Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Bond issuance linked to environmental, social and governance (ESG) purposes dipped in the first half of 2025 following a strong second half in 2024. But we expect issuance of ESG-labeled bonds will pick up for several reasons.

Many debut issuers are still coming to the market (Display, left). Borrowers from Austria, Sweden and Spain have significantly increased their ESG-labeled bond issuance, providing over 5% of global total issuance year to date. Their contributions underscore the adaptability and resilience of the ESG-labeled bond market, as many issuers continue to prioritize responsible investing.

In terms of sectors, new ESG-labeled issuance by utilities comprises a substantial part of the market, averaging around 9% of annual issuance from 2018 through 2024. We expect that growing demand for energy from data centers (Display, right) will result in higher capex by utilities and a further increase in their ESG-labeled bond issuance. Why?

First, the rollout of data centers will likely widen to include a range of industries, not just tech companies. Second, financing is likely to diversify too, with public-market debt increasingly supplementing private-market debt. Third, data centers need energy supplies that are reliable: this means not only increased power generation but also more capex to upgrade ageing electricity grids. Finally, to minimize environmental impact, utilities will need to ensure diversity of energy supplies by harnessing more renewables alongside natural gas, which we think will lend itself naturally to more ESG-labeled issuance. 

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations, do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams and are subject to change over time.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility here.

Bond issuance linked to environmental, social and governance (ESG) purposes dipped in the first half of 2025 following a strong second half in 2024. But we expect issuance of ESG-labeled bonds will pick up for several reasons.

Many debut issuers are still coming to the market (Display, left). Borrowers from Austria, Sweden and Spain have significantly increased their ESG-labeled bond issuance, providing over 5% of global total issuance year to date. Their contributions underscore the adaptability and resilience of the ESG-labeled bond market, as many issuers continue to prioritize responsible investing.

In terms of sectors, new ESG-labeled issuance by utilities comprises a substantial part of the market, averaging around 9% of annual issuance from 2018 through 2024. We expect that growing demand for energy from data centers (Display, right) will result in higher capex by utilities and a further increase in their ESG-labeled bond issuance. Why?

First, the rollout of data centers will likely widen to include a range of industries, not just tech companies. Second, financing is likely to diversify too, with public-market debt increasingly supplementing private-market debt. Third, data centers need energy supplies that are reliable: this means not only increased power generation but also more capex to upgrade ageing electricity grids. Finally, to minimize environmental impact, utilities will need to ensure diversity of energy supplies by harnessing more renewables alongside natural gas, which we think will lend itself naturally to more ESG-labeled issuance. 

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations, do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams and are subject to change over time.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility here.

WASHINGTON, December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – The National Park Foundation is participating as a national charity partner beneficiary for the 13th consecutive year in the Subaru Share the Love® Event. Running from November 20, 2025, through January 2, 2026, the campaign connects people everywhere to help inspire a lifelong love of the outdoors and provide the opportunity to give back to national parks across the country.

Through the annual Subaru Share the Love ® Event, Subaru of America and its retailers will support the National Park Foundation, providing critical funding to help preserve and protect more than 400 parks across the country.

As the largest corporate partner of the National Park Foundation, Subaru of America has donated nearly $65 million in support to protect national parks since 2013. The automaker’s combined efforts have helped care for over 85 million acres of protected lands.

“We’re grateful for our long-standing partnership with Subaru, built on a shared belief in the power of our national parks that is as important as ever,” said Dawn Rodney, chief external affairs officer at the National Park Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of Subaru, their retailers, and their customers, we’re able to provide the support needed to keep our parks vibrant and welcoming for today’s visitors and future generations.”

Click here to learn more about the Share the Love Event and Subaru’s longtime support of our national parks.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.

WASHINGTON, December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – The National Park Foundation is participating as a national charity partner beneficiary for the 13th consecutive year in the Subaru Share the Love® Event. Running from November 20, 2025, through January 2, 2026, the campaign connects people everywhere to help inspire a lifelong love of the outdoors and provide the opportunity to give back to national parks across the country.

Through the annual Subaru Share the Love ® Event, Subaru of America and its retailers will support the National Park Foundation, providing critical funding to help preserve and protect more than 400 parks across the country.

