News
CEB celebrates historic sterling social inclusion bond listing on the London Stock Exchange
18 February 2025
London – The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) celebrated a landmark moment at today’s Market Close ceremony, the listing of the CEB’s inaugural £300m 3-year social inclusion benchmark bond (SIB). This SIB is the first sterling denominated SSA* social bond to list on the LSE.
CEB Governor Carlo Monticelli attended the Market Close ceremony, which was preceded by a high-level roundtable discussion with key UK stakeholders and leaders from the investment community.
“The historic sterling issuance supports the CEB’s mission of enhancing social investment opportunities for the most vulnerable, thanks to the increasing interest of socially responsible investors. We are delighted to be partnering with the London Stock Exchange in this important endeavour,” said Governor Monticelli.
Dame Julia Hoggett DBE, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, added: “Congratulations to CEB on the admission of their £300m 3-year social inclusion benchmark bond on the London Stock Exchange’s Sustainable Bond Market. This landmark transaction demonstrates the importance of our bond market as a catalyst for social investment and we are delighted to be able to support CEB’s commitment to socially responsible projects.”
Since 2017, through its trademark SIBs the CEB has financed education projects where almost 3.7 million students have had access to better facilities and thanks to lending to micro-small and medium enterprises (MSME) roughly 1.4 million people have been able to maintain their jobs. Almost 365 000 people are living in the social housing dwellings financed by the CEB and close to 1,900 healthcare establishments provide access to quality treatment.
Initially limited to EUR only, since 2020 the CEB has expanded its issuance to multiple currencies. As the seventh SIB currency, the sterling transaction highlights the CEB’s commitment to fostering a diverse and resilient social bond market, responding flexibly to a growing request for socially responsible investments.
*SSA = Sovereign, supranational, and agency
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is a multilateral development bank, whose unique mission is to promote social cohesion in its 43 member states across Europe. The CEB finances investment in social sectors, including education, health and affordable housing, with a focus on the needs of vulnerable people. Borrowers include governments, local and regional authorities, public and private banks, non-profit organisations and others. As a multilateral bank with an excellent credit rating, the CEB funds itself on the international capital markets. It approves projects according to strict social, environmental and governance criteria, and provides technical assistance. In addition, the CEB receives funds from donors to complement its activities.