OCBC Bank has, on Sept 24, launched a sustainability-linked structured deposit, the first of its kind in Singapore.
A structured deposit is a financial instrument that combines a deposit with an investment product. The sum placed by customers will be invested in notes, bonds or other fixed income securities issued by companies that meet the bank’s ESG criteria.
For a minimum investment amount of $5,000, retail investors can now invest into the six-year callable structured deposit.
The deposit pays a fixed interest rate of 1.2% per annum for the first three years and 1.25% per annum for the following three years.
The principal on the structured deposit is fully protected if held to maturity.
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Customers who are keen to invest can do so using cash or their Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) funds.
According to OCBC, global studies have estimated that there is a US$2.5 trillion ($3.38 trillion) gap in sustainable financing each year. The number is said to be around US$160 billion in Southeast Asia.
“There is a lot more that banks can do to drive sustainability and we are looking at more ways to provide and promote to our clients solutions and investment products relating to sustainability. This structured deposit gives our customers a chance to invest in a meaningful product and signal their desire to contribute to a more sustainable world,” says Kenneth Lai, head of global treasury at OCBC Bank.
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As at 12.40pm, shares in OCBC are trading 3 cents higher or 0.26% up at $11.48.
Photo: Bloomberg
