Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. ("The Company", President & Group CEO: Yasuhiro Sato) has decided to issue its first Green Bond on October 10, 2017.
The Green Bond is a bond in which its proceeds are used solely for the purpose of providing finance for environment–friendly projects ("Green Projects") such as those concerning renewable energy, etc. The Company will lend the raised funds to Mizuho Bank, Ltd. (President & CEO: Koji Fujiwara), a wholly–owned subsidiary of the Company, and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. will provide financing for Green Projects.
Under the current environment where the concept of responsible investment that focuses on companies' initiatives for ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) is globally spreading, this issuance will respond especially to the needs of investors highly interested in environmental fields.
Also, the Company's Green Bond will be issued and managed based on its formulated framework, which is in line with the Green Bond Principles 2017 published by the International Capital Market Association and the Green Bond Guideline 2017 published by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.
Mizuho will continue to position its CSR initiatives as a pillar of its corporate conduct, strive to realize management with consideration to value creation for various stakeholders and further contribute to the sustainable development of society through its financial activities.
| Issuer | Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. |
| Issue Amount | EUR 500 million |
| Issue Date | October 16, 2017 (Pricing Date: October 10, 2017) |
| Maturity | 7 years |
| Interest Rate | 0.956% |
| Use of Proceeds | To be used to make a loan to Mizuho Bank, and Mizuho Bank will use the proceeds from such loan to finance Green Projects |
This press release has been prepared for the sole purpose of publicly announcing the Company's issuance of the Notes, and not for the purpose of soliciting investment or engaging in any other similar activities within or outside Japan. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Financial Instruments Exchange Act of Japan, the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any other applicable securities laws. The Notes may not be offered or sold in Japan, the United States, to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) or in any other jurisdictions where registration is required for the offering of the Notes absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Financial Instruments Exchange Act of Japan, the U.S. Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws. The Notes will not be publicly offered or sold in Japan or the United States.