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Banca Afirme - SMEs

Project number 12254-02

Country Mexico

Sector Financial Institutions

Status Proposed

Basic information

Company name
Banca Afirme, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple

Investment type Loan

E&S category
FI-2

Disclosed date
11/12/2018

Projected board date
12/14/2018

Team Leader
Michael Apel

Financial Summary

Financing Requested
Up to MXN600 million or up to the equivalent of US$30 million

Financing Currency
MXN

Client
information

Client Contact Name: Gemma Mayagoitia
Title: Risk Director
Phone Number: (+5281) 8056-0500 Ext. 24638
E-Mail Address: gemma.mayagoitia@afirme.com

PROJECT
SCOPE
AND
OBJECTIVE

The proposed transaction consists of an unsecured financing to Banca Afirme, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, (“Afirme” or the “Bank”) denominated in Mexican Pesos (“MXN”) for an amount of up to MXN600 million or up to the equivalent to US$30million with a tenor of up to four years. The purpose of the Project is to support the growth of the Bank’s Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (“SMEs”) portfolio with an emphasis on green lending projects. In addition, IDB Invest engagement will include advisory services to support the client in building a top-notch environmental and social management system, a system to adequately classify green lending projects, and advisory to strengthen internal capacities in order to generate a strong pipeline of green projects and position the Bank as a market leader in green lending.

Environmental
and
Social
Review

General information about the scope of the IDB Invest environmental and social review: The environmental and social review of the proposed transaction was done through desk research, a due diligence visit and meetings held with Afirme’s loan and risk teams, and an examination of the client’s credit procedures and sustainability programs. Afirme is a new IDB Invest client with an emerging environmental and social commitment.
Environmental and social classification and rationale: The proposed credit line has been classified as an FI-2 operation under IDB Invest’s Sustainability Policy. The underlying loans would be focused on Afirme’s existing SME portfolio with a portion of the loan aimed towards developing a green segment within its SME segment. On-loans to SMEs average US$200K and Afirme’s portfolio is primarily concentrated in commerce and services, with some lending to manufacturing, construction, and transport. Category A sub-loans, per IDB Invest’s definition, will be excluded from IDB Invest financing.
Environmental and social risks and impacts: The project’s main environmental and social risks are associated with the financial institution’s capacity to identify and manage the environmental and social risks linked to its loan activities. Afirme’s capacity in this regard is considered emergent; this is the first loan from a development finance institution and it does not yet have an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) in place. While loans to the commerce and services sectors are likely to present low E&S risks, on-lending to other productive sectors, including green lending for e.g. resource efficiency and/or renewable energy may present more moderate risks.
Mitigation measures: Afirme will be required to ensure that all loans comply with IDB Invest’s List of Excluded Activities, and applicable local environmental and social laws. With the support of a consultant, Afirme will also develop an overarching environmental and climate policy and an ESMS satisfactory to IDB Invest. The ESMS will include a categorization guide, screening checklists, E&S contractual clauses, and action plan templates, among others. The consultant will also support Afirme in the identification of eligible green lending opportunities within its SMEs porftolio. These activities are described in the action plan below.
Environmental and Social Plan of Action:

Activity	Description	Timeline
ESMS development and implementation	Afirme will be required to work with a designated consultant to develop a corporate-wide ESMS consistent with IDB Invest Requirements and IFC Performance Standard 1. As part of this requirement, Afirme will form an ESMS committee (including credit risk, portfolio, and product development, among others) and assign a dedicated staff member to oversee development and operation of the ESMS.	3 months post disbursement (form committee) 9 months post disbursement (develop ESMS)
Hiring of a Consultant	Afirme will work with an expert consultant for (i) the development and implementation of the ESMS and (ii) the identification and characterization of “green” lending opportunities within Afirme’s SMEs lending segment; (iii) the development and adoption of a decision-making support process for “green” project evaluation and selection, including through the definition of green lending eligibility criteria, (iv) training of Afirme staff on “green” lending. All documentation developed by the consultant will be agreed and submitted to IDB Invest. Afirme will cover a portion of the costs associated with the hiring of the consultant.	Hiring of consultant, no later than one-month post disbursement
Appointment of ESMS manager	Afirme will appoint an ESMS Manager responsible for guiding work between the committee and the consultant, and will be responsible for reviewing/overseeing all E&S analysis.	At disbursement
Training	Afirme will ensure ESMS manager undertakes an E&S risk management training course offered by IDB Invest or UNEP FI.	Six months after disbursement.

6. Contact information: For project inquires, including environmental and social questions related to an IDB Invest investment, please contact the client (see Investment Summary sheet) or IDB Invest via email at: divulgacionpublica@iadb.org. As a last resort, project affected communities have access to the IDB Invest Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism by email – mecanismo@iadb.org or MICI@iadb.org – or by calling +1 (202) 623-3952.

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