Bucharest, Romania, June 7, 2021—The largest ever corporate bond issued in Romanian Leu and the largest ever green bond issued by a financial institution in Romania will help increase access to climate finance while boosting the resilience of the banking sector and supporting the country's climate goals.
IFC is investing RON 293.5 million (or approximately $72 million equivalent) in local currency-denominated senior non-preferred bonds, placed by Raiffeisen Bank S.A. (RBRO), a systemic bank in Romania. This is IFC's second investment in RBRO's green bonds this year, following its first investment—RON 80.3 million (or approximately $20 million equivalent) on May 14—in RBRO's first senior preferred bonds, which was also the first green bond issued by a financial institution in Romania. The bonds are expected to qualify for the Minimum Requirement for own funds and Eligible Liabilities (MREL) in line with the European Union's Banking Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD).
"If we are able to deliver sustainable financial solutions, which enable our clients to cope with today's and tomorrow's huge challenges, we have a bigger chance to succeed in achieving our ambition to become the most recommended financial group in the near future. With our second green bond issuance we are continuing the path to mobilize capital for sustainable purposes, to integrate social and environmental considerations in risk management, to ensure progressive decarbonization of portfolios and to include sustainability factors into key business areas." said Steven Van Groningen, RBRO's President and CEO.
The bonds have been issued in compliance with RBRO's Green Bond Framework, and 100 percent of the proceeds will be channeled to eligible climate finance projects in five key areas. These include green buildings, renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, and sustainable agriculture. Further, the bonds will support RBRO in achieving the targeted cushion for its own funds and eligible liabilities, enhancing the bank's stability as a systemic financial institution in Romania.
"One of IFC's strategic priorities in Romania is to help promote sustainable growth. In alignment, our second investment in RBRO's bonds aims to create a vibrant green bond market by stimulating private sector investment in the country," said Vittorio Di Bello, IFC's Regional Head of Industry for Financial Institutions in Europe and Central Asia. "Moreover, IFC's support will help strengthen the local capital market and increase subscription to MREL-eligible bonds, thereby bolstering Romania's financial infrastructure and accelerating low-carbon growth."
An IFC client since 2004, RBRO is a member of the Raiffeisen Group (RBI). The financing builds on IFC's existing relationship with RBRO and RBI and expands IFC's engagement with RBRO in the climate-finance space.
About IFC
IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2020, we invested $22 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit http://www.ifc.org
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About RBRO
RBRO is a subsidiary of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) and is one of the systemic banks in Romania. The Bank, currently ranked fourth by net loans with a 10 percent market share (as of December 31, 2020), has an extended history on the local market and offers a wide range of banking services with a nationwide presence. As of December 31, 2020, RBRO served 2.18 million clients, with over 4,900 employees and 333 outlets. The Bank holds a Long-Term Counterparty Risk Rating and a Long-Term Deposit rating of Baa1/negative outlook from Moody's.
