The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD) has raised EUR 21,386,000 from Italian retail investors through a 5-year fixed-rate callable Sustainable Development Bond due March 31, 2031. UniCredit Bank GmbH acted as the dealer for the bond issuance. The proceeds will support eligible sustainable development activities in developing countries, aiming to generate positive social and environmental impacts while advancing job creation and inclusive growth.
Jorge Familiar, Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank Group, emphasized the importance of retail investors in mobilizing private capital for development projects that improve livelihoods and create employment opportunities across member countries. The bond offering in Italy ran from March 2 to March 24, 2026, with a minimum annual gross fixed coupon of 1.95% and a minimum investment threshold of EUR 1,000.
The bonds will be listed and traded on the Mercato Telematico delle Obbligazioni (MOT), EuroMOT segment, organized by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. The World Bank, rated Aaa/AAA, is an international organization owned by 189 countries. Since its creation in 1944, it has provided loans, guarantees, advisory services, and risk management products to middle-income and creditworthy countries to reduce poverty, promote shared prosperity, and address global development challenges.
World Bank bonds, including Sustainable Development Bonds, follow the Sustainability Bond Guidelines of the International Capital Market Association. These bonds allow investors to link financial returns with measurable development impacts, and the World Bank publishes impact reports to track outcomes and raise awareness of specific development challenges.
UniCredit, acting as the bond dealer, is a leading pan-European commercial bank serving over 20 million clients across Italy, Germany, Austria, and Central and Eastern Europe. Its integrated model combines local proximity, client expertise, and ESG-focused solutions to deliver sustainable long-term value.
The bond proceeds are not earmarked for specific World Bank projects or programs, and payments on the bonds are not funded by any particular World Bank project. All offerings are subject to local regulations and the relevant offering documentation prepared by the World Bank.
