Ahren Lester

Articles by Ahren Lester

  • SLLP consider formalising 'sleeping SLL' guardrails

    23 July 2024

    The Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles (SLLP) are preparing to formalise treatment of so-called 'sleeping SLLs' in its upcoming revision, including formalising "guardrails" to ensure these contested but "useful tools" are credible.

  • 'Probably the most beautiful bond we have ever seen'

    23 July 2024

    The Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute (AFII) has argued that sovereign issuers should develop a sustainability-linked bond (SLB) in twin-bond format, arguing this would "probably be the most beautiful bond we have ever seen".

  • NatWest: Investors 'increasingly' asking for blue and nature bond deals

    22 July 2024

    Investors are increasingly asking NatWest to specifically bring nature-focused and 'blue' bond deals to market, but despite being "meaningful" themes in the sustainable bond market they are still not effectively being pointed out.

  • EU GBS: 58% of sustainable bond frameworks since 2023 meet standard

    22 July 2024

    Nearly three-fifths of the green and sustainability bond frameworks published since the start of 2023 'could claim alignment' with the rigorous requirements under the EU Green Bond Standard (EU GBS), according to MainStreet Partners.

  • Rakbank raises $600m from 'milestone' social bond debut

    22 July 2024

    United Arab Emirates (UAE) lender Rakbank has raised $600 million from its debut social bond, which is the first public social bond issued in the Middle East.

  • Japanese transition bonds likely to 'move closer to green'

    22 July 2024

    The use of proceeds for the ground-breaking Japanese sovereign transition bond programme is likely to become more conventionally 'green' rather than move more into the more contested 'transition' projects, according to the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA).

  • CA-CIB issues debut 'Sustainability-linked Loan Bond'

    19 July 2024

    French lender Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank (CA-CIB) has launched a JPY3 billion ($19 million) bond focused on financing a portfolio of sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) following a detailed set of 'best-in-class' practices.

  • Masdar raises $1bn from second green bond

    19 July 2024

    United Arab Emirates (UAE) renewable energy firm Masdar has raised $1 billion from its second green bond, a year after the state-owned firm made its green bond debut.

  • Sustainable bond 'maturity wall' marks major milestone

    19 July 2024

    Record maturing sustainable bond volumes could slow net issuance, but represents a "significant" next step for a market that is coming of age. Ahren Lester reports

  • CBI certification 'very difficult' for Japanese transition bonds

    18 July 2024

    Japan has confirmed it is not looking to certify its upcoming transition bonds with the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) due to challenges posed by its diverse framework, including around funding innovative start-ups.