The first satellite financing and leasing transaction in Shandong Province was completed in Yantai (Satellite Leasing)

On December 6, reporters learned from the Yantai State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission that recently, Yantai Guoyuan Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Guoyuan Leasing) completed and deployed Shandong Province’s first satellite financial leasing transaction through an innovative financial leasing business model. Under the guidance of the Shandong Provincial Local Financial Regulatory Bureau, this project case was awarded the title of “Outstanding Financial Leasing Case” for 2023 by the Shandong Financial Leasing Industry Association.
In 2022, Yantai City launched the “Oriole Eye” Intelligent Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation Project at the Dongfang Aerospace Port Industrial Park. With a total investment of 18.5 billion yuan, the project plans to construct a low-orbit Earth observation satellite constellation comprising over 300 intelligent optical satellites, hyperspectral satellites, and SAR satellites. It aims to establish a constellation operation system featuring “multi-purpose satellites, multi-satellite networking, multi-network integration, and intelligent services,” achieving minute-level efficient information services for global remote sensing data from acquisition to application.
As the “Oriental Insight” intelligent remote sensing constellation project is an industrial initiative characterized by its startup phase, substantial investment, and lengthy repayment cycle, it is difficult to secure external financing under traditional credit assessment standards for financial leasing and commercial leasing. To ensure project progress, Guoyuan Leasing innovatively developed a credit evaluation model for growth-oriented enterprises by introducing new concepts, methodologies, and tools in financial management and financial models. This evaluation system features a “one weak, three strong” framework. “One weak” refers to relaxing the financial evaluation thresholds for clients, while “three strong” emphasizes a comprehensive assessment of clients’ growth drivers, industry conditions, and strategic significance. This risk framework aims to start with financial data but is not confined to it. By thoroughly evaluating project risks, it lays a solid foundation for Guoyuan Leasing’s next steps in project deliberation.
After nearly a year of repeated discussions with the satellite manufacturer, Guoyuan Leasing systematically mastered the business logic of the entire satellite leasing lifecycle. Leveraging the “financing and asset leasing” characteristics of financial leasing, the company successfully completed and deployed Shandong Province’s first satellite financial leasing transaction.
Guoyuan Leasing, with capital as the connecting link and leased equipment as the medium, is based in Shandong and extends its influence nationwide. It effectively provides targeted “blood transfusion” and stimulates “blood production” for enterprises, promoting the “opening of financial water sources” for businesses. Since its establishment, the company has cumulatively provided over 2 billion yuan in financial support to real economy enterprises. In 2021, it was included in Shandong Province’s “White List” of Financial Leasing Institutions, and in 2023, it was selected as a benchmark enterprise in Yantai City’s local financial “Benchmarking and Striving for Excellence” initiative.