CIC Bank Suisse aviation finance
Mike van Berkel, the head of business jet finance at CIC Bank Suisse, did not end up in aircraft finance by accident. His father was an airline pilot and van Berkel also flew in the airforce and still flies in a Pilatus C12 aircraft. "I was always knew I wanted to work in aviation and was lucky to end up in a well-paid side."
Our guide
Mike van Berkel, the head of business jet finance at CIC Bank Suisse, did not end up in aircraft finance by accident. His father was an airline pilot and van Berkel also flew in the airforce and still flies in a Pilatus C12 aircraft. “I was always knew I wanted to work in aviation and was lucky to end up in a well-paid side.”
CIC Suisse finances both companies and private individuals and the bank’s business jet team has the same approach. Unlike some other Swiss banks that are very active in Eastern Europe and Russia the bank’s aviation team focuses on western Europe however it will consider smaller and older aircraft than many of its local rivals.
“We know aircraft,” says van Berkel. Deal sizes range between a minimum loan of $1 million to $20 million and the bank has financed very light jets including Cessna Mustangs and Phenom 100s. “We are also well positioned as a co-operative bank and our cost of funding is competitive.” CIC will also finance helicopters. It is prepared to lend against assets as old as 20 years.
The bank specialises in working with entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals with many referred to it by manufacturers and lawyers.
“Our message to anyone looking for financing is pitch it to us and we will always take a look at it,” says van Berkel. “We are always happy to look.”
