A $1.8 trillion segment of the sustainable debt market is defying broader ESG slowdowns as investors flock to social bonds, particularly those issued by U.S. government agencies. Despite former President Donald Trump’s rollback on green policies, demand for these bonds continues to surge, fueled by their focus on housing, health, and education.

Social Bonds Outpace Green Bonds

According to Bloomberg Intelligence, global sales of social bonds surged by 130% to $657 billion in 2023, nearly matching the traditionally dominant green bond market. In the first quarter of 2024, issuance has remained strong, suggesting the trend will persist.

These bonds have become a haven for ESG investors looking beyond climate-related controversies. Social bonds now total $1.8 trillion in outstanding debt, compared to $3.9 trillion in green bonds.

U.S. Government Agencies Fuel the Boom

The Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) has played a key role in the social bond market's expansion. By broadening its debt program and relabeling existing securities as social bonds, Ginnie Mae has led the charge in financing low-income housing and veteran support programs.

$149 billion in new deals in 2024 so far
Ginnie Mae accounts for nearly two-thirds of these issuances
Other major issuers include France’s Social Debt Fund, the International Finance Corp., and Korea Housing Finance Corp.

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Strong Returns & Growing Investor Appetite

The ICE Social Bond Index has outperformed green bonds, delivering a 3.6% return this year.
Banks like JPMorgan Chase and BNP Paribas are underwriting major social bond deals.
Standard Chartered Plc issued its first €1 billion ($1.1 billion) social bond to support small businesses, including women-owned enterprises in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Investor appetite is growing as social bonds offer high credit quality, with more than 50% rated AA or higher, according to Fidelity International’s social bond fund.

The Global Financing Gap

The United Nations estimates that $4 trillion per year is needed to meet global sustainable development goals, particularly in education, healthcare, and social protection. While Asia-Pacific accounted for only $7.6 billion in social bond sales this year, analysts predict that emerging markets will see increased investment as large asset managers expand their presence.

Jeffrey Lee of Moody’s Ratings believes the rising number of transactions in frontier markets could drive growth, even if total issuance remains concentrated in developed economies.

What’s Next?

Political uncertainty may impact U.S. social bond markets if Trump’s policies target government-backed programs.
More private sector players may enter the market, boosting demand for social bonds.
Emerging markets could see an uptick in impact investing as large firms expand globally.

With social bonds outperforming and demand rising, they remain a resilient investment category in an otherwise uncertain ESG landscape.

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