Standard Chartered has launched its first Green Wonton Bond, raising HKD2 billion ($255 million). This is one of Hong Kong’s largest sustainable finance deals this year. It is the first public green bond in Hong Kong dollars by a Financial Institutions Group (FIG) and the bank’s largest HKD issuance, exceeding its previous record of HKD1.5 billion.
This deal highlights growing investor demand for green finance and boosts Hong Kong’s status as a leading sustainable finance hub in Asia.
What is a “Wonton Bond”?
A “Wonton Bond” is a Hong Kong dollar bond issued by foreign governments, banks, or international organizations in Hong Kong. The name reflects local culture, similar to China’s “Dim Sum Bonds.” These bonds help global issuers raise funds from Asian investors and enhance Hong Kong’s role as a financial center.
Recently, the International Finance Corporation issued a green Wonton Bond for climate projects. The World Bank and Standard Chartered also use this market for funding and sustainable finance.
Strong Investor Demand Signals Confidence
The Green Wonton Bond drew significant global interest. Order books peaked at HKD3.8 billion, nearly twice the issued amount. This response shows investor confidence in Standard Chartered’s green finance strategy and sustainable asset portfolio.
Dan Hodge, Deputy Group Chief Financial Officer and Group Treasurer at Standard Chartered, said:
“We continue to deliver on our strategy by leveraging our differentiated cross-border capabilities to drive long-term, sustainable value. This issuance provides HKD investors with access to our diverse portfolio of green assets, while benefiting from a UK-regulated bank counterparty.”
Notably, this issuance is the bank’s sixth sustainable finance bond. Earlier, in January 2026, Standard Chartered issued a €1 billion Green Bond, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable debt markets.
The bank announced that the new bond will fund projects in renewable energy, green buildings, and the circular economy, mainly in Asia. These investments will create cleaner electricity systems, boost energy efficiency in commercial real estate, and reduce pollution.
The bond aligns with the bank’s Sustainability Bond Framework and its wider climate strategy.
Standard Chartered Pushes Toward Sustainability Goals
Standard Chartered has grown its sustainable finance business significantly in recent years. As per its Sustainable Finance Impact report, the bank aims to mobilize $300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030. It will do this through loans, bonds, and trade finance solutions that help clients shift to a low-carbon economy.
Since 2021, to September 2025, it had already mobilized $157 billion, making solid progress toward its long-term goal.
- The bank is aiming for interim emissions reduction targets by 2030. This plan focuses on 12 high-emitting sectors. It’s part of a bigger goal: reaching net-zero financed emissions by 2050.
Beyond climate goals, Standard Chartered is increasing investments that create social impact. In March 2025, the bank issued its first €1 billion social bond to support projects with social and development benefits.
Sustainable finance is now a key business driver. From January to December 2025, Standard Chartered generated $1.07 billion in sustainable finance income, exceeding its medium-term target of at least $1 billion annually by 2025.
The bank has also boosted innovation through hubs focusing on adaptation finance, blended finance, carbon markets, nature finance, and the circular economy. These hubs aim to develop new financial solutions for clients across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
- READ MORE: How Standard Chartered’s €1 Billion Green Bond Is Scaling Climate Finance in Emerging Markets
Green Portfolio Delivers Real Climate Impact
Standard Chartered’s sustainable finance asset portfolio reached $23.4 billion across 524 projects in 57 countries. This portfolio remained stable compared to 2024, though the project mix shifted based on client demand.
About 70% of the bank’s sustainable finance assets are in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Investments in these regions often yield greater development and climate benefits due to limited capital access.
For instance, financing an offshore wind project in Egypt can avoid nearly nine times more carbon emissions than a similar project in the UK.
Nearly one-third of the portfolio supports projects in least-developed and lower-income countries, underlining the bank’s focus on development-driven financing.
Renewable energy financing in the portfolio grew 11% year over year, despite a global slowdown in renewable investments.
Million Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Removed
Green projects make up the largest share of the bank’s sustainable financing. As of September 2025, about 73% of sustainable finance lending supported green initiatives.
These projects helped prevent around 6.94 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Of this, 2.88 million tonnes have already been achieved. The remaining 4.06 million tonnes are expected in the future.
The bank noted that this impact equals preventing the consumption of 16.1 million barrels of oil, or avoiding 6.7 million economy-class round-trip flights between London and Singapore.
The green asset portfolio features $17 billion in financing. It includes 389 projects in areas such as:
- Renewable energy
- Energy efficiency
- Waste management
- Wastewater reduction
- Sustainable resource management
About 62% of these green assets are in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Nearly one-third of the portfolio represents new financing added during the latest reporting period.
Hong Kong Strengthens Its Green Finance Position
The Green Wonton Bond reflects rising global interest in Hong Kong dollar assets. It tapped into a unique HKD liquidity pool, helping Standard Chartered PLC diversify its funding base across currencies and regions.
Mary Huen, CEO, Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia at Standard Chartered, said:
“Our inaugural Green Wonton Bond marks an important milestone for Standard Chartered as we continue to expand our sustainable finance capabilities and connect clients and investors to high-quality green assets. The strong demand we have seen also highlights the growing appeal of HKD-denominated assets and reinforces Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector for capital into the region.”
The successful issuance shows how sustainable finance continues to evolve beyond traditional green bonds in U.S. dollars and euros. It also signals rising investor appetite for Asian currency-denominated climate investments as financial institutions expand funding for the global energy transition.