BRD Groupe Societe Generale and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, have closed a landmark synthetic significant risk transfer (SRT) transaction that will free up capital for BRD to boost the financing of impactful sustainability-related projects in Romania. Under the transaction, IFC will provide a risk guarantee on an up to €700 million BRD portfolio of small and medium enterprise (SME) and corporate loans. Capital freed up by the SRT will enable the bank to lend up to €315 million to fund climate-related initiatives and women-owned smaller businesses. SRTs are a widely used capital management tool for banks. IFC has played a key role in their introduction in emerging markets, including Central and Eastern Europe. Capital resources freed up by such transactions can be reallocated toward financing projects with strong developmental impact. “BRD is committed to building a sustainable economy in Romania and environmental, social and governance commitments are at the heart of our strategy. We have demonstrated this in recent years by delivering growing momentum in positive impact finance. We are delighted to partner with IFC on this new agreement, which will enable us to accelerate our expansion in this important area,” said Maria Rousseva, Chief Executive Officer of BRD Groupe Societe Generale. This transaction is part of the agreement signed in early 2024 between Societe Generale group and IFC to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions to accelerate their support for sustainable finance projects. While Societe Generale group is already a user of SRTs redeploying capital to sustainability-related lending, this is a first time that BRD resorts to such an instrument. Makhtar Diop, IFC’s Managing Director, said: “This transaction marks an important milestone in our longstanding partnership with Societe Generale, showcasing our shared commitment to developing innovative financing solutions. With this SRT—a first for both IFC and BRD in Romania—we are investing in the country’s future to accelerate sustainable and inclusive economic growth.” The SRT is one of two key IFC deals aimed at catalyzing Romania’s green transition, boosting financial inclusion, and driving sustainable growth, announced during Diop’s first visit to the country this week. BRD has a successful track record in sustainable finance, including investing more than €800 million in sustainable financing over the last three years, and organizing two climate change summits in Romania.
Around 100 specialists will work around the clock, in three shifts, at the 1 Mai – Băneasa subway tunnel section, part of the line extending to Otopeni Airport, according to secretary-general of the Ministry of Transport, Mariana Ioniță. The first TBM machine, which will begin drilling the tunnel, is set to arrive on Monday, March […]
A new report from the Romanian branch of NGO Justice and Care shows that the scale of the child trafficking phenomenon is underestimated by the authorities and that sexual exploitation, particularly of girls, remains the primary form of trafficking. The study, based on field research and interviews with specialists from three counties, namely Dolj, Bacău, […]
The Romanian Embassy in Pakistan has opened an honorary consulate in Peshawar, covering the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. The country is a major source of workers, essential in filling Romania’s labor shortage. Dan Stoenescu, Romania's Ambassador to Pakistan, inaugurated the Honorary Consulate in a special ceremony attended by government officials, business leaders, and members of the […]
EVERGENT Investments, an investment company listed under the ticker EVER, reports a net result of RON 263.66 million for the year 2024, representing a 29% year-over-year increase, surpassing the budgeted level by 175%. The net result is the company’s main performance indicator and consists of net profit and net gains from the sale of financial […]
Sameday, one of the key players in the courier industry, acquired the 24.9% stake held by eMAG in local IT firm Zitec, entering the company's shareholding structure. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. "Changes in the logistics and courier sectors require rapid adaptations and technological solutions to address the challenges. The growing demand for […]
Nexus, an 8-month silver British shorthair with blue eyes, was crowned Europe’s most beautiful tomcat at the European Feline Championship 2025, an event held in Warsaw, Poland. The tomcat, by his full name Nexus of Winter Foxes, is owned by Oana Pintilii and Alexandru Paraschiv, breeders who have dedicated seven years to this passion. Nexus’s […]
