ANA HOLDINGS Announces to Issue Social Bond
· Funds raised will be used to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
· Seven-year bond totaling five billion yen will be issued in May 2019.
TOKYO, April 17, 2019 — ANA HOLDINGS INC. (hereinafter "ANA HD") is issuing a social bond, backing the company’s values through a financial method designed to incentivize social development. Bond valuing five billion yen will be supported by SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. as a social bond structuring agent, and Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. The bond is planned to be issued in May 2019, subject to market conditions, and is scheduled to mature in seven years.
This is not the first time that ANA HD has issued bonds influenced by the company’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility (CSR). In October 2018, ANA HD became the first airline in the world to issue “green bond” that raised funds for sustainability initiatives. ANA HD is again at the cutting edge of CSR with its forthcoming social bond, as it will become the first social bond issuer as a non-financial company in Japan.
“Our social bond represents more than just an excellent investment opportunity,” said Ichiro Fukuzawa, CFO of ANA HOLDINGS INC. “They offer investors a chance to have a meaningful impact on the world around them while still turning a profit. ANA HD is always looking for new ways to embody its corporate values, so it should come as little surprise that we place just as much of an emphasis on financing as we do on innovation in airline services.”
ANA HD’s social bonds can be traced back to this past February when the ANA Group announced its FY2018-2022 Mid-Term Corporate Strategy. This describes how the group plans to achieve sustainable growth and create value by focusing on environmental, social and governance management. ANA HD identified the Environment, Human Rights, Diversity and Inclusion, and Regional Revitalization as its four main pillars and has incorporated them into its corporate strategy.
The goal of this strategy is to enhance ANA Group by creating both social and economic value. With the increased importance of environmental, social and governance-related initiatives, ANA HD is actively finding ways to contribute to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Funds raised through the social bond will be used to simplify air travel while increasing accessibility and sustainability. This includes efforts to update ANA’s website to meet global W3C accessibility guidelines as well as improvements to domestic airports. Airports will be upgraded to boost efficiency and improve accessibility for passengers with disabilities as part of efforts to meet the goals outlined by SDG 11. The proceeds of the social bonds will be also used for similar changes which will be made to ANA office areas to help the company contribute to the achievement of SDG 10.
Social bond is an effective tool for those seeking to raise funds to boost sustainability and livability. ANA HD is proud to be at the forefront of these initiatives and will always seek opportunities to live up to its stated values by improving the world around us.
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