FMO and ABN AMRO join forces for impact
June 9, 2016FMO, ABN AMRO and Privium are pleased to announce that the new FMO Privium Impact Fund is now open for subscriptions (June 2016). The fund allows clients of ABN AMRO, starting with its Private Bank in the Netherlands, ABN AMRO MeesPierson, the exclusive opportunity to co-invest in loans to private sector companies in emerging markets, together with the Dutch Development Bank FMO.
FMO has over 45 years of experience with investments in emerging markets and an outstanding track record. In addition to financial return, the development bank targets and measures, its impact by looking at supporting (direct and indirect) job creation as well as the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions. The investments made by the FMO Privium Impact Fund contribute to this cause. ‘By providing a loan to a local bank in Bangladesh, for example, this bank has the opportunity to offer credit to more local SMEs. This increases the chances of these entrepreneurs to be successful and to create jobs within their companies. So one loan does not only help the local bank, but an entire community.’ explains Yvonne Bakkum, Managing Director of FMO Investment Management B.V, which will act as investment advisor to the fund manager.
ABN AMRO aims to be a better bank contributing to a better world. The bank wants to provide interesting investment opportunities for their clients which delivers a financial return, but which also have a positive impact on society. ‘The FMO Privium Impact Fund is a solution from which clients can expect both financial and social returns, with regular liquidity. It is a very interesting opportunity for our clients to co-invest with a bank like FMO, which has a good track record in emerging market loans.’ says Solange Rouschop, Global Head of Investment Services & Sustainability.
ABN AMRO and FMO, in collaboration with Privium Fund Management BV, a fund manager with significant experience in sustainable investments, are taking the next step in the impact investing universe with this collaboration. ‘It is a scalable solution.’ Rouschop and Bakkum agree, ‘The impact is scalable because of the business volumes of FMO and the significant unmet demand for long term finance in emerging markets.’ says Bakkum. ‘And so is the product itself,’ adds Rouschop, ‘because it is a liquid solution we can offer it to a wide range of our private clients, allowing them to diversify their portfolios and contribute to real impact in emerging markets’.
The FMO Privium Impact Fund is available for clients of ABN AMRO MeesPierson and more information can be found on: www.fmopriviumimpactfund.nl.