Ameriabank successfully placed its first ever Green Bond

Ameriabank issued a Green Bond in EUR for the equivalent of USD 50 million, marking a milestone in the local financial market as the first ever Green Bond project in Armenia. The Green Bond was structured in accordance with internationally recognized ICMA Green Bond Principles (the GBP).

The debut Green Bond is issued in close cooperation with our long lasting partner – FMO, the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank - that is also the anchor investor in this transaction. Sustainalytics, a global leader in sustainability research & analysis, provided the Second-Party Opinion to our Green Bond Framework (GBF), verifying GBF’s alignment with the GBP and the global market standards. Ernst & Young acted as the external consultant in GBF design and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adaptation for our core business.

Artak Hanesyan, CEO of Ameriabank, commented: “We are delighted to announce that Ameriabank has successfully issued the first-ever Green Bond from Armenia. Funding raised via Green Bonds provides an unrivalled opportunity to play an essential role in financing green projects that contribute to environmental sustainability. I would like to thank our partners at FMO for their support to become the key investor in this landmark transaction. Lastly, I would also congratulate our team at Ameriabank with this success.”

Huib-Jan de Ruijter, CIO of FMO added: "Today marks another important step in our strong and successful relationship with Ameriabank. Throughout the years, we have taken a wide variety of steps together, including the provision of a subordinated loan, various senior debt facilities, and a loan targeted at youth entrepreneurs. In 2019 we agreed to embark on a green finance development journey, leading to the green bond we can present today. I’m very much looking forward to our future cooperation and supporting Ameriabank in further developing its Green Strategy to help reach its ambitions to be the leading green bank in the country.”