NIBC Accelerates Growth in Digital Infrastructure: Focus Shifts to Data Centres

At the end of 2025, Jan Willem van Roggen, Head of Digital Infrastructure at NIBC Bank, joined the “TP:Talks” podcast by Telecompaper, sharing insights into NIBC Bank’s role in financing digital infrastructure projects across Europe. Below is a summary of the key topics discussed.

The digital economy is advancing at a rapid pace, and NIBC is keeping pace with these changes. To date, we have provided €2.1 billion in loans for digital infrastructure across Western Europe. Looking ahead to 2026, our aim is continued growth - with a particular focus on data centres.

Why Data Centres?

Data centres are expanding quickly. They are scalable, stable, and offer an attractive risk-return profile, especially with strong, reliable tenants such as hyperscalers and AI-driven companies. 

NIBC participates in large projects through syndicates, with loans up to €50 million, but also takes a leading role in smaller colocation projects in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Geographical Focus

Our financing activities are concentrated in the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Nordics. 
The Nordics stand out as a region of interest due to the availability of renewable energy and sufficient space for new data centres. 
Spain is also emerging as a growth market, thanks to the increased use of wind and solar energy.

However, data centre development in the Netherlands has stalled, mainly due to a halt on permits and grid congestion. As a result, Amsterdam is losing ground to other regions within the FLAPD market (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin).

New Financing

Jan Willem van Roggen explains: “NIBC is recognised for its speed and market expertise in financing processes. We focus on participating in syndicates rather than providing large, standalone loans. Our swift approval process is highly valued by clients, partner banks, and advisors. For new financing, reliability and trust in the owner are crucial.”

We are approaching new financing for fibre projects with greater caution. The rollout of FTTH networks is slower than expected, impacted by staff shortages, complex permitting procedures, and strong competition. Connecting customers is labour-intensive, and costs are rising.

ABN AMRO has announced its intention to acquire NIBC Bank, with the transaction expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. Until then, NIBC’s commercial operations remain unchanged. As Jan Willem van Roggen emphasises: “We remain open to new transactions and continue to work with an ambitious budget!”

Interested in further insights?

Listen to the Dutch-language TP:Talks podcast with Ed Achterberg and Jan Willem van Roggen of NIBC!