As the largest corporate partner of the National Park Foundation, Subaru of America has donated nearly $65 million in support to protect national parks since 2013. The automaker’s combined efforts have helped care for over 85 million acres of protected lands.

“We’re grateful for our long-standing partnership with Subaru, built on a shared belief in the power of our national parks that is as important as ever,” said Dawn Rodney, chief external affairs officer at the National Park Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of Subaru, their retailers, and their customers, we’re able to provide the support needed to keep our parks vibrant and welcoming for today’s visitors and future generations.”

Click here to learn more about the Share the Love Event and Subaru’s longtime support of our national parks.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.

For the ninth consecutive year, KeyBank has been named a Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability (NOD), reaffirming the bank’s longstanding commitment to disability inclusion in the workplace.

In addition to this recognition, KeyBank was also honored with the NOD ERG Excellence Award for Making a Difference, which celebrates the leaders of employee resource groups (ERGs) who are making a measurable difference in advancing inclusion for people with disabilities.

Both awards were presented during NOD’s signature event, the Technology and Disability Experience, held in New York City on September 30, 2025. The event brought together leaders from across industries to showcase how technology is driving accessibility, inclusion, and opportunity for people with disabilities.

“Being recognized as a Leading Disability Employer for the ninth consecutive year, along with the leaders of our Champions of People with Disabilities ERG receiving the NOD ERG Excellence Award, is a tremendous honor for Key,” said Jessika Poldruhi, Chief Inclusion Officer, KeyBank. “These recognitions highlight not only our ongoing commitment, but also the leadership of our Champions of People with Disabilities ERG, whose work creates awareness, drives understanding and advances opportunities for teammates with disabilities in our workplace. Their dedication exemplifies how inclusive cultures empower all employees to thrive.”

KeyBank’s approach to disability inclusion includes:

• Supporting our employees who are impacted by disabilities including caregivers
• Strengthening our relationships with community organizations that support the disabled population
• Growing our Champions of People with Disabilities ERG
• Educating and partnering with other ERGs to provide cultural awareness, professional development, and community engagement activities

About KeyCorp

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $185 billion at June 30, 2025. 

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC. 

For the ninth consecutive year, KeyBank has been named a Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability (NOD), reaffirming the bank’s longstanding commitment to disability inclusion in the workplace.

In addition to this recognition, KeyBank was also honored with the NOD ERG Excellence Award for Making a Difference, which celebrates the leaders of employee resource groups (ERGs) who are making a measurable difference in advancing inclusion for people with disabilities.

Both awards were presented during NOD’s signature event, the Technology and Disability Experience, held in New York City on September 30, 2025. The event brought together leaders from across industries to showcase how technology is driving accessibility, inclusion, and opportunity for people with disabilities.

“Being recognized as a Leading Disability Employer for the ninth consecutive year, along with the leaders of our Champions of People with Disabilities ERG receiving the NOD ERG Excellence Award, is a tremendous honor for Key,” said Jessika Poldruhi, Chief Inclusion Officer, KeyBank. “These recognitions highlight not only our ongoing commitment, but also the leadership of our Champions of People with Disabilities ERG, whose work creates awareness, drives understanding and advances opportunities for teammates with disabilities in our workplace. Their dedication exemplifies how inclusive cultures empower all employees to thrive.”

KeyBank’s approach to disability inclusion includes:

• Supporting our employees who are impacted by disabilities including caregivers
• Strengthening our relationships with community organizations that support the disabled population
• Growing our Champions of People with Disabilities ERG
• Educating and partnering with other ERGs to provide cultural awareness, professional development, and community engagement activities

About KeyCorp

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $185 billion at June 30, 2025. 

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC. 

Originally published on PSEG NewsRoom

NEWARK, N.J., December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – PSEG Long Island and Public Service Electric & Gas, New Jersey’s largest utility, were the two highest ranked utilities in customer satisfaction among large electric utility business customers in the East, according to the J.D. Power 2025 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study^SM. PSEG Long Island took the #1 spot, capping off an 11-year rise from the bottom of the survey rankings when PSEG took over operation of the electric grid in 2014, making it the most most-improved electric service provider in the nation. Meanwhile, PSE&G received the #2 ranking, rising from the #5 spot in 2024.

