Deals

QBE issued the first capital instrument from a financial institution to take the form of a social bond on 9 November, a US$400m Additional Tier 1 gender equality bond that attracted some US$9.5bn of orders.

QBE put gender equality centre stage when it sold the first capital instrument from a financial institution to be in social bond format on 9 November. Here, QBE group treasurer Paul Byrne discusses the inspiration for the landmark and its execution.

Barclays became the first UK bank to issue a green bond yesterday (Monday), selling a EUR500m six year non-call five HoldCo issue flat to fair value in a strong credit market, shortly after the UK government established a green finance taskforce of which the issuer is a member.

Australia’s Westpac Banking Corporation will on Thursday begin a roadshow ahead of a planned debut euro green bond, while compatriot QBE will follow up its first green bond from the insurance sector with a gender equality US dollar AT1 deal.

Swedbank yesterday (Monday) achieved what is believed to be the tightest spread of any five year senior unsecured euro benchmark since the financial crisis with its first green bond, a EUR500m deal that a Swedbank official said had already stimulated enquiries for green financing from corporates.

Deutsche Hypo will next month become only the second issuer of a green benchmark covered bond, after having today (Wednesday) announced a roadshow ahead of a debut backed by commercial real estate, in a boost to the sustainable covered bond segment, which has lagged other asset classes.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group became the first Japanese issuer to sell a green bond in accordance with Ministry of the Environment guidelines on 4 October, and SMFG officials said the move highlights a growing focus on the asset class in Japan, while being a green TLAC/MREL euro first.

Berlin Hyp issued a EUR500m 10 year senior green bond yesterday (Tuesday), thereby becoming the bank with the most green benchmarks outstanding, and for the first time it sold the majority of a benchmark issue to non-German accounts, with its green commitment cited as a factor in investors’ support.