Sustainable Fitch has issued a Second-Party Opinion on the Impact Investment Exchange’s (IIX) Women’s Livelihood Bond (WLB) Series framework, declaring it fully aligned with the International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, and Sustainability Bond Guidelines. The opinion, rated as ‘Excellent’, also marks Sustainable Fitch’s inaugural evaluation against the Orange Bond Principles, developed by the Orange Movement.
IIX, a Singapore-based impact investment management firm, focuses on providing financial solutions to underserved communities. The WLB Series targets low-income women in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, offering loans in sectors such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and affordable housing. The framework’s proceeds are allocated across seven categories, including water, sanitation, and hygiene loans, as well as microfinance and micro-insurance products.
Sustainable Fitch anticipates that these projects will significantly enhance environmental and social outcomes, such as employment generation and improved access to financial services for underserved women. The evaluation underscores the framework’s potential to increase renewable energy use and improve sanitation facilities.
The endorsement by Sustainable Fitch not only validates IIX’s commitment to sustainable finance but also sets a precedent for future evaluations under the Orange Bond Principles. This development is expected to bolster confidence in impact investments aimed at fostering social and environmental progress.
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