SMBC group is a leading arranger of education project finance and was ranked as the top mandated lead arranger (MLA) for UK education projects by Infrastructure Journal in 2007. Since then we have continued our leadership as an arranger in the UK whilst also transferring our expertise in new markets.

In December 2008, SMBC group closed the first ever education PPP project in the Middle East, Paris-Sorbonne University, and was awarded the Middle East PFI social infrastructure deal of the year.

In September 2008, SMBC group closed the largest social infrastructure education project ever financed by banks in North America, Alberta Schools, and was awarded the North American PFI social infrastructure deal of year.

The infrastructure and PPP team has in-depth and long-established market experience in the education sector, having acted as MLA on ten Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects and twenty PFI/PPP/P3 schools projects, and as funder on a further four BSF and eleven PFI/PPP/P3 school projects in the last few years.

We have been involved in the development of the BSF documentation through the consultation process and financed the first BSF project to reach financial close, Bristol BSF. We have collaborated in driving the developments for the education sector in the UK, actively taking part in market consultations with PUK and Partnerships for Schools.