Ralph LaRossa, PSEG chair, president and CEO, congratulated both the PSEG Long Island and PSE&G teams for their recognition by J.D. Power, noting the achievements were earned through collaboration, trust, and shared commitment to serving our customers.

“It’s also a testimony of the power and strength of the PSEG brand, which stands for a proud tradition of providing safe and reliable energy to customers since 1903,” said LaRossa. “A tradition that the workforces on Long Island as well as in New Jersey embody every single day.”

“These collective results reflect the value of PSEG and our continued focus on delivering exceptional customer service,” said Kim Hanemann, PSE&G President and Chief Operating Officer. “We thank our business customers for trusting us to meet their evolving energy needs.”

J.D. Power surveyed 18,132 business customers nationwide. The “Large East” category of the study includes major electric utilities operating in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

“Since we started in 2014, PSEG Long Island has worked nonstop to improve the experience for the 1.2 million electric customers we serve on Long Island and in the Rockaways—including more than 130,000 commercial customers,” said David Lyons, interim president and COO of PSEG Long Island. “After a decade of diligent improvements leveraging the expertise of PSE&G, it is a true honor to be ranked highest in business customer satisfaction among utilities in 12 states.”

PSE&G works hard to be a trusted energy advisor for our business customers. This year we launched Business Connect, an initiative that includes webinars, events and door-to door visits.

We know our business customers have unique needs, and we have a dedicated call center of trained professional to respond to their questions and concerns.  We also provide a monthly newsletter with information on saving energy and money, convenient digital customer service options, and our variety of energy efficiency programs.

“At PSE&G, we are committed to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do,” said Dave Johnson, senior vice president, chief customer experience officer at PSE&G. “We work hard to connect with them and provide programs, tools and resources to help manage energy use and costs.”

PSEG Long Island offers many programs and incentives for business customers, including free energy assessments; economic development grants and bill credit programs; energy efficiency rebates, and electric vehicle (EV) and EV charger incentives. PSEG Long Island also launched several economic development initiatives in 2018, providing more than $2.8 million since then to support local business owners through our Business First Program. This Program includes the Main Street Revitalization grants, Vacant Space Revival program, and Community Thrive Program grant. To learn more about the business support offered by PSEG Long Island, visit psegliny.com/businessfirst.

About PSE&G
Public Service Electric & Gas Co. is New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, as well as one of the nation’s largest utilities. PSE&G has won the ReliabilityOne® Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region for 24 consecutive years. For the third consecutive year, PSE&G is the recipient of the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award in the Energy Efficiency Program Delivery category. In addition, in 2024 J.D. Power named PSE&G number one in customer satisfaction with residential electric service and gas service in the east among large utilities. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 17 consecutive years (www.pseg.com).

PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company. (www.psegliny.com)

Originally published on PSEG NewsRoom

NEWARK, N.J., December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – PSEG Long Island and Public Service Electric & Gas, New Jersey’s largest utility, were the two highest ranked utilities in customer satisfaction among large electric utility business customers in the East, according to the J.D. Power 2025 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study^SM. PSEG Long Island took the #1 spot, capping off an 11-year rise from the bottom of the survey rankings when PSEG took over operation of the electric grid in 2014, making it the most most-improved electric service provider in the nation. Meanwhile, PSE&G received the #2 ranking, rising from the #5 spot in 2024.

Ralph LaRossa, PSEG chair, president and CEO, congratulated both the PSEG Long Island and PSE&G teams for their recognition by J.D. Power, noting the achievements were earned through collaboration, trust, and shared commitment to serving our customers.

“It’s also a testimony of the power and strength of the PSEG brand, which stands for a proud tradition of providing safe and reliable energy to customers since 1903,” said LaRossa. “A tradition that the workforces on Long Island as well as in New Jersey embody every single day.”

“These collective results reflect the value of PSEG and our continued focus on delivering exceptional customer service,” said Kim Hanemann, PSE&G President and Chief Operating Officer. “We thank our business customers for trusting us to meet their evolving energy needs.”

