Credit: LuxSE

The Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) marked today the listing of the first social bond issued under the European Union (EU) SURE programme, in the presence of the European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, and Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.

The EU established SURE (Support to mitigate Unemployment Risk in an Emergency) earlier this year to help protect jobs and workers across Europe, which have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The social bond will be displayed on the Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX). 

Robert Scharfe, CEO of LuxSE, commented: “We are extremely proud to celebrate the listing of the SURE social bond on our exchange and its display on LGX, our platform dedicated exclusively to sustainable securities. This bond raises funds to secure hundreds of thousands of jobs in multiple Member States. Contributing to inclusive and sustainable growth is at the core of LGX’s mission and today’s bond listing marks an important milestone not just for Europe, but for sustainable finance".

The €17 billion social bond issuance is the very first social bond issued by the European Commission. It consists of two tranches: a €10 billion tranche with a ten-year maturity and a €7 billion tranche with a 20-year maturity. The bond was thirteen times oversubscribed, with demands exceeding €233 billion, which reflects the enormous support from the investor community for a social bond that is expected to safeguard jobs and fight rising unemployment in European countries stemming from the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic crisis.

Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, added: “Today’s listing at the Luxembourg Stock Exchange is another highlight of a process which started months ago with our dedicated work to establish SURE. This instrument enables quick financial support for social matters, especially in the area of employment which is heavily affected by the crisis. The issuance of social bonds demonstrates the EU’s firm commitment to foster sustainable finance also at global level. Last week’s successful launch is proof that investors appreciate not only the safety guaranteed by the EU, but also the quality of investments, aligned with the EU’s strategic political priorities such as sustainability, social fairness and an environmental-friendly economy".

Earlier this month, the European Commission established a Social Bond Framework aligned with the International Capital Market Association’s Social Bond Principles. The Social Bond Framework received a favourable second-party opinion by Sustainalytics. Issued under the EU Debt Issuance Programme, the social bond issuance is governed by Luxembourg law.

The EU SURE programme has a mandate of borrowing up to €100 billion on capital markets to support efforts to protect jobs and fight unemployment across Europe. So far, seventeen Member States will receive financial support totalling €87.8 billion under the programme to protect jobs and workers in their respective countries. Under the Social Bond Framework, the Member States will report on the allocation of the funds and on the concrete impact in terms of the number of jobs supported.