3i Group PLC 's a leading private equity firm. It's listed on the London Stock Exchange and's a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. History The company was formed in 1945, as the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation (ICFC), by the Bank of England and the major British banks to provide long term investment funding for small and medium-sized enterprises. Its foundation was inspired by the government, and resulted from the recognition in the 1930s, given new impetus in the postwar era, tha… (More on 3i)