A key component of our success at Fortis is the ability to identify and capture growth opportunities. And Merchant Banking is ideally placed to do just that. How? By leveraging our strong position in corporate and commercial banking and in international niches, such as energy, commodities and transportation (ECT), and hedge funds.

But we also have a nose for new business. Take our carbon banking activities, for example, which have come a long way since being launched back in 2003. Fortis is now recognised as a leader in the European trading market in emission allowances and in the Kyoto market in Certified Emission Reductions (CERs). With the expertise to deliver added value, we offer our customers a range of greenhouse gas solutions, including administrative settlement of carbon transactions, trading, finance, fund administration, clearing and escrow services. With offices in Europe, the US, Hong Kong and Singapore, we are the first bank in the world to offer a carbon banking service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Last year Fortis was part of the largest and most innovative global carbon deals, was a market maker on the European Climate Exchange (ECX) and closed more than 20,000 carbon deals.

Fortis has also been selected as the Financial Services Provider for the UNDP MDG Carbon Facility for its initial pipeline of compliance projects. Partnering with UNDP, an established leader in technical assistance to environmental projects, will allow us to give our customers access to high-quality CERs and Emission Reduction Units sourced using the UNDP’s extensive country office network and strong local relationships.