news - FMO in 2020: Standing by our customers

NEWS

FMO in 2020: Standing by our customers

March 24, 2021

 

Impact numbers 2020[1]

2020

 

2019

 

(in millions of Euro unless otherwise stated)

SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth

            Total committed portfolio

8,166

 

9,124

            New investments

1,259

 

1,774

            Total (in)direct jobs supported (in number of jobs) [2]

427,489

 

-

SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities (RI)

 

 

 

RI-labelled committed portfolio

2,002

 

2,087

RI-labelled new investments

387

 

468

SDG 13 - Climate Action

 

 

 

Green-labelled committed portfolio

2,825

 

2,987

Green-labelled new investments

354

 

560

 

Financial performance 2020

2020

2019

 

(in millions of Euro unless otherwise stated)

Interest Income

324

376

Interest expenses

-83

-161

Net interest income

241

215

Results from equity investments (IFRS 9)

-211

73

Operating expenses

-144

 

-130

Results from financial transactions

-11

 

-20

Impairments on loans

-78

 

-92

Net profit / loss

-205

 

120

 

 

 

 

CET 1 ratio

23.3 %

 

21.8%

Linda Broekhuizen, Chief Executive Officer a.i. of FMO: “In July 2020, we celebrated FMO’s 50th birthday, in the midst of a pandemic and in a year that proved to be extraordinarily challenging. Many countries and businesses were affected in one way or another, and so was FMO. Our main priorities became the wellbeing of our colleagues and the wellbeing of our customers and investees.”

“Our additionality to the market and risk appetite as a development bank became even more important, also because of significant capital outflows of emerging markets. We provided payment holidays or emergency funding to customers and worked with financial institutions to enhance their support to local businesses. And, perhaps most important of all, we continued regular financing in our focus sectors - Agribusiness, Food and Water, Financial Institutions and Energy - to create jobs, reduce inequality and take climate action.”

“In March, at the start of the first lockdown, we prepared for a worst-case scenario. During the year, however, we were pleased to cautiously conclude that our customers were more resilient than we expected. Still, reflecting on the uncertainty that current times have brought, the value of our Private Equity portfolio decreased. Consequently, we ended the year with a negative result of €205 million for the year 2020. This is the first time in almost three decades that we report a loss.”

“The financial industry is facing increasing regulatory requirements and supervisory scrutiny. In 2020 we therefore also accelerated the pace of aligning our investments and client files with the obligations arising from the anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (in Dutch: Wwft) and the Know Your Customer (KYC) regulation. We see this as an area where the risk of non-compliance with Wwft and the Sanctions Law is present, therefore a Financial Economic Crime (FEC) Enhancement program was set up to demonstrate full compliance by the end of 2021. We take our role as gatekeeper to the financial system very seriously, as progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be severely hampered by financial economic crime.”

Total investments

 Investments made in entrepreneurs in emerging markets

2020

2019

 

(in millions of Euro unless otherwise stated)

Total FMO-A investments[3]

1,259

 

1,774

   Agribusiness, Food & Water

   Energy

   Financial Institutions

   Private Equity

   NL Business

   Other

262

121

661

211

-

4

 

293

316

776

352

7

30

--------------------------------
Off balance

 

 

 

Capital mobilized for projects/customers from 3rd parties

483

 

722

Invested through public funds (managed by FMO)

145

 

223

Milestones in 2020 

  • The launch of FMO’s Ventures Program to support pioneering technology-enabled business models. These innovative players are crucial to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. With 6 investments in 2020 (and 4 new or follow-on investments in Asia), FMO is now one of the most active Venture Capital investors in Africa. This program is launched with the support of the European Commission and the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • The extension of the NASIRA risk sharing program to support COVID-19-affected entrepreneurs in Africa and the European Neighborhood together with the European Commission and the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first guarantee with EU support was signed with SASFIN in South Africa.
  • Throughout the year we intensified our collaboration with other development finance institutions, in particular the Europeans, to support our joint customers throughout the pandemic and economic crisis.
  • We worked closely with the Dutch government on the establishment of Invest International.
  • We issued a seven-year, €500 million sustainability bond.

Financial performance 2020

At the end of 2020, we noted a net loss of €205 million. Our first loss since 1991 is largely driven by a decrease of the fair value of FMO’s private equity portfolio. This decrease is seen across sectors and geographies and is the result of a global decline in emerging market equity valuations due to the COVID–19 pandemic. Furthermore, these assets are exposed to changes in currency rates as a large part of FMO's private equity portfolio is denominated in US dollars. The EUR/USD depreciation of 10% in 2020 had a downward effect on the financial performance of these assets.

Despite these negative factors, our net interest income grew due to lower interest rates during 2020, resulting in lower interest expenses.

Although we are reporting a net loss in 2020, FMO’s capital ratio remains well above the combined ratio of the SREP minimum requirement, set by the Dutch Central Bank. The CET–1 ratio increased by 1.5% to 23.3% (SREP minimum CET – 1 ratio: 13.3%). In the course of 2020, FMO raised additional funding through the issue of a sustainability bond and a private placement of a bond in Swedish crown. In addition, FMO issued a Tier 2 subordinated bond amounting to €250 million. FMO continues to receive an AAA rating with a stable outlook from both Fitch and Standard &Poor's. FMO’s diversification strategy, with exposures diversified across sectors and countries, has again proven effective during the pandemic as some economies and sectors have been affected less than others.

Outlook 2021

“Our motto for FMO’s anniversary celebration was The Challenge of the Decade, the Achievement of the Century. The challenge has only become bigger in the last year. The pandemic has caused rising inequality within and amongst countries. And although greenhouse gas emissions fell, fulfilling the promise of the Paris Agreement on climate change still requires strong efforts from people, industries, and governments.

In striving to fulfil our mission, cooperating with other development banks and partners has become key. Together, we are stronger. Joining forces creates efficiency and strengthens our ability to address the immediate COVID-19 recovery and long-term challenges like climate change. Equally significant are commercial partners who see the need and the gains of investing in sustainable development in emerging markets. Partners that are willing to build on our 50-year track record and experience, help us accelerate promising projects, grow green and inclusive business models and replicate best practices.”

 “We are very grateful for the trust we received from our stakeholders, customers and investees. And, above all, we would like to give a special, heartfelt thanks to the FMO staff, who kept being formidable, even under very difficult circumstances.’’

For more information, please see the full annual report

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[1] Numbers represent FMO investments only, except for jobs supported which also include jobs supported through investments made through public funds.[2] Results are based on the new harmonized Joint Impact Model. No comparative figures available.[3] For a full breakdown of the total committed portfolio figures, please refer to our annual report