Project Details
Project
Valley Sustainable Financing Framework Second-Party Opinion (2022)
Client
Valley National Bank
Project Type
Sustainability Bond/Loan
Industry Group
Banks
Use of Proceeds
Renewable energy; Clean transport; Green buildings; Energy efficiency; Access to essential services; Socio-economic advancement; Affordable housing; Education;
Location
U.S.
Evaluation Date
Sep 2022
Evaluation Summary
Sustainalytics is of the opinion that the Valley Sustainable Financing Framework is credible and impactful and aligns with the Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2021, Green Bond Principles 2021, and Social Bond Principles 2021. This assessment is based on the following:
USE OF PROCEEDS
The eligible categories for the use of proceeds —Affordable Housing, Workforce Housing, Socioeconomic Advancement and Empowerment, Access to Essential Infrastructure and Essential Services, Access to Education, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Green Buildings and Clean Transportation — are aligned with those recognized by both the Green Bond Principles and the Social Bond Principles. Sustainalytics considers that investments in the eligible categories will lead to positive environmental or social impacts and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDGs 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11.
PROJECT EVALUATION / SELECTION
Valley National Bancorp, through its principal subsidiary, Valley National Bank, has established the Sustainable Financing Committee comprising Valley National Bank’s Co-Chair of ESG Council, Director of Capital Planning and Stress Testing, Director of Corporate Finance and Business Development, and Corporate Finance Manager will oversee the asset selection process based on the criteria defined in the Framework. Valley National Bancorp, through its principal subsidiary, Valley National Bank, has established the Valley National Bank’s ESG Council, which will be responsible for the identification and mitigation of ESG related risks related to Valley National Bank’s lending activities. Sustainalytics considers this to be in line with market practice.
MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS
Valley National Bancorp, through its principal subsidiary, Valley National Bank, has established a Sustainable Funding Asset Tracking Report that will be used to track all eligible projects and assets approved by the Sustainable Financing Committee. Valley National Bancorp, through its principal subsidiary, Valley National Bank, intends to fully allocate bond proceeds within 24 months of issuance. Pending allocation, proceeds will be invested temporarily in cash, cash equivalents and other high-quality liquid assets. Based on the presence of a system to track allocations and the disclosure of intended temporary management approach, Sustainalytics considers this to be in line with market practice.
REPORTING
Valley National Bancorp, through its principal subsidiary, Valley National Bank, intends to report on allocation of proceeds in its Sustainable Finance Report on an annual basis until full allocation. This report will be publicly available on its website and will include amount of proceeds allocated, outstanding amounts and description of financed assets. In addition, Valley National Bancorp, through its principal subsidiary, Valley National Bank, is committed to reporting on relevant impact metrics. Sustainalytics views Valley National Bancorp’s allocation and impact reporting as aligned with market practice.