LandBank to issue P3-B Sustainability Bonds

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO---State-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is set to issue its first-ever Sustainability Bonds offer to fund environmental and social projects.

LANDBANK is looking to tap and access the capital markets to raise at least P3-billion from the peso-denominated fixed-rate bond offering with a two-year tenor. Due in 2024, the bonds will be issued in minimum denominations of P50,000 and in multiples of P10,000 thereafter.

Interest rate is expected to be set on October 23 while offer period is scheduled from October 26 to November 6, 2020. Listing at the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation (PDEx) is set on November 17.

Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) will be the sole lead arranger and bookrunner, while both LANDBANK and SCB will be selling agents.

“With the pandemic posing both as a pressing challenge and opportunity, it strengthens LANDBANK’s commitment all the more, with a sharpened focus in supporting sectors and activities for sustainable recovery,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo in her speech during the Sustainability Bonds virtual investors' briefing held on October 21.

LANDBANK will utilize the proceeds from the issuance to finance various loan programs that support sustainable projects such as green and social projects, as identified in LANDBANK’s Sustainable Finance Framework— the Bank’s blueprint for developing sustainable financing instruments.

Green Projects include those that contribute to environmental objectives such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resource and biodiversity conservation, and pollution prevention and control, among others.

Social Projects are ventures help address a social concern and seen to impact on people's lives. These include projects for basic infrastructure, food security, essential services, affordable housing, employment generation, and food security.

LANDBANK’s Sustainable Finance Framework is aligned with sustainable finance principles enumerated in the Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2018 by the International Capital Market Association and the ASEAN Sustainability Bond Standards 2018 by the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum, among others.

---( PR)