020.
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EIF and ICF mobilise €57 million in financing for sustainable projects
The European Investment Fund and the Catalan Finance Institute have signed a guarantee agreement to finance sustainability projects undertaken by SMEs and mid-caps. The agreement is backed by the InvestEU programme.
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The ICF and Tech Barcelona join forces to boost funding for the technology and digital sector
The collaboration agreement facilitates access to financing for Barcelona's business fabric, with the aim of contributing to the growth of entrepreneurship as a complement to private financing.
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Calsina Carré invests 11.2 million euros in its logistics hub in Pont de Molins to offer 550 parking spaces and new services for carriers
The Catalan company, which has received funding from the Catalan Institute of Finance for this project, continues its expansion by promoting the construction of quality services for carriers and their vehicles. Calsina Carré Services is committed to sustainability and this investment has an impact on improving energy efficiency with electricity savings of 190,000 kWh/year and renewable energy generation of 229,000 kWh/year. In addition, this figure will increase by 30% in 2025, thanks to the installation of more solar panels. The objective of the new logistics car park is to dignify the working conditions of the drivers, contribute to the general improvement of the infrastructures of the logistics sector and help the reorganisation of the territory by decongesting the area of La Jonquera.
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The ICF's 2023 Annual Report is now available
In an exercise of accountability and transparency, the Institut Català de Finances (ICF) annually publishes a document detailing the activity carried out by the entity in the last year at all levels.
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ICF finances 151 companies and entities for 106.4 million euros in Central Catalonia during the last three and a half years
The activity data were made known during the Meeting for Sustainable Economic Growth that took place in Vic and was opened by the Minister of Economy and Finance of the Generalitat, Natàlia Mas Guix. The day brought together more than fifty companies, entities and economic agents from the territory.
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The ICF relies on Inycom for the maintenance and development services of developments and projects of the entity's applications
The Catalan Institute of Finance awarded Inycom the contract to manage the maintenance services and evolution of the ICF's internal software backoffice systems before the summer. In this way, Inycom will contribute its experience in different technologies.
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ICF will have the monitoring and response services of cyber security incidents from the company S2 Grupo
The cybersecurity company S2 Grupo won the ICF's public tender for monitoring and responding to cyber security incidents, which was held last July. The aim of the service is that, in the event of a cyber attack, the ICF's response is immediate, the consequences can be mitigated and the impact on the organization is minimal.
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ICF finances 130 companies and entities for 80.8 million euros in the Maresme during the last three and a half years
The activity data was made known during the Meeting for Sustainable Economic Growth that took place in Mataró and was opened by the mayor of the city, David Bote Paz. The day brought together more than thirty entities and economic agents from the territory.
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ICF launches the campaign 'You have our full credit' to boost awareness of public banking for the promotion of Catalonia
The campaign, which starts today and will last until October 8, aims to strengthen the ICF brand and explain the role of the entity in access to financing and investment for the business fabric.
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ICF allocated 174 million euros to finance 224 companies and entities in the counties of Girona, between 2020 and 2023
About twenty businessmen and businesswomen have participated in a meeting in Olot to share projects and future challenges. The entrepreneurs have put on the table issues such as the professionalization of the teams, the generational change within the family business and the increase in the cost of energy.
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ICF allocated 174 million euros to finance 289 companies and entities in the counties of Girona, between 2020 and 2023
About fifteen businessmen and businesswomen have participated in a meeting in Ripoll with the CEO of the ICF, Vanessa Servera, to share projects and future challenges. The entrepreneurs have put on the table relevant issues such as innovation and sustainability projects and collaboration and the role of the ICF in times of growth and also difficulties for the companies.
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ICF updates the organizational structure to promote the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan
The three new additions to the Management Committee, Oriol Vidal-Barraquer, Noemí Gálvez and Antoni Vallès-Novel, are from internal promotions in a bid for the organization's talent. The changes are aimed at improving internal efficiency, clarifying roles and the versatility of the teams with an overall view of the ICF Group.
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ICF celebrates a day to recruit young talent
The organization is looking for financial analysts among university student profiles.
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The ICF opens a new call for applications for the ICF Eurocredit facility endowed with 320 million euros
The product of the public bank of the Generalitat de Catalunya, co-financed by the European Union, is intended for SMEs and companies of up to 500 workers who want to carry out investments to grow, open new markets or strengthen their activity
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The ICF and the European Commission set up the ICF Eurocrèdit facility for SMEs with 184 million euros
The new financing instrument will be co-financed 50% by the ICF and 50% by the EU ERDF fund. The line will offer loans under preferential conditions for circulating capital and/or investment in growth projects, the penetration of new markets, or the development of existing companies.
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ICF handles €24 million in loans co-financed by the European Union’s ERDF in the first five months of the year
Since 2019, over 430 transactions totalling €228.5 million have been concluded through the ICF Eurocrèdit financing facility. ERDF-supported loans have generally been targeted at stepping up production capacity by acquiring new equipment, expanding facilities or buying new industrial units. This line of credit has additionally been used to address SMEs’ liquidity needs derived from Covid-19 and the ongoing supply crisis.
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ICF finances Condensia Química with 1.6 million euros to increase its production capacity
The investment is a loan from the ICF Eurocrèdit line, which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and can provide a longer return period. Condensia Química is a company that is dedicated to the manufacture and marketing of chemical products, and with this investment it expects to create more than 10 new jobs.
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The Catalan government agrees to allocate the first dividends in the history of the ICF to social housing, the primary sector and small businesses
The Catalan Institute of Finance will distribute 25 million euros to the Generalitat de Catalunya from the profits obtained in 2023. The ICF will allocate another part of its profits to open, also for the first time, customer service offices in the main cities of Catalonia.
