FT Sustainable Banking Awards Shortlists Announced

The Financial Times and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, have announced the shortlists for the 2008 FT Sustainable Banking Awards, the leading global awards for triple bottom line banking.

The judging panel, which includes leading figures involved in sustainable finance and development, has agreed on a shortlist of institutions for each category of award. The winner of the Emerging Markets award will be chosen from the winners of the four regional sub-categories.

The Sustainable Bank of the Year Award recognises the bank that has shown excellence in creating environmental, social and financial value across its operations.

Shortlist: Banco Real, Brazil, Citi, US, HSBC, UK, Rabobank, Netherlands, Standard Chartered, UK

The Emerging Markets Sustainable Bank of the Year Award recognises the emerging bank that has shown excellence in creating environmental, social and financial value across its operations. There are also prizes for Regional Leadership: covering Latin America; Asia; Africa/Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Shortlists:

Africa/Middle East: Access Bank, Nigeria, First National Bank, South Africa, Nedbank, South Africa

Asia: ABN AMRO India, Industrial Bank, China, YES Bank, India

Eastern Europe: Industrial Development Bank of Turkey (TSKB), MDM Bank, Russia, Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria)

Latin America: Banco Bradesco, Brazil, Banco Real, Brazil, HSBC (Latin America)

The Sustainable Deal of the Year Award recognises the financial institution that has, during 2007, completed a transaction with outstanding social, environmental and financial impact, innovation and potential for replicability.

Shortlist: BlueOrchard Finance, Switzerland/Morgan Stanley, US (microfinance loans), Calyon, France (solar thermal power plants), Citi, US (financing for rural housing), Glitnir Bank, Iceland (geothermal power generation), Merrill Lynch, US (carbon finance to reduce deforestation)

The Banking at the Bottom of the Pyramid Award recognises ground-breaking financial transactions and initiatives that address the Bottom or Base of the Pyramid (BOP), a market of more than 4 billion people who live on less than US$2 a day. This award highlights the development and delivery or innovative, viable and replicable financial products and services that engage and empower the poor.

Shortlist: ASA, Bangladesh, Banco Bradesco, Brazil, ICICI Group, India, Opportunity International UK, Wizzit, South Africa

The Sustainable Investor of the Year Award highlights ground-breaking achievement in the area of sustainable investment, recognising specific investments, or overall investment programmes with outstanding triple bottom-line results.

Shortlist: Aavishkaar India Micro Venture Capital Fund, Calvert Foundation, UK, E+Co, US, F&C Management Ltd, UK, SAM Sustainable Asset Management, Switzerland

Valere Tjolle