Ahren Lester

Sustainability-linked bond coupon steps jump higher in 2023

The most common maximum coupon step-ups associated with sustainability-linked bonds (SLB) have risen sharply in 2023 amid rising interest rates and greater market scrutiny of the materiality of the performance-based instrument.

LGIM launches 'unique' ESG emerging market sovereign bond index fund

Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM) has launched a "unique" sustainability-focused emerging market (EM) sovereign bond index fund in its Future World series, which it said aims to "eliminate" the "ingrained income bias" that impacts sovereign ESG scores.

IAIS issues 'call to action' to close natural catastrophe protection gap

The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) urged supervisors to help the industry close the growing natural catastrophe (NatCat) protection gap, arguing this task is "central" to the work of insurance supervisors.

Lloyds looks to energise 'slow' sustainability-linked derivative market

Lloyds Banking Group hopes the sluggish sustainability-linked derivatives (SLDs) market will accelerate in 2024, but argues that lots of industry work must be done before we see material transaction growth.

Fiji launches debut sovereign 'blue' bond

Fiji is looking to raise up to FJD20 million ($8.7 million) from its debut sovereign 'blue' bond, which will fund water and marine projects including nature-based coastal protection infrastructure.

Investor groups publish 'harmonised' responsible investment definitions

The UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), CFA Institute, and Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (GSIA) have published a harmonised set of definitions for investment managers around five of the most commonly used responsible investment strategies.

UK local government 'climate bond' toolkit launched

Moody's: 2023 sustainable bond issuance 'still on track' for $950bn

Moody's Investors Service said annual sustainable bond issuance in 2023 was still "on track" to surpass 2022 levels, with the financial services firm reiterating its $950 billion forecast ahead of the UN COP28 climate summit next month.

Franklin Templeton launches two green bond ETFs

Franklin Templeton has launched two actively managed green bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs), four years after its ground-breaking debut green bond ETF launch.

Aareal Bank plans benchmark green bond after tightening green building criteria

Aareal Bank is planning to issue its third benchmark-sized green bond in 2024, after the German property lender updated its green finance framework with new and tightened green building criteria.