ALF Specialised Finance Awards distinguish six sustainability and innovation initiatives

Honourable Mentions awarded at the 2026 ALF National Convention recognise projects by Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Locarent, BNP Paribas Factor and Ayvens in the areas of climate transition, electric mobility and financial innovation

The 2026 edition of the ALF National Convention was marked by the 2nd edition of the ALF Specialised Finance Awards, which recognised the best-performing institutions in the categories of highest new business and highest growth.

The winners of the second edition were as follows:

- Equipment and Vehicle Leasing Production Award: Novo Banco

- Real Estate Leasing Production Award: Millennium BCP

- Factoring Production Award: Banco Santander

- Confirming Production Award: Millennium BCP

- Renting Production Award: Ayvens

- Growth Award for Equipment and Vehicle Leasing: Novo Banco

- Growth Award in Real Estate Leasing: Millennium BCP

- Growth Award in Factoring: Novo Banco

- Growth Award in Confirming: Caixa Geral de Depósitos

- Growth Award in Renting: Ayvens 

- Leadership Award in Electric Mobility: Locarent

With the 2030 climate targets drawing nearer and European regulatory pressure intensifying, the specialist finance sector in Portugal is undergoing a transformation: leasing, factoring and renting products are no longer merely investment or financial management tools, but have become active drivers of companies’ sustainable transition. It is against this backdrop that ALF has also awarded six Honourable Mentions to initiatives by four of its members that concretely illustrate this transformation.

The awards were organised into two categories – “Sustainable Future” and “Innovation with Impact” – and recognise projects that integrate ESG criteria into operations and products, accelerate the energy transition in corporate fleets and introduce new approaches to serve Portuguese businesses.

"These awards reflect a conviction we share as an industry: specialised finance is not merely a tool for economic growth; it is also an active driver of sustainable transition. The initiatives we have recognised this year demonstrate that our members are at the forefront of integrating ESG criteria into their operations and products, anticipating regulatory requirements and their clients’ expectations, whilst contributing to the development of the national economy”, says Luís Augusto, Chairman of ALF.

1. “Sustainable Future” Honourable Mentions

Caixa Geral de Depósitos – “Caixa and Sustainability”

CGD was recognised for its track record of integrating sustainability into its leasing and factoring products, as set out in its strategic plans for 2021–2024 and 2025–2028. Notable achievements include €2.37 billion in ESG financing, the highest ESG rating among Portuguese banks awarded by Sustainalytics, and the distinction of being the first Portuguese bank to issue sustainable debt and to implement an ESG rating model for corporate clients.

Locarent – “Back to the Future” Campaign

The initiative invites customers to terminate their leasing contracts early, at no extra cost, by signing up for a more modern vehicle – preferably one that is 100% electric. Designed as an ongoing programme, it combines operational innovation with the decarbonisation of mobility, helping businesses to reduce their TCO and meet their ESG targets.

BNP Paribas Factor – Sustainable Factoring

It presents an innovative solution that links the financial terms of factoring transactions to clients’ ESG performance, as measured by pre-defined KPIs or external ratings. Through incentive mechanisms linked to the achievement of sustainability targets, the initiative aligns financing with companies’ climate and social objectives, contributing to the European Green Deal and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Ayvens Portugal – Ayvens Portugal’s New Sustainable Headquarters

In 2025, Ayvens Portugal opened its new headquarters in Paço de Arcos, designed as a sustainable and efficient workspace. The premises feature 100% renewable energy, solar panels, sensor-controlled LED lighting, efficient water management systems and around 120 charging points for electric vehicles, reinforcing the consistency between the sustainable mobility solutions the company promotes to its clients and its own internal operations.

2. Honourable Mentions: “Innovation with Impact”

Locarent – Motorcycle Renting and Heavy Vehicle Renting

In 2025, Locarent became the first fleet management operator in Portugal to offer an integrated mobility solution for light vehicles, motorcycles and heavy vehicles. The Motorcycle Renting service, developed in partnership with Honda, meets the needs of urban business mobility. The Heavy Vehicle Renting service, in partnership with IVECO, addresses the investment and risk management challenges faced by transport and logistics companies. 

Ayvens Portugal – Ayvens 2025 Research Programme

Ayvens Portugal’s Consultancy Division has developed, amongst others, two complementary white papers: ‘Mobility 2025’, featuring an in-depth analysis of the automotive market and TCO by segment and engine type, and the “Car Policy Benchmark 2025”, a triennial study which, for the first time, incorporates the drivers’ perspective, based on surveys of more than three thousand users, assessing the maturity of fleet policies and readiness for electric mobility.