National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) evolved its labelled-bond issuance to include sustainability format in its recent deal. The transaction covers a social and affordable housing project in Melbourne which adds environmental outcomes to the social benefit derived from social housing. Further funding evolution is on the immediate horizon for the issuer.

On 25 May, National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) (AAA by S&P) revealed plans for a potential 15-year, Australian dollar denominated, benchmark, sustainability bond. ANZ, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Deutsche Bank, UBS and Westpac Institutional Bank have been mandated to arrange a group investor call on 26 May.

Key data and information on 15 high-grade lenders active in Australia and New Zealand, including programme information, funding strategy, debt data and issuer insights. 

COVID-19 has spurred record volume of social-bond issuance and some sustainable-finance experts believe the crisis will be the catalyst for much more widespread adoption of the instrument. Despite the best efforts of advocates, however, the hurdles to habitual use of social bonds, especially in the private sector, remain high.

Growing subscription from community housing providers (CHPs) to National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC)’s programme led to the agency’s largest social bond to date.