On May 24, 2011, the Club des Trente awarded its "2010 Refinancing Prize" to the Europcar deal for its sophisticated and innovative structure.

In August 2010, Europcar completed the refinancing of its senior debt facility, which was used to fund its vehicle fleet. This facility was set up in May 2006 when Europcar was acquired by Eurazeo, and matured in May 2011. This refinancing deal consisted of:

• a seven-year EUR 250 million collateralized bond issue with a coupon of 9.75%, for which Crédit Agricole CIB acted as mandated associate bookrunner. An additional EUR 100 million issue was launched in May 2011;
• a four-year EUR 1.3 billion senior asset financing facility, for which Crédit Agricole CIB acted as arranger, structuring agent and sole coordinator.

This refinancing enabled Europcar to diversify its funding sources and secure the long-term financing of its rental vehicle fleet in France, Germany, Spain and Italy. 
The transaction was one of the largest securitisation deals in France in 2010, confirming vehicle rental companies' interest in innovative structured finance deals.

"This award recognises the expertise of Debt & Credit Markets teams in securitisation and high-yield bond issues teams of Crédit Agricole CIB for sophisticated and innovative deals. It also acknowledges the quality of the relationship maintained by the Bank with Europcar and its shareholder Eurazeo," said Stéphane Publie, Senior Banker.
 

For several years, Crédit Agricole CIB have had a key role into the deals awarded by the Club des Trente:

• 2010 – “Prize for the best financing transaction” for Rexel
• 2009 – “Grand Prix” for GDF/Suez
• 2008 –“Grand Prix” for Lafarge

Founded in 1973, the "Club des Trente" is a group of top-level executives who serve or have served in financial functions (corporate chairmen, chief financial officers, etc.) at large French companies. Its Grand Prix recognises the “best financial deal of the year.” This prize is highly esteemed by companies and their financial and legal advisors.