SNCF issues first green charity bond

In a private placement on 3 July 2023, SNCF SA issued a 12-year, fixed-rate green charity bond with a shared coupon.

Shared coupon benefits hospital charity

Under the terms of this transaction—the first of its kind—investors agreed to share a portion of their coupon with the Robert Debré Institut du Cerveau de l’Enfant, part of the Paris Hospital Foundation.

0.01% of proceeds per year

Investors gave up 0.05% of their annual coupon over the life of the bond. The arranging bank also donated to the Institute, contributing one-third of its commission on the transaction, while SNCF SA will donate 0.01% of proceeds from the issue annually.

€2.3m over 12 years

In short, all of the parties to the transaction joined forces to support the Institut du Cerveau de l’Enfant, which will receive nearly €2.3 million over the life of the 12-year bonds. This pioneering transaction combines the environmental benefits of a green bond with the social benefits of a charity bond.

4 investors

The transaction involved 4 investors:

  • Abeilles Assurance (€50M)
  • CNP Assurances (€50M)
  • CDC AM (€50M)
  • Covéa (€150M)