Liberty takes up the ESG baton with B Corp accreditation
B Corp certification assesses the overall positive impact of a company. Liberty Financial (Liberty) attained the accreditation on 3 March. James Boyle, the company’s Melbourne-based chief executive, talks to KangaNews about how it fits into corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.
Investa reaps the benefits of being a green frontrunner
Investa Property Group’s green-debt strategy has matured, bringing realised cost benefits, the A$500 million (US$330 million) milestone in green loans and the prospect of all future bank-debt refinancing coming in green format. The company’s Sydney-based general manager, corporate sustainability, Nina James, and head of corporate planning and treasury, Lisa Story, discuss the merits of the strategy and its execution.
Read more: Investa reaps the benefits of being a green frontrunner
Credit market in wait-and-see mode on COVID-19
The Australian market, along with the rest of the world, has paused to take stock of the escalating COVID-19 outbreak. As of 3 March – and in the wake of a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rate cut – credit market participants say it is too early to draw firm conclusions about the long-term effect but they have a degree of confidence that the Australian dollar market can stabilise.
SAFA adds flexibility to its funding plans as threats to liquidity loom
The South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA) is responding to increased volatility by taking a nimbler approach to its funding task. Being open to opportunities is prudent in the current environment, the issuer states.
Columbus delivers RMBS right on time
Columbus Capital proceeded with the pricing of its latest residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) deal on 28 February, just as the COVID-19 outbreak worsened. Deal sources say the timing was actually fortuitous for the issuer.