Following the austere years of the 1970s and 1980s, there was considerable need for secure access to credit in the Swedish local government sector. At the same time, the capital and money markets were undergoing substantial change. It was difficult to borrow money on favourable terms in relation to creditworthiness, which caused some local government authorities to ask: would it not be better to work together?

This was the start of what is now Kommuninvest. Ten municipalities in the County of Örebro decided, together with the County Council, to cooperate in the credit market by starting a joint company. When borrowing could instead be managed by Kommuninvest, loans could be obtained less expensively and access was gained to a secure source of capital during periods of financial market stress.

News of the successful cooperation spread through the country and soon local government authorities outside the County of Örebro made contact, seeking to join up. Although broadening the membership base and thus growing even stronger was viewed as positive, a new form of ownership was necessary. The growing membership also entailed new requirements for democracy between the members to function well.

Consequently, in 1992, the Kommuninvest Cooperative Society was established, and, at the same time, the company changed name to Kommuninvest i Sverige AB. Thanks to the formation of the Society, the members could pay their contributions as contribution capital, which facilitated further expansion of the membership.

Today, more than 35 years since its inception, 96 percent of Sweden’s municipalities and regions are members of Kommuninvest. Our vision is to be the world’s best organisation for local government financial administration – today and in the future.

Key milestones

1986

Ten municipalities together with the county council in the County of Örebro took the initiative to found what is now Kommuninvest.

1992

To be able to expand the operations, Kommuninvest Cooperative Society was set up as the joint owner organisation. At the same time, the company changed name to Kommuninvest i Sverige AB.

2002

Kommuninvest gained the highest credit rating, Aaa, from ratings agency Moody’s. We have maintained that rating ever since.

2004

50 percent of all Swedish municipalities were members of Kommuninvest.

2006

The other major rating agency, Standard & Poor’s, gave Kommuninvest its highest rating, AAA.

2010

Kommuninvest was approved as a monetary policy counterparty to the Swedish Riksbank and was included in the Riksbank’s RIX payment system.

2014

Kommuninvest amended its Articles of Association to facilitate the supply of capital required under the Basel III regulations.

2022

Kommuninvest has 294 municipalities and regions as members, accounts for about 58 percent of the lending to the local government sector and displays a balance sheet total of around SEK 550 billion.