Sun Life Sustainability Bond reflects strength
of the company's new sustainability strategy
TORONTO, March 30, 2020 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc.
(TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) is pleased to announce the company has won
the corporate Sustainability Bond of the Year Award. The award
reflects Sun Life's increased focus on sustainable investing, one
of three pillars of the company's refreshed sustainability plan.
The recognition is courtesy of Environmental Finance, a leading
online news and analysis service that reports on the sustainable
investing and green finance of companies active in environmental
markets. Winners were selected by a panel of 30 judges made up of
some of the world's largest green, social and sustainability bond
investors.
"We're thrilled that Sun Life's Sustainability Bond has been
named a winner for this exciting award. This is further proof that
we are committed to embed sustainability into our business
strategy, while positively contributing to society," said
Melissa Kennedy, Executive Vice
President, Chief Legal Officer & Executive Sponsor of
Sustainability, Sun Life. "At Sun Life, our Purpose is to help our
Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier
lives, and we're pleased to be recognized as a company that
provides more opportunities for sustainable investing in
Canada."
Last summer, Sun Life announced the issuance of C$750 million benchmark-size 10-year inaugural
Sustainability Bond, the first of its kind by a life insurance
company globally. Distinguishing them from green bonds, Sun Life's
bond and its Sustainability Bond Framework include criteria for
both green and social assets. Potentially eligible social
investments focus on access to essential services, facilities and
equipment that contribute to the long-term health of communities
while delivering excess returns to investors, such as
infrastructure investments for hospitals or childcare centers. The
transaction was a success, attracting positive feedback and strong
investor demand.
"This recognition from Environmental Finance is further evidence
of our commitment to living our Purpose throughout all aspects of
our business," said Randy Brown,
Chief Investment Officer, Sun Life. "We all have a part to play in
the enhancement of the health and well-being of our communities,
and we're proud to make a positive impact in the way Canadians
invest. As part of Sun Life's investment process, we look at all
investments through an ESG lens along with other non-financial
considerations related to sustainability, and hope to launch more
initiatives like this in the future."
In late March, Sun Life released its 2019 Sustainability Report.
The report highlights Sun Life's achievements and efforts to create
a more sustainable world while delivering for Clients, employees
and communities. In addition, it outlines Sun Life's new
sustainability plan which focuses on three key areas where Sun Life
has the greatest opportunity to drive meaningful change: increasing
financial security, fostering healthier lives, and advancing
sustainable investing. This is underlined by Sun Life's continued
commitment to be a trusted and responsible business. For more
information, visit www.sunlife.com/Sustainability.
Connect with Sun Life Financial
About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services
organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management
solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has
operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United
States, the United Kingdom,
Ireland, Hong Kong, the
Philippines, Japan,
Indonesia, India, China,
Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December
31, 2019, Sun Life had total assets under management of
$1,099 billion. For more information,
please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New
York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the
ticker symbol SLF.
Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars
Media Relations
Contact:
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Investor Relations
Contact:
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Hannah
Stewart
|
Leigh
Chalmers
|
Manager, Corporate
Communications
|
SVP, Head of Investor
Relations & Capital Management
|
Sun Life
|
Sun Life
|
416-557-4428
|
647-256-8201
|
hannah.stewart@sunlife.com
|
investor.relations@sunlife.com
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SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.