J.D. Power surveyed 18,132 business customers nationwide. The “Large East” category of the study includes major electric utilities operating in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

“Since we started in 2014, PSEG Long Island has worked nonstop to improve the experience for the 1.2 million electric customers we serve on Long Island and in the Rockaways—including more than 130,000 commercial customers,” said David Lyons, interim president and COO of PSEG Long Island. “After a decade of diligent improvements leveraging the expertise of PSE&G, it is a true honor to be ranked highest in business customer satisfaction among utilities in 12 states.”

PSE&G works hard to be a trusted energy advisor for our business customers. This year we launched Business Connect, an initiative that includes webinars, events and door-to door visits.

We know our business customers have unique needs, and we have a dedicated call center of trained professional to respond to their questions and concerns.  We also provide a monthly newsletter with information on saving energy and money, convenient digital customer service options, and our variety of energy efficiency programs.

“At PSE&G, we are committed to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do,” said Dave Johnson, senior vice president, chief customer experience officer at PSE&G. “We work hard to connect with them and provide programs, tools and resources to help manage energy use and costs.”

PSEG Long Island offers many programs and incentives for business customers, including free energy assessments; economic development grants and bill credit programs; energy efficiency rebates, and electric vehicle (EV) and EV charger incentives. PSEG Long Island also launched several economic development initiatives in 2018, providing more than $2.8 million since then to support local business owners through our Business First Program. This Program includes the Main Street Revitalization grants, Vacant Space Revival program, and Community Thrive Program grant. To learn more about the business support offered by PSEG Long Island, visit psegliny.com/businessfirst.

About PSE&G
Public Service Electric & Gas Co. is New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, as well as one of the nation’s largest utilities. PSE&G has won the ReliabilityOne® Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region for 24 consecutive years. For the third consecutive year, PSE&G is the recipient of the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award in the Energy Efficiency Program Delivery category. In addition, in 2024 J.D. Power named PSE&G number one in customer satisfaction with residential electric service and gas service in the east among large utilities. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 17 consecutive years (www.pseg.com).

PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company. (www.psegliny.com)

Originally published on Medium by Mastercard Strive
By Subhashini (Shuba) Chandran, senior vice president, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and Leena Datwani, senior advisor, She Leads Bharat:Udyam

She Leads Bharat: Udyam (SLB:U), a Mastercard Strive initiative implemented by Frontier Markets in collaboration with Airtel Payments Bank, aims to diversify and elevate the incomes of rural women-owned micro and small enterprises (MSEs) through a technology platform. Between August 2023 and February 2025, the initiative successfully onboarded 15,000 women MSEs onto the Meri Saheli app through which they earn commissions for products and services sold. Ten thousand have also been onboarded as women banking correspondents (BCs) on Airtel Payments Bank’s Mitra app through which they earn commissions for banking transactions conducted for customers at the last mile.

SLB:U sits at the intersection of helping rural women entrepreneurs find stable and diversified income sources while also addressing the significant opportunity for scalable last mile delivery. It strengthens last mile distribution while improving economic mobility for women. Early evidence suggests that user-centric technology coupled with comprehensive training programs and sustained support, diversified products and services, and community networks can enable income elevation and resilience while serving rural communities in a replicable and scalable manner.

Continue reading here.

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

Originally published on Medium by Mastercard Strive
By Subhashini (Shuba) Chandran, senior vice president, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and Leena Datwani, senior advisor, She Leads Bharat:Udyam

She Leads Bharat: Udyam (SLB:U), a Mastercard Strive initiative implemented by Frontier Markets in collaboration with Airtel Payments Bank, aims to diversify and elevate the incomes of rural women-owned micro and small enterprises (MSEs) through a technology platform. Between August 2023 and February 2025, the initiative successfully onboarded 15,000 women MSEs onto the Meri Saheli app through which they earn commissions for products and services sold. Ten thousand have also been onboarded as women banking correspondents (BCs) on Airtel Payments Bank’s Mitra app through which they earn commissions for banking transactions conducted for customers at the last mile.

SLB:U sits at the intersection of helping rural women entrepreneurs find stable and diversified income sources while also addressing the significant opportunity for scalable last mile delivery. It strengthens last mile distribution while improving economic mobility for women. Early evidence suggests that user-centric technology coupled with comprehensive training programs and sustained support, diversified products and services, and community networks can enable income elevation and resilience while serving rural communities in a replicable and scalable manner.

Continue reading here.

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.