Press Release

BRAC EPL Investments Wins Prestigious Environmental Finance Sustainable Investment Award 2026 for Arranging Bangladesh’s First Social Bond

BRAC EPL Investments Limited has received the “Sustainable Investment Initiative of the Year (Fixed Income)” award by Environmental Finance, a globally recognized authority in sustainable finance, honouring institutions and transactions that demonstrate innovation, leadership, and measurable impact in advancing responsible investment worldwide.

The award acknowledges BRAC EPL Investments' role as Lead Arranger in structuring Bangladesh’s first ICMA-aligned Social Bond, a pioneering transaction in the country’s sustainable debt market. The initiative was recognized for its alignment with global standards and its contribution to achieving eight Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), SDG 8 (Decent Work & economic growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities).

Issued by BRAC Bank PLC, Bangladesh's first Social Bond introduces an innovative fixed-income instrument, with proceeds allocated to employment generation and CMSME financing, socio-economic advancement and empowerment, food security, affordable housing, and access to essential services and public health infrastructure

BRAC EPL Investments conducted extensive investor awareness campaigns leading to the subscription of the BDT 1,000 crore bond by 665 investors, creating access to the instrument for individual investors while addressing demand-side constraints in the country’s bond market. The bond will be listed in the DSE-ATB, ensuring liquidity for existing investors and enabling wider participation through the secondary market.

"Receiving the Environmental Finance's Sustainable Investment Award 2026, is a validation to our Mission to act as an intervention in the Bangladesh Capital Market. It reflects our Vision to provide innovative, pioneering and world-class sustainable investment banking solutions. We believe this milestone will encourage greater participation from Issuers, Investors, and other stakeholders in building a vibrant impact investment ecosystem for Bangladesh and direct further capital towards initiatives that generate positive social and environmental impact " said Syed Rashed Hussain, CEO of BRAC EPL Investments Limited.