Banco Bolivariano C.A.
Status: Approved investmentWhy disclosure?
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Disclaimer
The information as disclosed is indicative and provided on an "as-is/as available" basis for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or investment advice, nor as a commitment or an offer to arrange or provide any financing. The final decision to provide financing is subject to the terms and conditions of FMO in its sole and absolute discretion. When providing links to other sites, FMO bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. The information on proposed investment for high-risk investments is made available in the language relevant to the country or region where the bulk of operations take place. Translations of any information into languages other than English are intended as a convenience for local stakeholders. In case of any discrepancy, the information provided in English will prevail.
Who is our customer?
Banco Bolivariano, a long-standing FMO client, is a locally-owned universal bank with a 45-year track record and a strong regional presence in the coastal region of Ecuador. The bank ranks sixth in the sector with a stable market share of 8% and total assets of USD 5.4 billion as of December 2024. The bank has positioned itself as a leading financier in the shrimp sector, one of the country’s fastest-growing and most strategic industries.
What is our funding objective?
FMO co-invests USD 20 million in the first-ever Biodiversity Bond in Ecuador to be issued by Banco Bolivariano for a total amount of USD 120 million. Other co-investors participate with subscriptions of USD 50 million each. The proceeds from the bond will be used to promote environmental sustainability and ecosystem conservation and protection, contributing to SDG 13.
Why do we fund this investment?
This transaction aligns with FMO’s strategic focus on supporting high-impact markets and fostering innovation in sustainable finance, as part of the 2030 Strategy through SDG 13 Climate Action. The deployment of a biodiversity-linked structure through a systemically important financial institution contributes to FMO’s efforts in supporting private sector engagement in nature-positive financing.
What is the Environmental and Social categorization rationale?
Banco Bolivariano has been categorized as Category A in accordance with FMO’s Sustainability Policy due to its large corporate portfolio as well as financial exposure to sectors with potentially significant and adverse environmental and social (E&S) risks, such as aquaculture, fishing, agribusiness, and industrial manufacturing. Banco Bolivariano’s E&S risks are managed through an existing Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) operated by a dedicated E&S team. As part of the transaction, Banco Bolivariano is required to apply the EDFI Exclusion List, Ecuador’s E&S laws and regulations, and the IFC Performance Standards for applicable transactions.
More investments
| Date | Total FMO financing |
|---|---|
| 7/22/2022 | USD 30.00 MLN |
| 3/24/2026 | USD 10.00 MLN |
| 10/10/2025 | USD 10.00 MLN |
| 10/10/2025 | USD 30.00 MLN |
| 4/12/2026 | USD 20.00 MLN |
- Website customer/investment
- https://www.bolivariano.com/
- Region
- Latin America & The Caribbean
- Country
- Ecuador
- Sector
- Financial Institutions
- Publication date
- 6/2/2025
- Effective date
- 11/20/2025
- Total FMO financing
- USD 20.00 MLN
- Funding
- FMO NV
-
Risk categorization on environmental and social impacts, A = high risk, B+ = medium high risk, B = medium risk, C = low risk
Environmental & Social Category
(A, B+, B or C) - A
- Translation
- https://www.fmo.nl/banco-bolivariano-c.a.