Despite all the challenges facing markets in 2022 – from strained balance sheets following the Covid-19 pandemic, to high inflation, rising interest rates, and an energy crisis against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – HSBC remained focused on its ESG ambitions.
One Environmental Finance Bond Awards judge called the bank a "clear leader in the sustainability market", with active involvement in the evolution of the sustainable finance market and added it was a "trusted partner" to its clients.
HSBC was ranked number two for overall sovereign green bonds and number two for sovereign APAC green bonds in 2022, based on the total number of green bonds issued globally, according to Dealogic.
Working with sovereigns in 2022, HSBC published, marketed, and executed two sovereign ESG frameworks – one of which was specifically green – and was a participant in a further ten sovereign ESG deals across six currencies.
Countries include Canada, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Belgium.
Also winning Lead manager of the year, sustainability bonds – financial institution, HSBC supported insurers Abeille Vie in their inaugural sustainable bond issuance last year, while in the US, HSBC helped American Express (AMEX) with their inaugural sustainability bond, which was the largest US dollar sustainability tranche by a US entity.
HSBC's leadership with municipal and local authority sustainability bond issues is demonstrated by the fact that Dealogic currently rates the bank number one, the bank said.
HSBC's third award, Lead manager of the year, sustainability bonds – local authority/municipality comes in a year when HSBC partnered supported the Spanish Regional Government of Andalusia (Junta de Andalucia) with its third sustainable bond, having led both previous deals as well as structuring the region's Sustainable Bond Framework.
HSBC also supported Agence France Locale's (AFL) second sustainability bond, which achieved an order book of €2.25 billion ($2.5 billion) on a €500 million deal, making it the largest volume of interest in an AFL deal ever, according to HSBC.
Anjuli Pandit, head of sustainable bonds EMEA and Americas at HSBC, said: "Given the challenge to access the markets last year, HSBC could deep-dive into our clients' sustainability strategies to bring sustainable finance products to market with enhanced ESG disclosures and commitments.
"We are proud to deliver ESG advice that speaks to local and regional nuances, coupled with well-thought out and agile execution strategies to ensure issuers stay firmly on the path to decarbonisation."
