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Helaba joins the Energy Efficient Mortgages Pilot Scheme

24 September 2020

Brussels, 24 September 2020 – For immediate release

The Energy Efficient Mortgages Initiative (EEMI) is delighted to announce that HELABA has joined the Energy Efficient Mortgages Pilot Scheme, taking the number of pioneers to 59 lending institutions as of today. This group is paving the way for the launch of the market-led Energy Efficient Mortgage Label across Europe which will act as a qualitative benchmark for consumers, lenders and investors.

The EEM Label is the result of multisectoral governance and strong cooperation aimed at designing a new sustainable business model which delivers incentives and benefits for consumers, banks, utilities, SMEs, local authorities, regions and cities. This joint effort between the private and public sectors is intended to not only secure quality and transparency in relation to energy efficient mortgages, but also to deliver unprecedented coordinated support across sectors to the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and to the implementation of the EU Green Deal. Against this background, these 58 lending institutions are joined by 48 supporting organisations throughout EU and by 17 national, European and International institutions of the 19 Advisory Council, which advises on the development of the Pilot Scheme in the market.

The EEMI more broadly aims at delivering a mortgage financing mechanism, according to which borrowers are incentivised to improve the energy efficiency of their properties or to acquire highly energy efficient properties, by way of favourable financial conditions linked to the mortgage. The Initiative is furthermore developing a data collection infrastructure for energy efficient mortgages.

Luca Bertalot, Energy Efficient Mortgages Initiative Coordinator, commented:

“We are delighted to welcome HELABA as a new member of the Energy Efficient Mortgages Initiative Pilot Scheme. This is a positive support for our initiative by raising awareness and facilitating cooperation between the relevant German national stakeholders about the added value of EEMs in stimulating investment in energy performance.”

Thomas Groß, CEO Helaba said:

“As a commercial bank with international operations and one of the largest providers of real estate finance in Europe, our banking activities have always been guided by a clear set of values”, explains Thomas Gross, CEO, Helaba. “In addition, we committed ourselves to promoting sustainability and, consequently, to ensuring we adhere to ESG criteria. Joining the EEMAP project as a pilot bank is therefore a logical step towards a more sustainable future.”