For the second year in a row, Natixis CIB has won the Investment bank of the year award. Since last year's victory, it reports it has grown the footprint of its green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked (GSSS) bonds portfolio to account for approximately 30% of its debt capital markets (DCM) activities.

Meanwhile, Natixis CIB created its Green Weighting Factor (GWF) in 2019 to be able to track the environmental impact of its lending, both positive and negative, to expedite its sustainability transition. The bank observes that it has significantly helped its clients in their transition as it has promoted green and sustainability-linked financing solutions. It has also oriented Natixis CIB's balance sheet towards greener assets and clients.

In addition, it allows Natixis CIB to provide its clients with expertise in decarbonisation technologies, primarily hydrogen, bio-energies, and batteries.

The GWF is applied to all Natixis CIB financing across all sectors ahead of a credit decision. It works by reducing the analytical risk-weighted asset risk by 50% for green deals, while increasing it by 24% for deals with a negative environmental and climate impact.

By leveraging the GWF Natixis CIB aims to align its portfolio with a net-zero emissions by 2050 trajectory.

"This is a very important achievement for us, rewarding both our leadership, track record and continued innovation in sustainable finance," said Orith Azoulay, global head of green and sustainable finance. "We would like to thank our long-standing clients for continuing to trust Natixis CIB as their go to partner for sustainable finance."

Elsewhere, the bank is keen to position itself as not just a deal-maker but as the go-to advisor and financial partner for clients' energy transition. In order to achieve this its Green & Sustainable Hub (GSH) provides freely accessible expert research without a paywall to disseminate knowledge across the industry.

"Natixis has been pioneering in their swimming lane for some time now," commented one IMPACT Awards judge. "This application goes to show just why they have the reputation they do - clear, compelling, focussed and market leading, just like their business."

Another judge commended the firm's "impressive and well-communicated track record".