Washington, DC, September 17, 2007 – The World Bank today announced its partnership with ABN AMRO to sell “World Bank Eco 3+ bonds” exclusively through ABN AMRO’s branch network in The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Starting today, investors will be able to purchase from ABN AMRO World Bank EUR denominated six-year notes. The total amount of the notes will be determined by demand on the closing date of the subscription period (October 26, 2007). The notes pay a floating rate annual coupon of at least 3% per year. The coupon is linked to an equity index, the ABN AMRO Eco Price Return Index, comprised of companies that produce alternative forms of energy, engage in water and waste management, or are involved in the production of catalysts used to reduce pollution.
The notes are the World Bank’s first public offering linked to such an environmentally-focused equity index. This offering is part of the World Bank's efforts to provide regionally focused investment products that combine financial and social returns especially important to investors with ethical or social investment strategies. The issue seeks to appeal to investors in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg who are interested in contributing through their investment to the World Bank’s sustainable development mandate, and indirectly supporting companies in the equity index.
"September is Eco-Sustainability Month in The Netherlands. We’re pleased to partner with ABN AMRO to bring to market a product that will both help fund the development activities of the World Bank, and indirectly support the financing needs of the companies in the index. Investors will find with the Eco-3Plus notes a product that has a sound return, and at the same time addresses pressing global issues, such as the environment, through its link to the equity index," said Kenneth G. Lay, Vice President and Treasurer, World Bank.
"We believe we can make a significant contribution to sustainability by providing responsible financial services and offering sustainable products," said Jean Paul van Oudheusden, Head of ABN AMRO Markets in The Netherlands. "As a bank, we make the biggest contribution to sustainable development by choosing our business partners responsibly and taking social, environmental and ethical factors into consideration when providing financial services. The partnership with the World Bank fulfils all these conditions."
Issuer: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
Rating: AAA/Aaa
Settlement date: November 1, 2007
Maturity Date: November 8, 2013
Issue price: *to be determined on October 26, 2007
Redemption: 100%
Coupon: 3% minimum, plus a possible additional amount based on the monthly performance of the ABN AMRO Eco Price Return Index as calculated by a formula described in the terms and conditions of the note (the coupon is subject to a maximum)
Denomination: EUR 100 and integral multiples thereof
Listing: Euronext Amsterdam
Clearing systems: Euroclear Nederland, Euroclear Bank and Clearstream Banking
ISIN / Common Code / Fondscode: NL0000694321 / 31477590 / 69432
Sole Lead Manager: ABN AMRO
*The new total outstanding principal amount is EUR 230 million.
“Socially responsible investing” (SRI) or “ethical investing” describes an investing approach that is becoming increasingly popular, especially among retail investors. It integrates social and environmental concerns into investment decisions. More information is available at: https://www.socialinvest.org and https://www.uksif.org.
For more information on ABN AMRO’s commitment to sustainable development and on the ABN AMRO Eco Price Return Index, please visit https://www.abnamro.com/com/about/sd/sd.jsp. On Bloomberg, the ABN AMRO Eco Price Return Index is available at ABNZESEP Index.
For more information on the World Bank and World Bank debt securities, please visit https://www.worldbank.org and https://www.worldbank.org/debtsecurities.
This press release is not an offer for sale of Notes of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ("IBRD"), also known in the capital markets as “World Bank”. Any offering of the Notes will be made only by means of a prospectus containing detailed information that will made available through ABN AMRO, the sole underwriter of the notes, and is subject to restrictions under the laws of several countries. Securities may not be offered or sold except in compliance with all such laws. The World Bank makes no representation, warranty or assurance of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the Index, any data included therein, any data from which it is based, or any services provided by ABN AMRO, Standard & Poor’s or Vigeo in connection with the index.
