CIMB enters landmark RM2.45 billion sustainability-linked derivative transaction with Standard Chartered

20 October 2021

Based on the latest publicly available data, this landmark transaction is the world’s first Malaysian Ringgit denominated sustainability-linked derivative transaction and Asia’s largest ESG linked derivative trade to date

Kuala Lumpur: CIMB Bank (“CIMB” or the “Bank”) announced today that it has entered into a sustainability-linked derivative (“SLD”) transaction with Standard Chartered Malaysia in the form of an interest rate swap with a notional value of RM2.45 billion for hedging purposes. Based on publicly available data and the latest data compiled by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) as at January 2021, this landmark deal is the world’s first Malaysian Ringgit denominated SLD transaction and to date Asia’s largest environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) linked derivative transaction by notional value.

This landmark SLD transaction has been structured to involve a pricing mechanism whereby a discount (cost reduction) or premium (penalty) will be applied depending on whether CIMB Group achieves pre-agreed sustainability performance targets (“SPTs”). The ESG overlay of this instrument has been structured around two KPIs that reinforce recently announced sustainability commitments made by CIMB Group. The two KPIs are the Group’s percentile ranking for banks based on the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment[¹] in support of the Group’s aspiration to be an industry leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (“DJSI”), and reductions in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions in line with the Group’s Net Zero ambitions. The SPTs that have been set are material, ambitious, objective, measurable and verifiable by independent sources.

Following this transaction, CIMB is keen to work with clients to execute more innovative treasury and derivative transactions with ESG-related pricing components or utilisation of proceeds, such as swaps, forwards and options involving cross currency, interest rate, commodity, or foreign exchange transactions. CIMB has also been active in offering loan/financing products and bonds/sukuk that are sustainable or sustainability-linked.

Dato’ Abdul Rahman Ahmad, Group CEO of CIMB Group, said “We are pleased to have successfully executed this landmark SLD transaction, a testament to the expertise of our Treasury & Markets team and our Group’s ambition to be an ASEAN sustainability leader by 2024. This transaction demonstrates our very real commitment towards achieving our commitments to mobilise RM30 billion in sustainable finance by 2024, achieve net zero scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030, and Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050, including financed emissions. As a financial intermediary, we play a critical role in channelling financing and capital in ways that will support a just transition towards a net zero economy and greater social equity. In collaboration with our clients and partners, we look forward to introducing more innovative offerings such as this SLD in the sustainable finance space.”

Abrar A. Anwar, MD and CEO of Standard Chartered Malaysia, said “The attitude towards ESG issues have transformed significantly but many companies are still facing challenges when it comes to incorporating sustainability. Despite their intention to transition to net zero by 2050, 67% of corporates have yet to take any action due to the lack of capital².

As a key intermediary in the financial system, Standard Chartered is making big strides in the roll-out of new ESG products within our derivatives offering in Asia such as commodity, forex and credit – a proposition that is unique to us and offered globally. We’ve been named as Currency Derivatives House of the Year at the Asia Risk Awards 2021 due to our ability to deliver solutions and shift risk via our product suite.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support CIMB with fulfilling their sustainability agenda as we collectively navigate net zero. Healing the world is a mammoth task, and this landmark deal shows how key collaboration is to making that happen. It isn’t just about helping clients; we’re looking inwards and making our own commitments. To that effect, Standard Chartered is working towards reaching net zero carbon emissions from our financing by 2050, as part of our strategic commitment to put the world on a sustainable path to a zero-carbon economy.”

Under its Forward23+ Strategic Plan, CIMB Group has set a target to be listed and be in the top quartile of the DJSI by 2024. The DJSI tracks the performance of the world’s leading companies in terms of their sustainability performance and ESG elements based on their annual scores using the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. CIMB Group has been steadily improving its position from the 19^th percentile in 2017 to 65^th percentile in 2019. The Group also recently became a signatory to the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (“NZBA”), which is a part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero and the United Nations Race to Zero.

This SLD offering extends CIMB’s track record as an early mover in sustainability-linked instruments in the ASEAN region. CIMB has been actively providing sustainable lending/financing products and was one of the first banks in the country to launch sustainability-linked loans (“SLLs”) for corporate clients in 2020 with an allocation of RM3 billion through 2024. As for the bonds/sukuk space, in the first half of 2021, CIMB acted as the lead manager for the government of Malaysia’s dual tranche US$1.3 billion Sukuk Wakala offering, where the US$800 million sustainability tranche was the world’s first US dollar sustainability sukuk offered by a sovereign. CIMB also launched and priced the government of Indonesia’s US$3 billion global sukuk offering, including a US$750 million green sukuk tranche.

In 2019, CIMB Group introduced its Group Sustainable Financing Policy and in 2020, the Group implemented its Green, Social, Sustainable Impact Products and Services (“GSSIPS”) framework. The GSSIPS framework applies to all offerings across the Group, including wholesale and commercial financing, bonds and intermediation, wealth products, and products that enable financial inclusion such as affordable home financing and other products catered to the B40 group.

In 2020, the Group introduced its coal sector guide which sets out CIMB’s commitment to phase out coal from its portfolio by 2040 in line with the 1.5-degree Celsius goal of the Paris Climate Agreement. With the issuance of the coal sector guide, CIMB became the first banking group in Malaysia and the first in Southeast Asia to commit to phasing out coal from its portfolio.

 [¹]  DJSI Family Universe Percentile Ranking for Global Banks as calculated in accordance with the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) methodology.

[²] Zeronomics: https://www.sc.com/en/insights/zeronomics/