| Creating value for our clients and society | https://www.bil.com/en/bil-group/pressroom/news/Pages/creating-value-for-our-clients-and-society.aspx | Creating value for our clients and society | | <p>Since its foundation in 1856, Banque Internationale à Luxembourg has been supporting the development of the economy, contributing to enhancing the country’s reputation. Collaboration with the local companies and development of the communities in which it operates are central to its sustainable development strategy. As the major challenges facing governments, businesses and individuals are global, BIL and its 2,000 employees are committed to a responsible economic transition and sustainable finance, in line with the Paris Agreements and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.</p>
<p>“<i>We are a Luxembourgish bank, with an international reach. Since its foundation in 1856, BIL has been contributing to Luxembourg’s development, helping its businesses and residents in their endeavours. We engage with our employees to transition towards sustainable and responsible finance, offering products and services that, together with our clients, enable us to have a positive impact and to prepare solid ground for future generations.</i>”, said Marcel Leyers, CEO of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg.</p>
<p>To combine performance at financial, environmental, social and governance levels, Banque Internationale à Luxembourg designed and launched its sustainable development strategy in 2021. This is built around the development of lasting products and services, employer responsibility, and BIL’s impact on the economy and communities in which it is present.</p>
<p><b>Offering responsible products and services</b>
<br>BIL is committed to developing products and services that create value for its clients while contributing to a responsible economic transition and sustainable finance. 2021 brought tangible progress in this respect. Four funds from the BIL Invest Patrimonial range were awarded LuxFLAG ESG certification in September. These funds combine the opportunities provided by financial markets with environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements. Managed by experts, these turnkey diversified funds meet the needs of beginner and expert investors alike. With low minimum investment amounts, they can be accessed on any budget.
<br>BIL also includes environmental consideration in its financing activity. The bank offers solutions – some of which are subsidised by the Luxembourg State – to help clients reduce their environmental impact. These include the renovation of homes and buildings, installation of solar panels, and purchase of hybrid or electric vehicles.</p>
<p><b>Promoting well-being at work</b>
In a constantly changing economic and professional setting, BIL places great emphasis on promoting the well-being of its staff, establishing inclusive working conditions, and encouraging skills development. BIL group has more than 1,800 members of staff in Luxembourg, and over 2,000 when its international subsidiaries are included. 44% are women and 56% men, with 49 nationalities represented. The bank is convinced that diversity is a key factor in performance, promoting an inclusive culture based on shared values. It is a signatory to the Lëtzebuerg Diversity Charter, a national undertaking by organisations committed to promoting and managing diversity. Skills development and ongoing training are also central to its efforts. More than 25,720 hours of training were provided in 2021.</p>
<p><b>Having a positive impact on the world around us</b>
BIL tries to have a positive impact on the communities in which it operates, and is firmly committed to the development of sustainable finance. BIL signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (UN PRBs) in November 2021. Further proof of its commitment, the bank incorporated its sustainable investment approach into its investment portfolio in 2021. As at 31 December 2021, ESG bonds accounted for 10.5% of its portfolio, i.e. a total of EUR 800 million.
<br>In addition to initiatives linked to its banking operations, BIL has introduced measures to reduce its environmental impact. For many years, the bank has been working to reduce its energy use. Waste management is also an important part of its work. BIL follows the waste management approach established by SDK, and has received SuperdrecksKëscht Fir Betriber (SDK) certification.
BIL also backs NGOs in education and healthcare. The bank supports no fewer than 16 organisations through donations and staff volunteering.</p>
<p>To read the 2021 non-financial report, please go to <a href="https://www.bil.com/sustainability/index-en.html" target="_blank">www.bil.com/sustainability</p> | 5/16/2022 11:00:00 AM | | |
| BIL releases its Green Bond Framework | https://www.bil.com/en/bil-group/pressroom/news/Pages/BIL-releases-its-Green-Bond-Framework.aspx | BIL releases its Green Bond Framework | | <p>BIL has implemented its Green Bond Framework with a clear commitment to support the growth of the sustainable finance market. The Bank will now be able to issue green bonds, guaranteeing investors their funds will be used for a sustainable purpose. Case in point, this is the first green bond framework guaranteeing the exclusive financing of energy-efficient real estate in Luxembourg. This will strengthen BIL’s sustainable strategy and have a positive impact on the local economy and communities.</p>
<p>Specifically, BIL will be able to issue public bonds and private placements. The net proceeds will be allocated exclusively to finance or refinance, in full or in part, new or existing loans and investments for existing or future green buildings. To be eligible, these must be located in Luxembourg, and demonstrate specific performances of energy efficiency, as defined in the framework. To design its Green Bond Framework, BIL worked in close collaboration with sustainability experts from the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, home to the Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX), the world’s leading platform dedicated exclusively to sustainable finance and Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, acting as structuring advisor.</p>
<p>Jérôme Nèble, BIL’s Head of Financial Markets said: “<i>BIL’s new Green Bond Framework is a key element of our sustainable strategy. Issuing green bonds will help us have a direct impact on the transition to a low carbon economy. We are looking forward to working with investors and clients to finance energy-efficient building projects.</i>”</p>
