First investment guarantee
We offer all new investors a First Investment Guarantee, allowing people to try out impact investing with Trine with reduced risk. All new investors may get their first investment guaranteed up to €100, as long as no other guarantee applies to the loan you invest in. This is because only one guarantee can apply at once.
What if I want to invest more than €100?
You’re free to invest any amount of money you’re comfortable with, but only the first €100 will be covered by the guarantee. Once you begin to receive repayments on your invested capital, your guaranteed amount will decrease proportionally.
For example, if you invest €150, then the guarantee covers 66.67% of your initial investment. Once you receive your first payback, the guarantee will decrease proportionally so that your guaranteed value of 66.67% remains unchanged.
Does the guarantee cover any earned interest?
In short, no. The guarantee will only cover your invested capital. If a borrower is unable to pay back the investment, the guarantee will kick in, and we will cover your invested capital. But any future interest payments will be cancelled.
Will the guarantee apply to my existing investment?
The guarantee will only apply to new, first-time investments that were made from 17th June 2020 inclusive.
When would the guarantee not apply?
The guarantee does not apply if there are any other guarantees provided. This is because only one form of investment protection can apply at once.
One other foreseeable scenario where we would be unable to honor the guarantee is if Trine ceased to function or exist as a company due to bankruptcy or insolvency.
This opportunity is provided in collaboration with Energy 4 Impact and funded with UK aid from the UK government.
Click here to make your first investment.
SIDA and DFC Investment Protection
Trine has throughout the years offered different types of investment protections in collaboration with SIDA, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Energy 4 Impact. If a loan is under a SIDA or DFC guarantee, it will be stated in a box on the right-hand side of the loan page of the specific loan you are looking to invest in (see below for an example); if there's no box on the right-hand side of the loan, the loan does not have any investment protection. With the transition to the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar sector, we have reduced our use of external investment protection because we did not consider it to be value for money in this sector.
Investment protection is provided in collaboration with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
Trine provides partial investment protection in collaboration with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Investment protection is a way to mitigate risk and enables more people to invest through Trine. This means that in the case where a borrower is not able to repay their loan, you as an investor are guaranteed, subject to the terms and conditions of the DFC guaranty, to get back some of the amount you originally invested.
What loans are eligible for investment protection?
Loans are eligible for investment protection as long as they meet the terms and conditions set by DFC. For a loan to qualify for investment protection, in addition to the use of proceeds and structuring requirements, the borrowers need to be non-sovereign, private enterprises that are Clean Energy Borrowers established and operating under the laws of, or using the proceeds for investment in, designated Eligible Countries, as defined below:
“Clean Energy Borrowers” including individuals, households, companies and municipalities that are investing in clean energy projects, including but not limited to renewable energy, liquified natural gas-based energy, energy efficiency, green mortgages, repairs, upgrades, maintenance, improvements, and other energy savings opportunities, but excluding coal, oil, charcoal and nuclear-related investments.
“Eligible Countries” including Belize, Benin, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Suriname, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no loans may be placed under coverage of this Guaranty to Qualifying Borrowers in (or who intend to use proceeds of the Loans in) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Senegal, Sierra Leone, or Uganda (collectively, the “FGA Countries”) until the DFC has confirmed in writing in accordance with the agreement.
How much does the investment protection cover and how do I find out if a loan is covered?
Investment protection provided by the DFC would cover 50% of outstanding losses of principal in the event that a borrower defaults on a loan. If a loan is covered by DFC's investment protection, it will be stated on the loan offer page with a box on the right-hand side, as shown below:
How does the process look for the investment protection to be paid out to investors?
Trine manages the debt recovery process on behalf of our investors. In the case where a loan that is eligible for investment protection defaults, Trine must submit a claim request to DFC with detailed information confirming that the loan default process has followed a specific set of requirements.
It is therefore important to note that this includes a process of diligently pursuing and documenting reasonable debt collection efforts in respect of the qualifying loans. The process of retrieving the investment protection can therefore take time and needs to be approved by DFC before it can be executed.
Please note that it is not until DFC has determined whether the requirements for the claim request have been met and they have given formal approval that any funds under the investment protection can be paid out.
Investment protection in collaboration with Sida
Trine is able to provide investment protection in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). The investment protection protects initial investments made through Trine’s site. Sida would cover 60% of the outstanding principal in the event that a borrower defaults on a loan. For the guarantee to be executed, Trine must submit a claim request that needs to be approved by SIDA. Read more about the collaboration here.
Please note: only one guarantee can apply at once, which means that the first investment guarantee does not apply when a loan is subject to either the DFC or SIDA guarantee. Loans applicable for investment protection will show a box stating the specific guarantee on the right-hand side of the loan offer page.
Investing with Trine involves risk that can result in the loss of some or all of your investment and returns are not guaranteed. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Trine AB (org.nr 559003-1463) is a Swedish authorized Payment Institution and Crowdfunding Service Provider under the supervision of The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen). Trine conducts Payment Services in accordance with the Payment Services Act 2010:751 and Crowdfunding Services according to EU regulation 2020/1503.
If you have any questions or concerns, we are here to help. Reach out to us at hello@trine.com.