Project description
On June 23, 2017, MIGA issued a guarantee of $250 million covering equity investments by Banco Santander S.A. (Banco Santander) in its subsidiary in Argentina, Banco Santander Rio S.A. The mandatory reserves coverage is for a period of up to 3 years. [i]
Environmental Categorization
This project is a Category FI-1 project according to MIGA’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability. Santander is a universal bank and its subsidiary in Argentina, Santander Rio, provides finance to retail customers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and corporate clients.
MIGA analyzed the portfolio of Santander Rio for types of transactions, tenor, size, industry sectors, and exposure to MIGA’s exclusion list. Santander Rio has financial exposure on business activities with potential significant adverse environmental and social risks. The applicable environmental and social requirements are MIGA’s Exclusion List; applicable national social and environmental laws and regulations; and MIGA’s Performance Standards.
MIGA also assessed Santander Rio’s existing environmental and social management system (ESMS) and labor practices. Santander Group is a signatory to the Equator Principles that constitute screening criteria for project and corporate financing against the Performance Standards. Santander Rio’s ESMS is aligned with the Equator Principles and Santander Group corporate policies. MIGA also considered the emergency response plan of the subsidiary as part of the management system and it was determined to be adequate. Human resources and labor practices are aligned with the requirement of MIGA’s Performance Standard 2 on Labor and Working Conditions.
Based on MIGA’s review and applicable performance requirements, the following actions will be expected to be implemented by Santander Rio within an agreed timeframe: revise and update the ESMS to better reflect its portfolio, operation, local context, and incorporate MIGA applicable environmental and social requirements including external communication and grievance mechanism; retain resources for the implementation of the ESMS; and report periodically to MIGA on the update and implementation of the revised ESMS as well as ongoing compliance with applicable elements of the Performance Standards.
Development impact
MIGA’s guarantee supports Banco Santander – the largest private sector bank with systemic importance in the Argentine financial system – by helping it reduce the risk of some of its assets, freeing up capacity under the existing limits on a consolidated basis. This enables Banco Santander to further support additional local lending in Argentina, particularly in activities linked to the real economy, including credit to small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby helping to stimulate economic growth and employment in the country.
MIGA’s coverage to Banco Santander is aligned with the World Bank Group’s strategy for Argentina, as it seeks to enhance access to finance for private sector firms which has been identified as one of the main obstacles to private sector development and firm productivity in the country.
[i] The guarantee was expired on March 31, 2021.
