Pan European Commercial Bank UniCredit announced today the launch of the ESG Gender Equality Certificate, a new investment product targeted at Wealth Management and Private Banking customers in Italy.

Certificates are investment securities that are tied to an underlying instrument, such as an index or a stock. UniCredit’s newly issued certificates will be tied to the UBS Gender Equality ETF, which tracks the Solactive Equileap Global Gender Equality 100 Leaders index. The index aims to invest in the top companies leading the field in terms of gender equality internationally, based on criteria centered on gender balance in leadership & workforce, equal compensation & work life balance, policies promoting gender equality, and commitment to transparency and accountability.

The new certificates are designed with 90% capital protection, a cap of 19% and term of 5 years, aiming to provide a controlled equity risk element against a scenario of  very low-yields.

Mirko Bianchi, CEO of UniCredit Group Wealth Management & Private Banking, said:

“By issuing Gender Equality solutions we are offering investors in Italy, Germany and Austria the opportunity to benefit from systematic investment in global companies with cutting-edge governance systems and the potential for strong returns. By combining general criteria on gender equality and sustainability, this certificate represents a step forward in linking investments to the UN pillars for sustainable development, focused on ESG themes. UniCredit’s commitment to ESG and its strategic objectives in this area demonstrate how sustainability is part of the Group’s DNA, having chosen to fully integrate it into its corporate strategies. We see diversity as an asset for society, which can also generate a positive economic return for companies that know how to value it and carry it forward with determination and consistency. Managing our clients’ assets must now involve a selection of sustainable investments that contribute to create a better society for future generations.”

UniCredit stated that the Gender Equality Certificate will be launched by UniCredit during the Group’s diversity and inclusion week, which begins today.