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 a 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.
