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Press Release

Fannie Mae Wins Recognition as Largest Issuer of Green Bond by the Climate Bonds Initiative

March 20, 2018

Award Acknowledges Fannie Mae’s Development of Green Finance and Green Bond Markets in 2017

Alicia Jones

202-752-5716

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Climate Bonds Initiative, as part of the Third Annual Green Bond Pioneer Awards, recognized Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTC) as the 2017 Largest Issuer of Green Bonds in the world. The awards are a globally recognized symbol of innovation and achievement in green bond market development.

In 2017, Fannie Mae issued $27.6 billion in Green Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) backed by either green building certified properties or properties targeting a reduction in energy or water consumption, up from $3.6 billion in 2016 and $111 million in 2015. The 2017 Green MBS issuance volume is in addition to the $3.4 billion in Green REMIC tranche issuance volume. The Multifamily Green GeMS™ REMIC (FNA 2017-M15 A2) security is now included in the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI Green Bond Index – a measure of the global market for fixed-income securities issued to fund projects with direct environmental benefits.

“This acknowledgement of our Green Financing business by The Climate Bonds Initiative is an exciting development,” said Jeffery Hayward, Executive Vice President and Head of Multifamily, Fannie Mae. “Fannie Mae is committed to transforming the multifamily market by helping each owner realize their property’s full financial and environmental potential.”

“Our leadership in the Green Financing business is measured by the positive impact in our communities - providing measurable financial, social, and environmental savings to property owners, tenants, lenders, and investors,” said Chrissa Pagitsas, Director, Multifamily Green Financing Business, Fannie Mae.

Winners were selected by a panel of external industry-based advisers in recognition of their efforts to push green finance forward and develop green bond markets through their innovation and activities.

“This year’s Pioneers directly reflect the diversification and depth achieved in international green bond markets in 2017,” said Sean Kidney, CEO, Climate Bonds. “They mark the organizations and individuals who are amongst the new leaders of global finance, creating new markets and mobilizing the green capital urgently needed to address climate change, build climate resilience, and finance low carbon infrastructure.“

Fannie Mae Green Financing loans are secured by multifamily properties that have been awarded one of 14 Green Building Certifications, such as LEED or ENERGY STAR®, or which have Fannie Mae-financed improvements that target at least a 25% reduction in energy or water consumption. For loans originated prior to 2018, the consumption reduction target was 20% or greater. Fannie Mae introduced its Green Financing product to the market in 2011, and securitizes these loans as Green MBS.

For additional information on Fannie Mae’s Green Financing Business, please visit www.fanniemaegreenfinancing.com.

To learn more about Fannie Mae’s most recent awards and achievements, visit: https://www.fanniemae.com/portal/about-fm/awards-achievements.html.


Fannie Mae helps make the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and affordable rental housing possible for millions of Americans. We partner with lenders to create housing opportunities for families across the country. We are driving positive changes in housing finance to make the home buying process easier, while reducing costs and risk. To learn more, visit fanniemae.com and follow us on twitter.com/fanniemae.