CreditAccess Grameen Secures Landmark USD 100 Million Multi-Currency Syndicated Social Loan Facility
Bengaluru: CreditAccess Grameen Limited, the country’s largest Non-Banking Financial Company-Micro Finance Institution (NBFC-MFI), has secured a USD 100 million multi-currency syndicated social loan facility, qualifying as an ECB under the automatic route of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This ECB facility is the first of its kind in India’s microfinance sector, comprising Japanese Yen (JPY) and United States Dollar (USD) currencies, predominantly raised from banks in South Asia and the Far East.
This transaction marks the second syndicated loan facility led by Standard Chartered Bank for the Company and builds on the strong track record in international borrowings. Standard Chartered Bank previously acted as the Sole Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner for the Company’s landmark USD 200 million syndicated ECB in 2023. The social loan shall adhere to CA Grameen’s Social Loan Framework, which aligns with the Social Loan Principles 2023, stipulating the use of proceeds, social development goals, and governance, according to the Loan Market Association. Sustainalytics has provided a second-party opinion validating the credibility and impact of the Framework.
The facility was initially launched for a base size of USD 70 million in November 2024 and achieved an oversubscription, resulting in commitments being upsized to USD 100 million from 7 banks. CA Grameen’s ability to raise international financing, especially debt from Korean and Japanese lenders, reflects its strong ESG credentials and impact-driven track record. The proceeds from this facility will be directed toward eligible social projects, supporting CA Grameen’s mission of driving equitable and sustainable progress.