CaixaBank participates in the €835 million sustainable revolving credit facility for the real estate company SFL, the French subsidiary of the Colonial Group

Leadership in sustainable finance

• This is the first time CaixaBank has acted as Sustainable Coordinator in France, reinforcing its position in the sustainable finance sector in Europe.
• The credit facility includes a margin adjustment mechanism based on SFL's performance on three ESG indicators: carbon emissions reduction, asset certification, and rating awarded by GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark).

CaixaBank has participated as sustainable coordinator in the sustainability-linked syndicated revolving credit facility of €835 million to the real estate company Société Foncière Lyonnaise (SFL), the French subsidiary of the Colonial Group. This is the first time that CaixaBank has taken on this role in France, strengthening its position in sustainable financing in Europe.

The revolving sustainable credit facility has a maturity of 5 years (plus two one-year extension options), partially replaces existing lines and also enhances the Group’s liquidity.

The new credit facility incorporates a margin adjustment mechanism based on three ESG performance indicators consistent with Group's objectives and strategy in terms of carbon emissions reduction, asset certification and rating awarded by GRESB rating (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark, which analyses and compares the ESG performance and best practices of companies active in the sector).

CaixaBank in France

CaixaBank has a branch licence in France since 2018, through which it offers corporate banking services to French and Spanish companies and multinationals with interests in the country.

In recent years, CaixaBank's branch in France has confirmed its strong commitment to the country, consolidating its position in the ESG financing sector. Since 2019, the branch has participated in 33 sustainable financing operations for a cumulative total of more than €3.2 billion, making it the benchmark Spanish banking partner in sustainability for companies in France.

CaixaBank, a European benchmark in sustainability

CaixaBank's sustainability initiatives focus on promoting the energy transition of companies and society as a whole, including the development of solutions for individuals focused on mobility and sustainable housing, and the promotion of investments with ESG criteria. 

CaixaBank is the leading bank in sustainable finance in Europe in the first quarter of the year, according to the Refinitiv ranking, which places the bank in first place in the EMEA Top Tier Green & ESG-Linked Loans ranking. As part of its new 2022-2024 strategic plan, CaixaBank aims to mobilise €64 billion in sustainable finances by promoting several initiatives focused on product offerings, ESG advice, awareness-raising and training.

About SFL

Leader in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, Société Foncière Lyonnaise stands out for the quality of its property portfolio, which is valued at €8.2 billion and is focused on the Central Business District of Paris (#cloud.paris, Edouard VII, Washington Plaza, etc.), and for the quality of its client portfolio, which is composed of prestigious companies in the consulting, media, digital, luxury, finance and insurance sectors. As France’s oldest property company, SFL demonstrates year after year an unwavering commitment to its strategy focused on creating a high value in use for users and, ultimately, substantial appraisal values for its properties.

About Colonial

Grupo Colonial is a SOCIMI listed on the Spanish stock exchange, leader in the prime office real estate market in Europe, present in the main business areas of Barcelona, Madrid and Paris with a prime office portfolio of more than one million m2 and an asset value under management of more than €13,000m.