The World Bank has raised EUR 21.4 million from retail investors in Italy through a new five-year Sustainable Development Bond, according to a World Bank press release. Offered between 2 and 24 March 2026 via UniCredit Bank GmbH, the bond pays a minimum annual gross fixed rate of 1.95% and requires a minimum investment of EUR 1,000. Proceeds will fund eligible sustainable development activities aimed at generating positive social and environmental impact in developing countries.
World Bank Vice President and Treasurer Jorge Familiar said retail investors play an important role in the bank’s funding base, and that Italians buying this bond are connecting their savings to real development impact. The financing supports job creation, inclusive growth, and improved livelihoods across World Bank member countries — the core of its mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. UniCredit is facilitating the connection between individual savers and global development.
The bond will be listed and traded on the Mercato Telematico delle Obbligazioni (MOT), EuroMOT segment, organized by Borsa Italiana. The World Bank, rated Aaa/AAA, has a long track record of tapping retail markets in Europe to mobilize private capital for development, offering investors both financial returns and tangible impact.
