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Management standpoints

Standpoint: Stepped-up commitment in the railway sector

KfW IPEX-Bank is expanding its commitment for a variety of reasons. First and foremost is its resolve to contribute to the transport transition and climate change mitigation by shifting transport of passengers and goods to the railways. Dr Carsten Wiebers sees a trend towards leasing models due to high efficiency gains. KfW IPEX-Bank has developed its own model for this purpose.

Dr Carsten Wiebers, Global Head of Aviation, Mobility & Transport, in an interview with “Rail Business” magazine.

Standpoint: Ship financing in the era of climate change

Climate action has become a permanent fixture in public debate. A change in thinking has also been long underway in the shipping industry. Sustainable drive systems for ships are becoming increasingly important. However, they need financing from somewhere. What role is Germany’s leading bank for ship financing playing in all of this?

Sebastian Blum and Sebastian Fenk, both Team Heads from the Maritime Industries Department at KfW IPEX-Bank, speak to Lesley Bankes-Hughes from ship.energy and bunkerspot about financing the decarbonisation of shipping.

Standpoint: Organisational model for the local public transport of tomorrow

Municipalities face financial issues when planning regional mobility and bringing about the associated transport transition. Separating ownership from operation of modes of transport from an organisational point of view is one promising model.

In a guest article in "Der Neue Kämmerer" magazine for financial decision-makers, Dr Carsten Wiebers, Global Head of Aviation, Mobility & Transport, and Jerina Mariathasan, Mobility & Transport Associate, explain the benefits of this model and how the functional separation can help when financing new technologies.

Standpoints: Equator Principles IV

As a global framework that applies to all industry sectors, the Equator Principles combine key factors of sustainable financing. The revised Equator Principles IV came into effect on 1 October 2020. Human rights and climate protection have now been added as obligatory assessment areas for all financing projects.

In a guest commentary for Börsen-Zeitung newspaper, Sabine Lehmann, Sustainability Officer at KfW IPEX-Bank, explains the importance of the framework for financial institutions.

Standpoints: Reverse factoring

Companies need liquidity like people need air to breathe - and in order to delay liquidity outflows, more and more companies are beginning to rely on reverse factoring. Practice shows, however, that the use of this instrument can also have a critical effect on success.

In a guest commentary for the German daily Börsen-Zeitung Ursula Friedman, Director of Credit Risk Management, and Georg Gliem, analyst in Credit Risk Management, explain what reverse factoring is and why it can accelerate a crisis, especially in a financial bottleneck.

Standpoints: Supply of raw materials

Projects aimed at securing raw materials are part of the DNA of KfW IPEX-Bank - from promoting copper mines in Chile in the 1960s to current challenges facing European companies related to the sheer availability of raw materials.

In two interviews Stefan Eitel, Head of the Metals & Mining team at KfW IPEX-Bank explains criteria for financing projects and current challenges for the industry in Germany and Europe.

Standpoint: Mobility in megacities

"Urban traffic in many megacities is near collapse. We have to find the best solutions for the future of public mobility and transport – worldwide."

Dr Carsten Wiebers, Global Head of Aviation, Mobility & Transport

Short video statement (1:50 Min.)

Standpoint: PPP projects to expand health care infrastructure

"The UN sees the PPP model as a viable solution in providing health care infrastructure for the people who need it. We have therefore redefined the PPP model and changed the emphasis to 'people-first PPP'".

An interview with Geoffrey Hamilton (Chief, Cooperation and Partnership Section, UNECE) and Thomas Alberghina (Director Infrastructure, KfW IPEX-Bank).

Read interview

Standpoint: Taking the 'green' route in ship finance

HANSA, one of Europe's leading international maritime journals, took a closer look at the financing approach of KfW IPEX-Bank, which places much importance on supporting environmentally friendly shipping. Editor-in-chief Krischan Förster spoke at length with Holger Apel, Global Head of Maritime Industries.

'KfW IPEX-Bank geht den "grünen" Weg' (article available in German only): published in the maritime journal 'HANSA' (June 2018)

Standpoint: Export credits and export credit insurance

"The world of exports has changed. In the past, exports were mainly handled through exporters' sales activities. Today, the emancipated importer abroad decides whom to buy from because exporters are queuing up to sell to him. The financing options also play a role in the selection process."

Dr Nadja Marschhausen, Head of Structuring Advisory, in an interview with VDI Nachrichten

Read interview

Standpoint: Financings with a positive impact

"KfW IPEX-Bank is a bank that always invests early in new sectors and provides expertise. We were the first to finance offshore wind farms. I believe that our participation in the early stages of this emerging industry was essential for risk assessment and thus the implementation of these complex projects."

Thomas Brehler, Global Head of Power, Renewables and Water in an interview with bizz energy.

Standpoint: Investment opportunities in Africa

"We are convinced that Africa harbours enormous potential for growth. Yet in order for this potential to unfold, there is an urgent need for local infrastructure."

Joseph Mbuyi, Director of the Representative Office in Johannesburg, and Christian Bevc, Global Head of Transport and Social Infrastructure, discussing investment opportunities in Africa.

Play video (2:35 min.)

Standpoint: Financing for the export industry

"We want to be a leading export and project financier in order to fulfil our role in and for KfW Group and to support the German and European export industry."

Dr. Axel Radü, Head of Communications and Strategy, in an interview with Nachrichten für Außenhandel.