Coupon step-up

    ESG & Governance

    An increase in a bond's interest rate that applies if the issuer misses its sustainability performance target.

    The step-up is the usual penalty in a sustainability-linked bond, and it often amounts to a fraction of a percentage point for the remaining life of the bond. It works as an incentive only if missing the target costs more than meeting it. Check whether the issuer can call the bond before the observation date, which would let it avoid the step-up.

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