Ameriabank gets certificate of appreciation for ESMS implementation

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ameriabank CJSC, with the support of the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO), and DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, successfully completed the introduction and implementation of an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS). It is one of the first banks in the region to have developed and implemented an ESMS.

As a result of this, FMO and DEG grant Ameriabank a certificate of appreciation, as well as a reduction in the interest rate of the facility signed between FMO, DEG and Ameriabank in December 2009. The facility is a long-term USD 30mln loan (out of which USD 20mln is for small and medium enterprise financing and USD10mln for renewable energy financing), equally shared between FMO and DEG, and represents FMO’s first financing in Armenia.

By implementing the ESMS, Ameriabank commits to comply with local and international environmental and social regulations and worldwide best practices applicable to its operations and business services.

April 2010, Ameriabank started exploring the principles of environmental and social risk management: the development of an internal ESMS policy, procedures and tools, training of staff and the realization of a pilot running of the System. By July 2010, Ameriabank had adopted and integrated environmental and social risk management in all ongoing corporate lending/finance operations. Ameriabank was supported by the international consultant FI Konsult s.r.o (Czech Republic) and FMO’s Capacity Development (CD) Program.

“Ameriabank regards sustainable development as a fundamental aspect of sound business management. The bank’s objective is to responsibly manage the environmental and social risks associated with its operations in order to minimize impacts on the environment and our stakeholders, and to enhance long term returns to our shareholders. The purpose of the bank’s Environmental and Social Risk Management Policy is to create a framework and culture for understanding and managing our direct and indirect environmental and social impacts, risks and opportunities,” said Artak Hanesyan, Director General of Ameriabank.

Jurgen Rigterink, Chief Investment Officer of FMO stated, for his part, “This is the first time a margin reduction as incentive scheme has been implemented by FMO, together with our partner institution DEG. It will bring about improved management of Environmental and Social Risks to world class standards, by fully integrating this in the daily Risk Management of the bank. Ameriabank has shown exemplary commitment in bringing about this change so soon after signing the Loan Agreement with DEG and FMO. Our institutions are committed to adding value to our clients through Sustainability Development, as demonstrated by both the ESMS and the Renewable Energy component to this loan. A true ‘example transaction’ that will change the way we, and our partners, approach E&S.”