A $20 million IDB loan to back leading Honduran commercial bank in growing its environmentally sustainable credit portfolio
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) today announced the approval of a $30 million green line facility for Banco Atlántida of Honduras to support its loans to environmentally sustainable projects. The medium-term financing facility consists of a $20 million senior A loan from the IDB and a senior B loan to be syndicated by the IDB, targeted at $10 million.
Banco Atlántida is in the process of developing a “green” portfolio of loans directed at small and medium-size corporate borrowers that will cover a number of eligible sectors, including renewable energies, energy efficiency and biofuels, among others.
“The IDB looks forward to enhancing its support to Honduras through this new green line as we advance in our efforts to serve key economic sectors for our development strategy,” said Daniela Carrera-Marquis, Chief of the IDB’s Financial Markets Division. “In addition to generating important environmental benefits, this investment will increase the availability of much needed medium- and long-term funding for local small and mid-size corporates, key drivers of employment generation in Honduras.”
The growth of a long-term sustainable lending portfolio in Banco Atlántida will contribute to the marketability of a business line that can scale up sustainable investments while demonstrating its environmental and commercial attractiveness. “Financial institutions can be important agents of positive change due to their ability to identify and leverage new sustainable initiatives,” said IDB project team leader Gema Pérez.
As part of the financing, the IDB will support Banco Atlántida in the development of green line eligibility criteria to determine the process for identifying, selecting, and monitoring green projects.
“We are pleased to partner with the IDB and work together to achieve a positive impact in the Honduran competitive environment, promoting a more sustainable economy and investments with a strong economic base,” said Banco Atlántida Executive President Guillermo Bueso Anduray.
About Banco Atlántida
Banco Atlántida is the oldest and largest bank in Honduras, with presence in its 18 departments through a network of more than 180 branches and service centers.
About IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank is the principal source of long-term financing for economic and social development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its Structured and Corporate Finance Department is responsible for projects without sovereign guaranties that include loans and partial credit guaranties for clients in both the private and public sectors.
Its green line facilities reflect a key priority of beyondBanking, an IDB program that promotes sustainable banking principles and practices in Latin America and the Caribbean. The program’s planetBanking projects seek to help financial institutions reduce their direct and indirect environmental footprints.