BNP Paribas is proud to announce its role as one of the Joint Green and Sustainable Bond Structuring Banks and Joint Global Coordinators for the HKSAR Government’s third issuance of digital green bonds under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme. This transaction sets a new benchmark as the largest digital bond issuance to date.
The multi-currency issuance, offered in HK dollars (HKD), Renminbi (RMB), US dollars (USD) and Euro (EUR), has attracted strong demand from a diverse group of global institutional investors, reaffirming Hong Kong’s reputation as a global hub for both sustainable finance and fintech innovation. All proceeds will be earmarked to finance or refinance eligible projects that provide environmental benefits and support the sustainable development of the city, in accordance with the HKSAR Government Green Bond Framework.
BNP Paribas partnered closely with the HKSAR Government throughout the structuring and execution phases. The Securities Services business of BNP Paribas acted as a Direct Participant on the CMU-operated Distributed Ledger Technology platform, providing custody and settlement for the digitally native green notes. In addition, BNP Paribas Asset Management and BNP Paribas Asset Liability Management Treasury invested in the issuance.
BNP Paribas remains committed to advancing sustainable finance worldwide, supporting issuers, investors and policymakers in making positive impact through innovative bond programmes.
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Press contact:
BNP Paribas
Terence Ng terence.ng@asia.bnpparibas.com +852 9121 2269
Davis Li davis.li@asia.bnpparibas.com +852 6106 0183
About BNP Paribas in Asia Pacific
In Asia Pacific, BNP Paribas is one of the best-positioned international financial institutions with an uninterrupted presence since 1860. Currently with over 20,000 employees* and a presence in 13 markets, BNP Paribas provides corporates, institutional and private investors with product and service solutions tailored to their specific needs. It offers a wide range of financial services covering corporate & institutional banking, wealth management, asset management, insurance, as well as retail banking and consumer financing through strategic partnerships.
Worldwide, BNP Paribas has a presence in 64 markets with nearly 178,000 employees. It has key positions in its three main activities: Domestic Markets and International Financial Services (whose retail-banking networks and financial services are covered by Retail Banking & Services) and Corporate & Institutional Banking, which serves two client franchises: corporate clients and institutional investors. Asia Pacific is a key strategic region for BNP Paribas and it continues to develop its franchise in the region.
* excluding partnerships
BNP Paribas China Ltd has become the first foreign bank to underwrite an onshore corporate bond issued by a Chinese domestic issuer in the China market, after being awarded the Type-A Corporate Bond Lead Underwriting Licence in September this year.
BNP Paribas China Ltd acted as a joint lead underwriter for China Universal Leasing Co. Ltd’s RMB 500 million bond, issued on December 9. The super short-term commercial paper marks the first time a foreign financial institution has worked with a domestic player to issue in the world’s second-biggest market.
CG Lai, CEO of BNP Paribas China Ltd, said: “We are honored to become the first foreign bank to underwrite a bond issued by a Chinese domestic company, underscoring our consistent commitment to China. As a fully-licenced bank, BNP Paribas brings the strength of our comprehensive onshore expertise to continually help more foreign investors navigate China’s market and deepen our engagement in China’s domestic financial market to help our clients achieve their long-term business ambitions.”
George Sun, Head of Global Markets for Greater China, said: ”We are pleased to successfully complete this deal and we will look into more opportunities that can help both onshore and offshore clients tap into the growing potential of China’s domestic bond market. ”
BNP Paribas China Ltd was granted a Type-A licence, allowing it to lead underwrite domestic corporate debt from Chinese companies, from China’s National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors in September. Previously, BNP Paribas China was awarded the Type B licence in December of 2018.
Press Contacts
Ayesha de Kretser +852 2108 5458 ayesha.dekretser@asia.bnpparibas.com