São Paulo, January 28, 2015 — IFC,
a member of the World Bank Group, is providing a $400 million financing
package for Banco Itaú Unibanco, one of the largest banks in Brazil, to
support projects that will help mitigate the effects of climate change.
With IFC’s support, Itaú will finance renewable energy, water treatment,
and energy efficiency projects, along with other initiatives that help
to reduce greenhouse gases.
The financing includes a five-year $100
million loan for IFC’s own account and a three-year $300 million syndicated
loan. The syndicated lenders are Bank of America, Commerzbank, and Mizuho
Bank, each with a $100 million participation.
Access to reliable and affordable energy
from diversified sources, including renewable energy, is critical to securing
Brazil’s long-term competitiveness and sustainable economic growth, and
thus a key development priority for IFC. Brazil has a large untapped renewable
energy potential comprising wind, small hydro and biomass resources. Installed
capacity of renewable energy is expected to increase by 10 percent through
2021 to meet the rising demand for power and reach Brazil’s goal of increasing
the share of renewable sources in the country’s energy mix.
“This financing is aligned with Itaú
Unibanco’s goal to promote improved quality in the country’s energy matrix,”
said Candido Bracher, Itaú BBA CEO.
“IFC is pleased to partner once again
with Itaú to finance projects that help promote Brazil’s sustainable development”
said Hector Gomez Ang, IFC Brazil Country Manager. “Private sector plays
a critical role in expanding access to climate change mitigation solutions.
Itaú, with its ability to multiply the reach of IFC’s investments, is
an important partner to foster sustainability in Brazil.”
Since 2005, IFC has invested $1.7 billion
in climate-related projects in Brazil. IFC’s global renewable energy strategy
focuses on investing in technology and new business models to reduce the
cost of renewables, helping to mak them more widely and increasing access
to energy in emerging markets. Globally, since 2005, IFC has provided about
$11 billion in long-term financing for renewable power, energy efficiency,
sustainable agriculture, green buildings and private sector adaptation
to climate change. IFC has co-financed more than 2,600 megawatts of wind
power and more than 800 megawatts of solar power in emerging markets. In
FY14, IFC’s global climate investments were $2.5 billion, including 117
projects in 35 countries.
About Itaú Unibanco
Itaú Unibanco is the largest privately
owned bank in Latin America. Its vision is "to be the leading bank
in sustainable performance and customer satisfaction". To accomplish
this, it has established a set of 10 corporate culture attitudes to guide
its teams. Itaú Unibanco’s main operations are: commercial banking (insurance,
pension plan and capitalization products, credit cards, asset management,
credit products and services for individuals and small companies); wholesale
banking (Itaú BBA - corporate and investment banking - and middle-market
companies); and consumer credit (financial products and services to non-account
holders). Its operations are mainly in Brazil, but its international presence
enables it to provide high-quality service to local clients and Brazilians
abroad. It is present in 19 countries outside of Brazil. Itaú Unibanco
is listed on the BM&FBovespa, Buenos Aires and New York stock exchanges
(ITUB). For more information, please visit our website: www.itau.com.br
or www.itau.com.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group,
is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the
private sector. Working with private enterprises in about 100 countries,
we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme
poverty and boost shared prosperity. In FY14, we provided more than $22
billion in financing to improve lives in developing countries and tackle
the most urgent challenges of development. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
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