HSBC named Asia’s Best Bank for Sustainable Finance two years running

HSBC has been named both the World’s Best Bank for Sustainable Finance and Asia’s Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in the Euromoneyⁱ Awards for Excellence 2019.

“If there is one bank that is bringing the urgency of getting capital working for the planet, it is HSBC,” said Euromoney in its coverage of the awards, “The bank dominates in green bonds and green loans, and as a trusted bank in the sector, HBSC nearly always appears with firsts.” The publication noted that “the scope of the work at the bank covers every country in which it operates and every business line from retail banking to supply-chain finance.”

Daniel Klier, Global Head of Sustainable Finance at HSBC, said: ‘‘We are honoured that Euromoney have recognised our achievements to date. HSBC is proud of its work in Sustainable Finance, which is key to our long term strategy. We believe that we are still at the start of an exciting journey to a sustainable, low-carbon economy and will continue to support our customers’ investments in this area.”

Euromoney noted that in Asia, HSBC has been ‘working across the entire region across the spectrum – helping improve livelihoods and helping companies with their low carbon transition’. The award highlighted HSBC as ‘the green structuring agent on more than half of the green, social or sustainability deals in the time period reviewed’.

HSBC has acted as Green Structuring Advisorⁱⁱ on over half of the bond deals where the bank was a bookrunner, covering more currencies and for more markets than any other bookrunner.

HSBC has delivered a range of sustainable finance transactions in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and South Korea.

Hamish Kelly, Head of Global Banking at HSBC Australia, said: “We work closely with our clients to help them understand the impact of climate change on their businesses and use our expertise in financing, investments and supply chain solutions to meet their needs. We want to play our role in ensuring the region’s development is environmentally and socially sustainable, by driving a transformation of the financial system that underpins it. Our goal is to mainstream sustainable finance across all sectors.”

The following landmark deals helped HSBC clinch this award, including:

• Macquarie University’s first sustainable bond from a university
• HSBC Amanah Malaysia’s UN Sustainable Development Goals Sukuk
• Hong Kong’s inaugural sovereign US$1bn green bond
• Link REIT’s green convertible bond, the first from the real estate sector
• The first green loan in Singapore for Ho Bee Land.

The award also cited HSBC’s holistic approach to sustainability, including:

• Research reports and events to communicate ESG to governments, corporates and investors
• ESG-linked investment products and portfolio tools for retail and private banking clients, and
• SME funding in mainland China and microfinance initiatives in India
• Partnerships across Asia including the creation of a sustainable palm oil alliance and sustainable steel coalition, collaboration with the Apparel Impact Institute and launch of the Plastic, Ocean and Business Innovation forum in Hong Kong to support businesses targeting plastic clean-up and reduction.

“With sustainability integrated in every business line, across geographies, with a commitment to innovation and standard setting, HSBC is central to the evolution of sustainable finance”, said Euromoney.

ⁱ For 50 years, Euromoney has been the leading publication for covering the growth of international finance. Over the past 12 months its coverage has included interviews with close to 100 bank CEOs, ministers of finance and central bank governors around the world. Euromoney's Awards for Excellence are the awards that matter to the banks and bankers who matter. They were established in 1992 and were the first of their kind in the global banking industry. This year Euromoney received almost 1,000 submissions from banks in an awards programme that covers 20 global awards, more than 50 regional awards, and best bank awards in close to 100 countries. Visit their website for more information.

ⁱⁱ Dealogic, from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019