Project Description
On the 29th June 2022, the EBRD invested CZK 1.323 billion (EUR 53.5 million equivalent or 22% of the issuance amount) in a Senior Non-Preferred ("SNP") bond issued by Ceska sporitelna, as part of a local issuance of CZK 6 billion, listed on the Prague Stock Exchange. This Bond is eligible to meet the regulatory minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) and has a maturity of 5 years, with a call option after 4 years.
On the 24th August 2023, the EBRD participated with EUR 15 million (or 3% of the issuance amount) to the international Green SNP issuance by Ceska sporitelna - in total amount of EUR 500 million. The Green SNP bond is listed on Vienna Stock Exchange, eligible to meet the regulatory minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) and has a maturity of 4.5 years, with a call option after 3.5 years.
Project Objectives
The Project contributes to a green economic recovery in the Czech Republic, helps the resilience of a systemically important bank in Czech Republic, and promotes the development of the local capital market.
The Project strongly supports the green agenda in Czech Republic by investing in issuances of Green Bonds i demonstrating support for the development of this still novel instrument on the local market, whilst for Bank's investments in bonds that are not in the Green Bond format, Ceska sporitelna will commit to allocate 120% of EBRD's participation to financing green projects in line with EBRD's Green Economy Transition ("GET") requirements.
Transition Impact
ETI score: 67
The expected transition impact stems from its contribution to the Resilient and Green qualities:
Resilient: The Project will contribute to the resilience of the local banking sector and of a systemic financial institution, and to capital market development.
Green: The Project will support EBRD's Green Economy Transition (GET) approach in the Czech Republic, through Ceska sporitelna issuing the still novel Green Bond instruments and for Bank's investments in bonds that are not in the Green Bond format, allocating 120% of EBRD's investments to GET-eligible projects.
Client Information
CESKA SPORITELNA AS
Ceska sporitelna is the second largest bank in the Czech Republic with 18% market share by total assets as of end-May 2023, and is classified as other systematically important institution (O-SII). Ceska sporitelna is a wholly owned subsidiary of Erste Group Bank AG. It is rated A (stable) by Fitch, A1 (stable) by Moody's, and A (negative) by S&P.
EBRD Finance Summary
EBRD Finance Summary: EUR 68.5 million
Total Project Cost
Total Project Cost: EUR 742.5 million
Additionality
The Project depicts strong additionality by supporting Ceska sporitelna to issue its first CZK-denominated SNP bond on the local market, as well as continued SNP issuances on the local or international market to build its loss absorption capacity, with EBRD's participation facilitating further mobilisation of stable, long-hold institutional investors.
The Project also involves standard-setting in the request to allocate 120% of EBRD participation proceeds to GET-eligible projects meeting certain demanding standards and certification requirements, as well as participation to still novel green capital market instruments such as Green Bonds. This helps Ceska sporitelna to promote green projects and enhance awareness and deployment of funds in this area and sets a market example for sustainable finance.
Environmental and Social Summary
Requirements 2, 4 and 9, comply with the EBRD's Environmental and Social Risk Management Procedures as appropriate for the type of investment they undertake and submit annual environmental and social reports to the Bank. Renewable energy projects financed with EBRD's use of proceeds will need to follow the E&S Eligibility Criteria for such projects and Ceska sporitelna will be expected to report on compliance with these annually. The GET share for this project is 100%.
Technical Cooperation and Grant Financing
N/A
Company Contact Information
nullhttp://www.csas.cz
Ceská sporitelna, a.s.
Budejovická 1518/13a,b
Praha 4, 140 00
Czech Republic
Implementation summary
N/A
PSD last updated
27 Sep 2023
Understanding Transition
Further information regarding the EBRD’s approach to measuring transition impact is available here.
Business opportunities
For business opportunities or procurement, contact the client company.
For business opportunities with EBRD (not related to procurement) contact:
Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com
For state-sector projects, visit EBRD Procurement:
Tel: +44 20 7338 6794
Email: procurement@ebrd.com
General enquiries
Specific enquiries can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.
Environmental and Social Policy (ESP)
The ESP and the associated Performance Requirements (PRs) set out the ways in which the EBRD implements its commitment to promoting “environmentally sound and sustainable development”. The ESP and the PRs include specific provisions for clients to comply with the applicable requirements of national laws on public information and consultation as well as to establish a grievance mechanism to receive and facilitate resolution of stakeholders’ concerns and grievances, in particular, about environmental and social performance of the client and the project. Proportionate to the nature and scale of a project’s environmental and social risks and impacts, the EBRD additionally requires its clients to disclose information, as appropriate, about the risks and impacts arising from projects or to undertake meaningful consultation with stakeholders and consider and respond to their feedback.
More information on the EBRD’s practices in this regard is set out in the ESP.
Integrity and Compliance
The EBRD's Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (OCCO) promotes good governance and ensures that the highest standards of integrity are applied to all activities of the Bank in accordance with international best practice. Integrity due diligence is conducted on all Bank clients to ensure that projects do not present unacceptable integrity or reputational risks to the Bank. The Bank believes that identifying and resolving issues at the project assessment approval stages is the most effective means of ensuring the integrity of Bank transactions. OCCO plays a key role in these protective efforts, and also helps to monitor integrity risks in projects post-investment.
OCCO is also responsible for investigating allegations of fraud, corruption and misconduct in EBRD-financed projects. Anyone, both within or outside the Bank, who suspects fraud or corruption should submit a written report to the Chief Compliance Officer by email to compliance@ebrd.com. All matters reported will be handled by OCCO for follow-up. All reports, including anonymous ones, will be reviewed. Reports can be made in any language of the Bank or of the Bank's countries of operation. The information provided must be made in good faith.
Access to Information Policy (AIP)
The AIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations following its entry into force on 1 January 2020. Please visit the Access to Information Policy page to find out what information is available from the EBRD website.
Specific requests for information can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.
Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)
If efforts to address environmental, social or public disclosure concerns with the Client or the Bank are unsuccessful (e.g. through the Client’s Project-level grievance mechanism or through direct engagement with Bank management), individuals and organisations may seek to address their concerns through the EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).
IPAM independently reviews Project issues that are believed to have caused (or to be likely to cause) harm. The purpose of the Mechanism is: to support dialogue between Project stakeholders to resolve environmental, social and public disclosure issues; to determine whether the Bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy or Project-specific provisions of its Access to Information Policy; and where applicable, to address any existing non-compliance with these policies, while preventing future non-compliance by the Bank.
Please visit the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism webpage to find out more about IPAM and its mandate; how to submit a Request for review; or contact IPAM via email ipam@ebrd.com to get guidance and more information on IPAM and how to submit a request.
