HSBC is named Asia’s Best Bank for Sustainable Finance for the second year, in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2019.
It was also named the World’s Best Bank for Sustainable Finance and the Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA).
“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’.
Stuart Milne, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Malaysia, said “As the world’s fastest growing and most populous region, Asia presents unique challenges and opportunities in the transition to a low carbon economy.”
“At HSBC Malaysia, 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 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.
“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.
Recently, HSBC in Malaysia once again took the lead in sustainable investment with the launch of ESG Islamic Structured Product in June 2019. Following the successful launch of the world’s first United Nations Sustainable Development Goals sukuk in October 2018, this first-in-the-market ESG-related investment product demonstrates HSBC’s leadership in sustainable financing and investments.
“The introduction of this innovative product is clearly in line with Bank Negara Malaysia’s Value-based Intermediation (“VBI”) initiative that seeks to shift the focus of the Islamic finance industry to integrate environmental and social tenets into banking activities,” added Stuart.
HSBC has delivered a range of sustainable finance transactions in Malaysia, Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore and South Korea.
