A: The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) is the State of California’s only general purpose financing authority. The Legislature created IBank in 1994 to finance public infrastructure and private development that promote a healthy climate for jobs, contribute to a strong economy, and improve the quality of life in California communities. IBank operates according to the Bergeson-Peace Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Act in California (Government Code Sections 63000-63089.98) et seq.

A: IBank has financed more than $52 billion in infrastructure and economic development projects.

A: IBank is located in the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz).

A: IBank is governed and its corporate power exercised by a five-member Board of Directors, and an Executive Director who runs the day-to-day operations. The Board consists of the Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the State Treasurer, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency and a Governor’s Appointee.

A: IBank has broad statutory authority to issue tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds, provide loans to state and local governments for public infrastructure and economic expansion projects and loan guarantees to help small businesses. IBank’s current programs include the Infrastructure State Revolving Fund (ISRF) Program; Bond Financing Program, including: 501(c)(3) Bonds, Industrial Development Bonds; Exempt Facility Bonds; and Public Agency Revenue Bonds; as well as the Small Business Finance Center. In addition, IBank created the California Lending for Energy and Environmental Needs Center (CLEEN) to help meet the State’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals.

A: IBank is a self-supporting governmental entity that pays for its operations from service fees and interest earnings on loans and investments. The Infrastructure State Revolving Fund (ISRF) Program, a direct loan program, was originally funded with seed money from the State’s General Fund in the late 1990s and early 2000s. ISRF loans are currently funded with the proceeds of tax-exempt ISRF revenue bonds.

A: The ISRF Program provides financing to public agencies and nonprofit corporations sponsored by public agencies for a wide variety of infrastructure and economic development projects. ISRF Program funding is available in amounts ranging from $1 million to $65 million, with terms for the useful life of the project up to a maximum of 30 years. Eligible projects include (not limited to):

Environmental mitigation, goods movement-related infrastructure, hospitals, military infrastructure and defense conversion, parks and recreational facilities, ports and public transit, power and communications, public safety facilities, sewage/solid waste collection, treatment and disposal, streets and highways, water projects (drainage, supply, flood control, treatment and distribution) and more.

A: Eligible applicants must be located in California and include any subdivision of a local government, including cities, counties, special districts, assessment districts, joint powers authorities and nonprofit organizations sponsored by a government entity. For a more comprehensive list of eligible projects and more information, click here. 

A: Government agencies sell bonds to finance a variety of projects and activities. When investors purchase bonds, they essentially lend money to the bond seller, or issuer. In this way, a bond is similar to a loan. In return for the bond proceeds, the issuer promises to pay the investor a specified rate of interest over the life of the bond and to repay the bond when it comes due.

A: Bonds issued by government agencies are called municipal bonds. The funds are used to finance projects that benefit the community such as roads, schools, bridges, sewers, parks or water treatment. Most bonds issued by government agencies are tax-exempt. This means bondholders do not have to pay federal income taxes and, in most cases, state income taxes on the interest they earn.

A: Yes, as a conduit issuer, IBank issues bonds on behalf of a borrower and then lends those proceeds to that borrower. The borrower provides security to the bondholder and agrees to repay the bonds.

A: Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs): Tax-exempt conduit revenue bond financing for eligible small to mid-size manufacturing companies up to $10 million for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipping of manufacturing and processing facilities.

501(c)(3) Bonds: Tax-exempt conduit revenue bonds provide low-cost financing for capital improvement projects for nonprofit public benefit corporations.

Public Agency Revenue Bonds (PARBs): Tax-exempt bond financing for government entities are for projects that enhance infrastructure, or the economic, social or cultural quality of life for residents in the community or State.

Exempt Facility Bonds: Tax-exempt financing for projects that are government-owned or consist of privately used or leased facilities on public -property; such as private airline improvements at publicly owned airports, ports, water facilities and other private enterprises that serve the general-public.

A: IBank offers a number of benefits for its clients including below-market interest rates, the ability to finance a wide-range of projects, an in-house team of loan officers, legal and technical support, non-competitive application process competitive application and issuance fees, a single TEFRA (Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act) hearing and more including applications being accepted continuously.

A: IBank’s Jump Start Loan Program helps low-wealth entrepreneurs in low-wealth communities start, grow, and thrive. Jump Start provides technical assistance, financial literacy training and microloans from $500 to $10,000. Go here for more information including eligibility.

A: IBank’s SBLGP helps lenders provide loans to small businesses, farmers and exporters that may be experiencing difficulty accessing affordable capital. IBank partners with Financial Development Corporations (FDCs) to guarantee loans up to 80 percent, to encourage lenders to provide funds to small businesses. For more information, including what proceeds from the loans are eligible to fund, please go here.

A: IBank issues loan guarantees in partnership with seven partner Financial Development Corporations (FDCs) located throughout the State. Potential borrowers may contact FDCs directly to apply for a loan through participating financing institutions, credit unions, or Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). For more information, please click here.

A: Yes, IBank cannot finance housing. All projects must be located in California. All financing applications are subject to Board approval.

A: Applications are continuously accepted for all IBank financing. A calendar of deadlines for advancing an application to the Board in a timely manner is here.  *Meeting the deadlines do not absolutely guarantee an application will be submitted to the Board for approval.

A: The costs involved with issuing bonds are called Costs of Issuance (“COI”). COI generally includes, but is not limited to the fees related to underwriters/lenders, bond counsel, consultant/municipal advisor, underwriters/lenders counsel, agent-for-sale, IBank, rating agencies, trustee, printer, title company, verification agent. The total COI cannot be more than 2% of the issue par amount. Borrowers may select to pay the COI with the bond proceeds or pay it with their other sources of available funds.

A: Applicants will need to select and hire a bond counsel who will assist in completing the IBank application, preparing bond documents and providing necessary advice and direction during the issuance process.

A: IBank is a conduit bonds issuer and does not underwrite bonds in house. The underwriting is performed by the borrowers’ selected bank/lender.

A: IBank Bergeson-Peace Act Sections 63010 (g) & (q) excluded any housing projects from the various types of economic and public development projects that IBank Bond Financing Program can assist financing.

A: No, IBank cannot adjust the debt service payments on a bond. Borrowers will need to consult with their bond counsel about any changes to the bonds documents and/or the bonds structure.