Financial Times, in association with IFC, launches first global Sustainable Banking Awards

London, 28th November 2005: The Financial Times - in association with the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group - launched today the first global awards for sustainable banking.

The annual FT Sustainable Banking Awards are dedicated to recognising banks that have shown leadership and innovation in integrating social and environmental objectives into their operations, while still maximising financial gain for the benefit of their shareholders.

Entries will be invited from banks active in both developed and emerging markets. They will compete for the awards of Sustainable Bank of the Year, Emerging Markets Sustainable Bank of the Year, Sustainable Bankers of the Year, and Sustainable Deal of the Year. There will also be a thematic award, which this year will acknowledge achievements in sustainable banking tied to the energy sector. The technical advisers on the programme are consultants Sustainable Finance Ltd.

The awards will be announced at a special ceremony in London in June 2006.

The deadline for initial entries is March 15, 2006 and the entry form is available online on a special FT web site (www.ft.com/sustainablebanking) designed to accompany the awards programme. The site will act as a reference resource on sustainable banking, while providing a forum for discussion, with live Q&As and links to industry experts.

The judging panel brings together leading figures involved in sustainable finance and development:

• John Willman, chief leader writer, Financial Times (panel co-chair)

• Lars Thunell, executive vice president, International Finance Corporation (panel co-chair)

• Nancy Birdsall, president, Center for Global Development

• David Blood, managing partner, Generation Investment Management

• Paul Grimes, chief operating officer, FTSE Group

• Leo Johnson, co-founder, Sustainable Finance Ltd

• Tessa Tennant, chair, Association for Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Asia

• Sivendran Vettivetpillai, managing director, Aureos Advisers Ltd

Lionel Barber, editor of the Financial Times, said: “Teams of specialist bankers have emerged whose mandate is to find innovative ways of financing projects or creating products with significant social and environmental benefits, while also meeting their banks’ profit targets and protecting their shareholders. ”

Lars Thunell, executive vice president-elect of the International Finance Corporation, said: “Banks see sustainability as an opportunity rather than a burden, and are increasingly embracing the ‘triple bottom line’ concept of social, environmental and financial gain. It is important that the banks leading this trend in terms of effort, commitment and innovation feel their achievements are rewarded. That is why we are delighted to be associated with the Financial Times in launching the Sustainable Banking Awards.”

Ends.

For further information, please contact:

Joanna Manning-Cooper, Financial Times, +44 207 873 4447

Joanna.manning-cooper@ft.com

Katy Hemmings, Financial Times, +44 207 873 3811

katy.hemmings@ft.com

Georgina Baker, International Finance Corporation, +1 202 458 0134

gbaker@ifc.org

Miguel Martins, International Finance Corporation, +1 202 458 0550

mmartins1@ifc.org

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2024. All rights reserved.
Reuse this content (opens in new window) CommentsJump to comments section

Follow the topics in this article

Comments

Comments have not been enabled for this article.