Crédit Mutuel Arkéa's eco-responsible savings labelled

Crédit Mutuel Arkéa is continuing its commitment to environmental responsibility by launching a new environmental impact investment fund for its customers. The particularity of this new committed savings solution lies in its labelling, which the banking group is highlighting to differentiate itself from green-washing initiatives that mask genuine commitments.

FACTS

• The new savings contract launched by Crédit Mutuel Arkéa has been named Autofocus Transition Climat October 2022. It is presented by the bank as the first French formula fund with a label, capable of truly satisfying the requirements of savers concerned about the environmental impact of their investments.

• It will be offered primarily to customers of Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne, Crédit Mutuel du Sud-Ouest and Fortuneo.

• Autofocus Transition Climat October 2022 is open to subscription in life insurance, securities accounts and PEA. It allows you to contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy by limiting your investments to companies that are in line with the requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement. 40 of the most virtuous French companies in terms of decarbonisation are therefore concerned by these investments.

• Characteristics of the Autofocus Transition Climat October 2022 fund:

  • non-guaranteed capital with a maximum duration of 9 years,

  • performance linked to the S&P France 40 Paris-Aligned Transition ESG 5% Decrement Index,

  • 2 guaranteed, fixed and capped coupons of 6% in the first and second year,

  • automatic early redemption from the third year onwards, with a conditional, fixed and capped gain of 6% per elapsed year depending on the performance of the benchmark index.

CHALLENGES

• An anti-green washing label: In the face of the explosion of committed savings and loan offers, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa is promoting its label as proof of its real action and its fight against green-washing.

• An increase in its commitments: Crédit Mutuel Arkéa announced its transformation into a company with a mission at the beginning of the year. This status should give it a certain degree of credibility in the face of the competition, and complete a strategy marked by social commitment. The launch of this new fund is also part of the group's Transitions 2024 strategic plan.

MARKET PERSPECTIVE

• The financial market is currently marked by the multiplication of green initiatives led by traditional banks. These initiatives follow the recommendations of the COP26 and are particularly highlighted in the current context of awareness of the climate emergency.

• However, the line between marketing and concrete efforts is still difficult to draw in some cases, as some NGOs point out. While some banks have managed to obtain the status of a company with a mission in order to get out of the game, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa is now doubling up with its label, which is currently exclusive.