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The ICF finances 192 social economy projects with an amount of 57 million euros
The Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF) organised a workshop with the Third Sector Board to present its lines of social economy financing to companies and entities in this field. Around 90 companies and entities from the Third Sector attended the conference.
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Juli Fernández, Secretary General of the Department of Economy and Finance, new President of the ICF Supervisory Board
Fernández was elected at the meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Catalan Institute of Finance held on 2 October
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The ICF and Girona City Council activate the ICF Girona Fons d’Innovació of €5M for young innovative companies
As of today, the financing fund in good conditions for young and innovative companies in Girona and its urban area is already active and can receive applications. The innovation projects that will be able to access the resources are in the fields of health sciences, digital industry, the agri-food sector, energy transition, the economics of ageing, trade and tourism and the educational, cultural and sports sectors.
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The ICF increases its funding in Comarques Gironines by 81% to 99 million euros
The public promotional bank grant loans and guarantees to a total of 174 companies and entities in 2024, 87% more than the previous year. Industry is the sector most financed by the entity in the Girona region, followed by commerce, tourism and transport and social housing. The ICF brings together 150 representatives of companies, entities and economic agents of the vegueria to its Business Meeting in Girona.
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Government of Catalonia activates the new line of loans that will help young people pay for the down payment of their first home
'Préstecs Emancipació' will cover up to 20% of the value of the property, will have an interest rate of 0% and will not have to be repaid until the mortgage is paid.
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The ICF invests 2.5 million euros in 16 Catalan start-ups in 2017
The Institut Català de Finances has a specific vehicle (IFEM) to invest in newly created innovative companies through participatory loans together with invertors accredited by the ICF. From the beginning of this activity in 2012, the ICF has already invested a total of 12.3 million euros in 81 Catalan companies of new creation.
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How can I calculate my company's carbon footprint?
The data indicate that in order to limit global warming to 1.5ºC, decarbonisation must be accelerated at a rate 20 times higher than today.
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imagin and ICF sign the first agreement under the 'Prestécs Emancipació' program with two young people from Sabadell
imagin begins the marketing of mortgages linked to the 'Prestécs Emancipació' of the Government of Catalonia to make it easier for young people to acquire their first home. The ICF has already approved 343 operations with an average amount of 36,000 euros for the down payment of the purchase of the first home. As an entity adhering to the programme, CaixaBank will finance up to 80% of the value of the homes through imagin and the remaining 20% will be provided by the Generalitat through the ICF.
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New €16 million loan program to boost the growth of Catalonia’s commercial sector
The ICF Lidera Comerç line, promoted by the Department of Business and Employment and the Catalan Finance Institute, involves a total public contribution of €17.9 million, as interest rates will be subsidized to just 0.95% through an additional €1.9 million in funding.
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Rubió expands its Castellbisbal plant with a €4 million loan from ICF
The public promotion bank finances the growth project of the pharmaceutical company that will double its production capacity, expand the laboratory and generate up to 70 new jobs. The investment is a loan from the ICF Eurocrèdit line, which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and can provide a longer repayment period.
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New €50 million subsidized loan program to boost social facilities in Catalonia
The ICF Equipaments Socials loan program, promoted by the ICF and the Department of Social Rights and Inclusion, will finance the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, or adaptation of facilities to comply with regulations, such as residences, day centres, and assisted housing for the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
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EIB and ICF sign €100 million loan to back small businesses’ investments in sustainability and climate change adaptation and mitigation
This is the first tranche of a total approved loan of €200 million. The loan will expand financing available for small businesses wishing to invest in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and waste management.
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EAPB Summit in Barcelona: BID Romania Joins as Housing Crisis Tops Agenda
ICF hosts the meeting of the European Association of Public Banks.
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President Illa: "Without a good financial system, there is no functioning economy"
The leader of the Catalan Government has chaired the event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF) at the Pedralbes Palace, in front of more than 300 attendees.
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EIF and ICF sign a guarantee agreement to mobilise €114 million for innovation and digitalisation projects thanks to the Next Generation EU funds
The guarantee agreement is signed thanks to the contribution of the Regional Resilience Fund (FRA) financed by Next Generation EU and own funds from the European Investment Fund (EIF).
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Banco Santander joins the 'Préstecs Emancipació' programme that finances the down payment of young people's first homes
The loan cover up to 20% of the value of the property, have an interest of 0% and do not have to be repaid until the mortgage is paid. Banco Santander thus joins the banks already adhered to the programme: Arquia, Banc Sabadell, Bankinter, BBVA, CaixaBank and imagin, Caixa Enginyers, Caixa Guissona and LABORAL Kutxa, which will finance the remaining 80%.
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The Catalan government authorizes the ICF to create a commercial company that will allow it to operate as a credit institution
The ICF Governing Board approved the project in July, which will be submitted to European regulatory bodies to operate as a bank. The authorization of the new company is a necessary step in the processing of the banking licence, pending European approval of the ICF's proposal.
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Clyype project, ICF Girona Fons d'Innovació first operation
The programme promoted by the public promotion bank and Girona City Council finances innovative respiratory protection equipment that exceeds the characteristics of FFp3 masks up to ten times.
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New €63.2 million loan scheme for the modernization of Catalan tourist accommodations under the Catalunya Lidera plan
Jointly promoted by the Direcció General de Turisme (Departament d’Empresa i Treball) and the Institut Català de Finances, these loans will be used to finance investments such as actions to improve water management.
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The ICF presents its new website with a more modern, intuitive, and accessible design
We have revamped our portal to make it easier for users to find the loans and products that best suit their needs!
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ICF's new campaign begins: a renewed focus for our 40th anniversary!
Both the spot and the photographs of the advertisements have been registered entirely in companies financed by the Catalonia’s public promotional bank
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