RAM Sustainability completes external review on Hong Leong Investment Bank’s Green Bond Framework

Published on 23 May 2024.

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RAM Sustainability has completed the external review (also known as a second opinion) of Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad’s (HLIB) Green Bond Framework (the Framework) and concluded that its level of disclosure is Aligned with both the ASEAN Green Bond Standards (GBS) and International Capital Market Association Green Bond Principles (GBP).

RAM Sustainability classifies green, social or sustainability bond frameworks as Weak, Aligned, Strong or Advanced in comparison to applicable regulations and guidelines or best practices.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Leong Capital Berhad, HLIB provides investment banking and stockbroking services. HLIB may issue green bonds as Tier-2 Subordinated Notes (Sub-Notes) of up to RM1.0 billion in nominal value (or equivalent in other currencies) (Green Bond Issuance) under its existing 25-year Multi-Currency Tier-2 Sub-Notes Programme (the Programme). Under the Programme, HLIB has completed the first Tier-2 Sub-Notes issuance of RM50.0 million in nominal value and a second 10-year non-callable 5-year Sub-Notes issuance of RM100.0 million in nominal value. 

We have assigned Environmental Benefit (EB) ratings to the eligible projects under the Framework, which reflect their potential contribution towards the climate and wider environmental benefits. The EB ratings range from Tier-1 to Tier-3 (see Table 1).

Table 1: EB ratings assigned to HLIB’s eligible projects

 

Analytical contacts
Amirah Jamil
(603) 3385 2551
amirah@ram.com.my

Joel Thum
(603) 3385 2517
joel@ram.com.my

Media contact
Sakinah Arifin
(603) 3385 2500
sakinah@ram.com.my

 

This external review or second opinion is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, inasmuch as it does not comment on the security’s market price or its suitability for an investor, nor does it involve any audit by RAM Sustainability. 

About RAM Sustainability

RAM Sustainability Sdn Bhd (RAM Sustainability) is a provider of sustainability services and ESG analytics. Incorporated on 31 May 2000, RAM Sustainability is a wholly owned subsidiary of RAM Holdings Berhad (RAM Group). RAM Sustainability is the first ASEAN-based provider of ESG ratings and second opinions and has the distinction of being the first Registered Observer of ICMA’s Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, Sustainability Bond Guidelines and Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles in ASEAN. It was a member of ICMA’s Advisory Council to the GBP and SBP Executive Committee for three consecutive terms. On 12 August 2020, RAM Sustainability became an Approved Verifier for the certification of climate bonds under the Climate Bonds Standard & Certification Scheme after having been awarded the status by the Climate Bonds Standards Board. For further details, go to https://www.ram.com.my/sustainability.

Published by RAM Sustainability Sdn Bhd 

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