<p>The new Green Bond Framework is a key element of BIL’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy. Since the definition and launch of this strategy in 2021, the Bank has made significant progress in developing responsible products and services that create value for its clients while contributing to a responsible economic transition and sustainable finance. Four of the funds of its BIL Invest range received the LuxFLAG ESG label for a period of one year. BIL has also become an official signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking – a single framework for a sustainable banking industry developed through a partnership between banks worldwide and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).</p>
<p>Detailed information on Banque Internationale à Luxembourg Green Bond Framework is available on <a href="/en/bil-group/investor-relations/Pages/Index.aspx" target="_blank">bil.com</a>.</p>
| 5/6/2022 9:00:00 AM | | |
| Strong 2021 Performance, Investing for Sustainable Growth | https://www.bil.com/en/bil-group/pressroom/news/Pages/Strong-2021-Performance-Investing-for-Sustainable-Growth.aspx | Strong 2021 Performance, Investing for Sustainable Growth | | <p><b>Key figures</b></p>
<ul class="list-check">
<li>Assets under Management (AuM): EUR 45.9 billion, +5.2%;</li>
<li>Customer deposits: EUR 20.7 billion, +4.6%;</li>
<li>Customer loans: EUR 16.3 billion, +6.1%.</li>
<li>Total balance sheet: EUR 32.4 billion, +6.2%</li>
<li>Total revenues: EUR 632 million, +15%</li>
<li>Expenses: EUR 442 million, +6%</li>
<li>Net income: EUR 135 million, +34%</li>
<li>CET1 ratio: 14.15%</li>
</ul>
<p><b>2021: the economy bounces back, BIL accelerates its transformation</b></p>
<p>After the pandemic-induced recession of 2020, 2021 saw the economy bounce back and return to pre-pandemic level. This fast recovery came with new challenges which have become a marker of 2021: supply-chain bottlenecks, shortages of supplies and the first signs of the return of inflation. Notwithstanding massive vaccination campaigns started in early 2021 in Luxembourg, the EU and globally, the pandemic continued to affect social interactions and business activities. For the banking sector, in addition to the pandemic and its consequences on commercial activities, persistently low interest rates, reinforced regulation, and increased competition from digital entrants remain the biggest challenges.
<br>To be fit for the future and become the best bank for entrepreneurs in Luxembourg, BIL embarked in 2020 on a transformative 5-year strategic plan. Thanks to its strong position in Luxembourg, coupled with major investments in its operations, its talents and with added focus on the strengthening of its wealth management business and on building bridges between Europe and China, BIL is well positioned to build sustainable growth, improve products and services and to be an employer of choice in the years to come. In the context of the on-going pandemic, agility and the capability to adapt proved to be essential, highlighting the need for faster changes.</p>
<p><b>A strong performance, driven by dynamic commercial activities</b></p>
<p>BIL Group reported a net income after tax of 135 million euros, a 34% increase compared with 2020, successfully navigating turbulent economic times.
<br>The Group’s increased focus on its core businesses and markets, combined with its ability to accompany clients and the economy in a comprehensive way sustained the increase of revenues. In 2021, total income amounted to EUR 632 million, up 15% compared with 2020. The core operating revenues of its commercial and financial markets activities reached EUR 573 million.
Negative interest rates continued to weigh on revenues but were compensated for by continued loan growth, which increased by 6.1% to EUR 16.3 billion. Assets under Management increased by 5.2% reaching EUR 45.9 billion, and customer deposits increased by +4.6%, reaching EUR 20.7 billion. In addition to the dynamism of commercial activities thanks to ongoing support to individual and business clients in their projects, non-recurring items, such as capital gains from the Bank’s investment portfolio and the partial sale of BIL’s stake in Bourse de Luxembourg S.A., also contributed to the growth of revenues in 2021.
<br>In this challenging, yet growing economic environment, BIL continued to invest heavily to be fit for the future. The implementation of a new core banking system, in the final stages of development, additional recruitment to boost human capital, and investments in regulatory requirements led to a 6% increase of expenses, reaching EUR 442 million.
The strong post-pandemic recovery of the Luxembourg economy and the bank’s main foreign market economies has also led to a significant improvement in the quality of assets, which had been impacted by the pandemic since the second quarter of 2020, and as a consequence, to a decrease of the core cost of risk by 40%.</p>
<p>Marcel Leyers, Chief Executive Officer of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg, commented: « <i>Thanks to the engagement of our teams and the strength of our services, Banque Internationale à Luxembourg achieved a strong performance in 2021. This performance acknowledges our long-term commitment towards our retail, private and corporate banking clients, and it confirms our major role in financing the economy. </i> »</p>
<p><b>2022: a defining year</b></p>
<p>Uncertainties surrounding the global economy will remain high throughout 2022. BIL Group is closely monitoring the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From a risk management perspective, BIL’s exposure to Russia is relatively small. The direct impacts of the conflict on the 2021 Consolidated Financial Statements are limited. Credit exposure towards Russia reaches 0.3% of total exposures as of December, 31, 2021. All exposures are well collateralised and all collaterals are located in Western Europe. However, the overall impact of the crisis is, as yet, not known. BIL expects corporate and individual clients will be impacted, as energy and commodities prices are surging. The Bank will continue to support its clients through the crisis in the best possible way.
<br>Amidst this challenging environment, agility, adaptability and focus will remain paramount. BIL Group will continue the roll out of its strategy, accelerate the execution of major projects that will be defining for the bank of tomorrow.
<br>The 2021 Financial report will be published on April 28 2022 following the general assembly of shareholders.</p> | 3/31/2022 9:00:00 AM | | |
