World Bank Prices GBP 1.75 billion 10-year Bond for Sustainable Development with Impressive Demand

The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, Aaa/AAA) priced a 10-year GBP global benchmark bond, raising GBP 1.75 billion from investors around the globe to support the financing of its sustainable development activities.  This is the World Bank’s second GBP global bond of 2020, following its GBP 1.5 billion 7-year global bond issued in January.

The transaction represents the largest-ever GBP bond by a supranational.  The high-quality order book exceeded GBP 2.8 billion and attracted over 100 investors. The bond offers an annual coupon of 1.000% and a semi-annual yield of 0.999%. It was priced at 36 basis points over the 0.0875% UK Gilt due October 2029. Barclays, J.P. Morgan, and TD Securities were joint lead managers for this transaction.  The bond will be listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange.

Jingdong Hua, Vice President and Treasurer, World Bank said, “We were struck by the extraordinary demand from investors for this ten-year offering and appreciate their vote of confidence in the World Bank to support our biggest ever bond in British pounds. These funds help us finance important projects and programs that deliver sustainable development in our member countries.”

Investor Distribution:

Joint Lead Manager Quotes

“The World Bank has demonstrated once again why it belongs to the top echelon of supranational, sovereign and agency (SSA) issuers, coming to market with its first-ever 10-year GBP-denominated benchmark and the first new 10-year GBP line since 2016 – and it was an extraordinary result! The World Bank came to the market not only with this milestone transaction in the issuer’s history, but at the same time with the largest-ever sterling benchmark by an SSA for a non-UK issuer. It was an honor that Barclays was able to be a part of this historic project for the World Bank,” said Lee Cumbes, Head of Public Sector EMEA, Barclays.

“A stellar sterling transaction from the World Bank. Today, they became the first SSA issuer to bring to market a 10-year issuance in this currency since 2016. Through tapping into strong demand for this undersupplied tenor, and timing their transaction perfectly, they were able to issue the largest ever 10-year SSA GBP deal. J.P. Morgan were privileged to be involved,” said Keith Price, Managing Director, Head of Frequent Borrowers Group, J.P. Morgan.

“We congratulate the World Bank team on their largest ever bond issue in the sterling market. The World Bank was rewarded with valuable investor diversification by issuing in this part of the yield curve. This new bond will serve as an important liquid reference point for buyers of World Bank denominated bonds in GBP, as well as for the broader SSA market,” said Mark Byrne, Director, Head of European Syndicate, TD Securities.

Transaction Summary:

With annual issuances between US$50-US$60 billion, World Bank bonds support the financing of programs that support the Sustainable Development Goals. World Bank bonds are aligned with the sustainability bond guidelines published by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA). The World Bank is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Green Bond and Social Bond Principles. A key priority for the World Bank’s capital markets’ engagement is building strategic partnerships with investors to promote the importance of private sector financing in sustainable development.

Disclaimers

This press release is not an offer for sale of securities of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“IBRD”), also known in the capital markets as “World Bank”. Any offering of World Bank securities will take place solely on the basis of the relevant offering documentation including, but not limited to, the prospectus, term sheet and/or final terms, as applicable, prepared by the World Bank or on behalf of the World Bank, and is subject to restrictions under the laws of several countries. World Bank securities may not be offered or sold except in compliance with all such laws.