RMB awarded for sustainable finance solutions

MEDIA RELEASE

6 JULY 2022

RMB excels in Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards

RMB has won both the Best Bank for Sustainable Finance for South Africa and the Regional Award for Outstanding Leadership in Sustainable Project Finance in Africa in the recent Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards.  The awards, hosted by Global Finance magazine, celebrate the international leaders in financial services.

Nigel Beck, Head Sustainable Finance and ESG Advisory says: “The awards are an affirmation of the milestones we have achieved in becoming the African bank of choice for sustainable finance. FirstRand has committed to facilitating R200 billion of transition / sustainable finance by 2026 – receiving two sustainable finance awards confirms we are making great strides in fulfilling this objective.”

In less than a year, RMB’s Sustainable Finance and ESG Advisory team has developed a clear African market leadership position with the successful implementation of a number of landmark transactions, including:  

• the first state-owned company issuance of a sustainability-linked bond (SLB) in Africa, and also the single largest ZAR denominated SLB to be issued (R1.2 billion)
• the largest listed SLB in the REIT sector in South Africa (R1.0 billion)
• the first syndicated sustainability-linked loan (SLL) in Africa (R8.45 billion)

“Our wide range of deals illustrate RMB’s focus on building an ecosystem of sustainable finance solutions that support clients’ sustainability and transition requirements across a number of sectors,” says Beck.

Significant positive environmental and social outcomes have been realised through the sustainable finance deals facilitated by RMB, from CO₂ reduction and water efficiency through to board and management diversity, better patient care and promotion of ESG and climate-related disclosures. RMB is also a leading player in infrastructure and project finance across sub-Saharan Africa, with many of these transactions working towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including solar renewable energy plants in Namibia and a waste to energy plant in South Africa.

Beck concludes: “We are grateful for this global industry recognition, and look forward to continuing our strategic focus on sustainability and transition in Africa.”

End

Contact:

Kate Kelly l RMB l kate.kelly@rmb.co.za