Spring 2020 Issue
> ROYAL BANK OF CANADA: BEST PRIVATE BANKING SERVICES CANADA 2020 As one of the world’s largest financial institutions, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) deploys a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to help clients and communities prosper. The bank is a one-stop destination for business and institutional clients, and private clients benefit from a wealth of products and services to support every stage of their personal and professional journeys. RBC affords clients “anytime, anywhere” access with more than 1,200 branches, 4,200 ATMs and a robust digital platform. It attracts new clients with competitive products and ensures loyalty with outstanding service and rewards. RBC has specialised chequing and savings accounts for students, new residents and holders of US-dollar accounts, and offers a selection of 20 credit cards. The bank
is a trusted ally in the housing market, providing mortgage services, educational resources, planning tools and special partner offers. RBC credit lines and loans come with competitive rates and advice to assist with cash flow and debt reduction. It encourages its clients to plan for the future by opening investment accounts, and covers the full range, including several tax-smart investment plans, mutual funds, stocks and bonds, guaranteed investment certificates, savings deposits and exchange-traded funds. RBC has launched a series of Beyond Banking Ventures to solve realworld problems and generally improve quality of life. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present the Royal Bank of Canada with the 2020 award for Best Private Banking Services (Canada).
> GRUPO T-SOLAR: BEST GREEN ENERGY BOND ISSUER EUROPE 2020 The sun bathes the planet with an abundance of affordable energy — and Grupo T-Solar harnesses that power at every step of the renewable energy value chain. The group was established in Spain over a decade ago and has developed a repertoire of skills that spans the spectrum of renewables expertise. Grupo T-Solar influences the renewables market as a power producer, and as an asset manager. In addition to the development, management and operation of energy projects, Grupo T-Solar is leading the charge for green financing. The group started 2020 by announcing the completion of one of the market’s larger financings: €34m and €234.1m in senior secured class A1 and A2 bonds, respectively, plus a 10-year loan of €299.7m. The transaction refinances 23 solar projects across Spain, totalling 127
megawatts (MW) of power potential. It also earned top marks — a resounding E1/80 — in Standard and Poor’s Green Evaluation, which analyses transparency, governance and mitigation of environmental impacts. Grupo T-Solar issued its first bond in 2017, totalling €118.3m, and refinancing 11 solar powerplants with a combined capacity of 34.2MW. The group operates more than 50 plants in Spain, Italy, Peru and India — and those operations stopped the emission of 216,000 tons of CO2 last year. The CFI.co judging panel notes that Grupo T-Solar has set its sights on the long term to create a sustainable business plan that enables investors to cut their carbon footprint — and reap healthy returns. The judges declare Grupo T-Solar as the winner of the 2020 award for Best Green Energy Bond Issuer (Europe).
> SRI LANKA BANKS' ASSOCIATION: BEST SUSTAINABLE BANKING LEADERSHIP SOUTH ASIA 2019 The Sri Lankan Banks' Association (SLBA) fills a critical role in national development by balancing business decisions against the possible impact on the country’s human, social, and environmental capital. The association launched the Sustainable Banking Initiative (SLBA-SBI) in 2015 to unite the financial sector on a platform that provides industry workers with educational opportunities and actively promotes responsible banking practices. Banks use the platform to come to a consensus on sustainable standards, define responsibilities, and coordinate efforts to implement best practices. A committee of participating SLBA banks authored a set of 11 Sustainable Banking Principles that have been adopted by 18 signatory banks. The principles promote green economies, collaborative partnerships, financial inclusion, and environmental and social governance, to highlight just a few. In
2017, SLBA added a knowledge-sharing element to the platform, including SBI guidelines, an implementation toolkit, case studies, and courses. It developed a six-module e-learning course that helps bank employees throughout the network deepen their understanding of sustainable banking principles — and then transform that knowledge into action. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has published a sustainability roadmap that illustrates some of the tools available when developing a sustainable finance framework, but participation is voluntary rather than regulatory at present. SLBA hopes to influence public finance policy and inspire industry participation to achieve sustainable economic growth for a greener and more inclusive future. The CFI.co judging panel presents the Sri Lanka Banks' Association with the 2019 Best Sustainable Banking Leadership (South Asia) award. CFI.co | Capital Finance International
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