Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) raised USD 1 bn from its first sustainability-linked sukuk issuance, it said in a bourse disclosure (pdf). The five-year paper was priced at a yield of 4.572% per annum, tightening from initial guidance of 120 bps over US Treasuries to 90 bps on strong investor demand. The notes, issued under DIB’s USD 12.5 bn sukuk program listed on Euronext Dublin and Nasdaq Dubai, drew more than USD 2 bn in orders, making it over 2x oversubscribed.

ICYMI- DIB had kicked off investor calls for its maiden sustainability-linked sukuk earlier last week, after mandating a syndicate of regional and international banks led by Standard Chartered as sustainability advisor. The issuance was expected to carry the same rating as the lender — rated A3 by Moody’s and A by Fitch with a stable outlook.

Asian orders were among the largest in the book. About 67% of allocations went to regional investors, some 20% to Asian investors (the bank’s highest share of Asian investors to date), and the remainder to Europe and other markets. Banks and private lenders took the bulk of the issuance at 77%, followed by fund managers with 17%, and institutional investors such as insurers and sovereign funds accounting for the final 6%.

A structure wrapped in a green bow: Unlike traditional green sukuk that fund specific sustainability projects, DIB’s performance-linked issue ties its financing to measurable sustainable outcomes, meaning the bank can use proceeds for general purposes, but must meet preset ESG KPIs.

ADVISORS- HSBC quarterbacked the transaction as joint lead manager and bookrunner alongside Standard Chartered, Arqaam Capital, Bank ABC, Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Bank, ICBC, KFH Capital, KIB Invest, Maybank, QInvest, and Sharjah Islamic Bank.