Dear clients,
As we enter the last quarter of 2021 and I reflect on the year, I am excited for the final quarter. Whilst an uneven progress of vaccinations is not only contributing to the divergence of growth paths in Asia – where I am based – and around the world, we are on positive trajectory. Challenges remain, but many more can now see friends and family, and of course also clients.
When I look at what we have accomplished in partnership with our clients – those very people we have not been able to interact with face to face for almost two years now – I am delighted. I am delighted about the progress we have made in accelerating the path to net zero, and the role finance and investments have played in this endeavour; I am delighted to see India, the Middle East and North Africa at the forefront of renewable energy development and am impressed by how companies, development banks, multilaterals and export agencies have come together to attract private capital; and I am delighted about the product innovation across a number of areas, for example the structuring of sustainability-linked loans that will support decarbonisation efforts in the maritime industry.
In this second edition of Bankable Insights for Credit Markets we are celebrating this continuous progress. We have collated a number of articles, videos and client case studies that speak to the tremendous effort that has gone and is going into channelling capital to where it matters most. These stories, this positive momentum brings a certain spring back into my step because they are testament to how much can be accomplished when we put our minds and hearts into it.
Crises tend to give rise to remarkable innovations. One of these has been the acceleration of ESG since the pandemic started. This will continue for years to come. A big thank you to all of you who have partnered with us to make a difference and continue to inspire us to do better.
Henrik Raber Global Head Credit Markets, Standard Chartered
