Standard Chartered Raises HKD 2 Billion in Inaugural Green Wonton Bond

Standard Chartered has issued a HKD 2 billion (approximately USD 255 million) Green Wonton Bond, its first Hong Kong dollar-denominated bond, with proceeds directed to renewable energy, green buildings and circular economy projects primarily across Asia. The issuance marks the first green Wonton Bond to be issued by a financial institution and generated an order book of more than HKD 3.8 billion.

The Wonton Bond market covers HKD-denominated bonds issued by foreign entities in Hong Kong, including supranationals, sovereigns, agencies and corporations. Standard Chartered's issuance follows the market's first-ever public green bond, a HKD 6 billion offering by International Finance Corporation earlier this month, and represents the bank's sixth sustainable finance issuance overall as well as its largest HKD bond to date. Proceeds will reference Standard Chartered's Sustainable Finance asset pool, which holds $17 billion in green assets, with more than 62% located in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The strong order book—exceeding the previous record for the bank—signals growing investor appetite for HKD-denominated green fixed income assets and reinforces Hong Kong's position as a sustainable finance hub for Asian markets. Standard Chartered's green bond framework targets projects contributing to cleaner electricity grids, more efficient commercial real estate and reduced pollution, areas where Asia faces significant investment needs as it transitions away from coal and fossil fuel-dependent infrastructure. The bank has been expanding its sustainable finance capabilities across the region as regulatory and investor pressure on climate-aligned lending increases.

The issuance is expected to support Standard Chartered's broader sustainability strategy, which includes financing renewable energy projects and green buildings across its core Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets. Hong Kong has been actively positioning itself as a green finance centre, with regulators and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority promoting sustainable bond issuance and taxonomies aligned with international standards. Deals such as Standard Chartered's inaugural Green Wonton Bond help deepen the market's liquidity and demonstrate that demand exists for HKD-denominated sustainable debt instruments beyond sovereign and supranational issuers.

Key figure — HKD 2 billion (USD 255 million) raised in the Green Wonton Bond issuance