Verizon prices second Green Bond - Seite 2

“I applaud the bold actions of Verizon’s Board and management to live out the company’s ESG values through this second Green Bond issuance, but also through the company’s business diversity efforts by including Loop Capital Markets, an African-American-owned investment bank, as a joint bookrunner on the transaction,” said Jim Reynolds, Chairman and CEO, Loop Capital Markets. “Verizon recognizes that minority-owned firms attract the most diverse talent on Wall Street, and their support of that is evident in this bond transaction.”

“Verizon’s $1 billion Green Bond issuance is the most recent example of the company’s longstanding holistic approach to ESG as it relates to the sustainable environment and the recognition of the social value of diversity and inclusion,” said Chris Williams, Chairman of the Board of Siebert Williams Shank.  “Notably, Verizon’s decision to allocate equal responsibility and compensation to each of the minority-owned, and global bank underwriters, is evidence of the company’s commitment to providing meaningful economic opportunity on the basis of merit and equity.”

Bank of America’s and Citigroup’s participation in this transaction demonstrates their and Verizon’s shared commitment to meaningful empowerment of minority- and women-owned businesses. 

“By awarding Siebert Williams Shank and Loop Capital Markets equal leadership roles alongside large financial institutions, Verizon is sending a strong message about its commitment to equality and financial empowerment and is paving the way for other Fortune 500 issuers to do the same,” said John Utendahl, Vice Chairman of Bank of America. “This aligns with Bank of America’s long-standing commitment to the people and communities it serves and our commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity. Verizon is a leader in ESG issuance and we look forward to partnering with them on future transactions.”

Ray McGuire, Vice Chairman of Citigroup, added, “We congratulate Verizon for taking a leadership role in establishing new and highly achievable benchmarks for diversity and inclusion. With today’s transaction, Verizon sends a powerful message of progress towards equal economic opportunity by engaging minority-owned investment banks Loop Capital Markets and Siebert Williams Shank on an equal basis with Citi and BofA. Verizon’s leadership in Green Bonds, where proceeds are used to fund important initiatives for a healthier, cleaner future, should inspire companies in the United States and globally to pursue similar objectives. We thank Verizon for its leadership and I am encouraged that Verizon shares Citi’s values and an unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion and economic opportunity.”