Moody's upgrades BOCOM BBM's rating to international investment grade
In September, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded BOCOM BBM’s global rating (local and foreign currency) from Ba1 to Baa3. As a result, the Bank reached the international investment grade, being one of only four in Brazil with this classification. On the national scale, Moody’s Local Brasil reaffirmed, in April, the “AAA.br” rating with a “stable” outlook, the best credit rating in this category.
Renminbi loan transaction is a finalist an award
The successful conclusion of the first loan in Chinese currency (renminbi) in Brazil, carried out in partnership by BOCOM BBM, Bank of China, Deutsche Bank and ICBC (Asia), led the energy company SPIC Brasil to the finals of the Golden Tombstone Award 2024, granted by IBEF-SP (Brazilian Institute of Finance Executives of São Paulo). The operation was carried out through the CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System).
New Investment Funds | Infra-Exempt Funds Family
In 2024, we expanded our portfolio with the launch of two investment funds managed by the Bank’s Asset Management unit: BOCOM BBM Infra IPCA and BOCOM BBM Infra 90.
Infra IPCA
Seeks medium and long-term returns with a target of IMA–B 5 + 0.5% to 1%, through investment in infrastructure assets, exempt from income tax. The portfolio consists mainly of local private debt securities and, to a lesser extent, government bonds. The redemption period is 30 days.
Infra 90
Seeks medium and long-term returns with a target of IMA–B 5 + 1.5% to 2%. The investments are aimed at opportunities in the private credit market, especially in infrastructure assets, with exemption from income tax for individuals. It has a 90-day redemption period, making it possible to capture liquidity premiums and differentiated returns.
Historic transaction jointly with BoCom Shanghai
BOCOM BBM carried out the first debt operation for non-Chinese companies in Brazil through a BoCom subsidiary in China. In partnership with BoCom Shanghai, a US$ 300 million Export Pre-payment (PPE) operation was carried out for Vale, with a payment term of five years. The unprecedented transaction is another historic milestone for the Brazil-China relationship conducted by Banco BOCOM BBM.
Asset reaches BRL 3.3 billion under management
In 2024, the BOCOM BBM Asset Management surpassed the BRL 3.3 billion under management milestone. This total represents a growth of 43% compared to the previous year.
Specialized in the management of private credit investment funds, our Asset currently has seven funds created to meet the different needs of clients, with the differential of our experience in quantitative risk, macroeconomic research, credit analysis and monitoring.
Collection receives work by Eduardo Kobra
We have made an important acquisition to our collection with the canvas “Faces de uma integração”, created by Eduardo Kobra, one of today’s most renowned visual artists. The work depicts respect, tolerance and diversity. Displayed at the main entrance of our headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, the painting was presented at an exclusive event for employees.
International Cooperation Forum
In September, the China and Brazil Securities and Fixed Income Market International Cooperation Forum was held. The event was organized by BOCOM BBM, Itaú Asset Management, ICBC Brasil and B3.
The Bank participated in the Discussions Panel, in which topics such as perspectives of the Chinese and Brazilian economies, internationalization of the RMB and integration of the capital markets of China and Brazil were addressed. The event was attended by executives from BOCOM BBM.
Cooperation agreement
The Brazilian Association of Banks (ABBC) and the Macau Association of Banks signed a cooperation agreement to stimulate trade relations between Brazil and China, through the commercial banks of the two countries.
The partnership was formalized during the 2nd Cooperation Conference between Commercial Banks of Macau and Portuguese-speaking Countries at the Guangdong-Hong-Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Investment Forum. The Vice President of ABBC and Executive Vice President of BOCOM BBM, Cassio von Gal, was in Macau to sign the commitment.
Financial Forum
In March, we attended the China-Brazil Financial Forum, held in Beijing. The event, organized by the Ministry of Finance of China, together with the Development Bank of China and in partnership with the Ministry of Finance of Brazil, had as its theme “Strengthening Financial Support for a Sustainable Brazil-China Economic Cooperation”.
The initiative was attended by government representatives, financial institutions and large companies from both countries. The Executive President of BOCOM BBM, Alexandre Lowenkron, was the coordinator of the session on “Financial Integration and Cooperation in the Use of Local Currencies for Payment Settlement”.
Running events
The BOCOM BBM team once again showed its determination and sportsmanship at the Circuito das Estações race, in Rio de Janeiro, and Meia de Sampa, in São Paulo. Our athletes took part in courses ranging from 5 to 21 km.
Panda Cup
In the 9th edition of the Panda Cup, our employees from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro were able to put their volleyball, football and beach tennis skills into practice. Created to promote cooperation and integration between BOCOM BBM teams, the tournament is organized so that everyone can have a day especially dedicated to relaxation, health and well-being.
Semana Fluxo and Career Fair at UFRJ
BOCOM BBM was present at the 19th Semana Fluxo and at the 5th Polytechnic School Career Fair, a career and networking event organized by Fluxo Consultoria, a student-run consultancy from UFRJ’s Polytechnic School, in Rio de Janeiro. We took part in the cycle of lectures and workshops, addressing the themes “Capital Markets and the National Financial System” and “Modern Data Stack: Enhancing the use of data in a corporate environment”.
Sponsorship renewed until 2028
We sponsor the athlete Hugo Calderano, one of the best table tennis players in the world, and closely follow his achievements. In 2024, the Brazilian athlete reached the table tennis semi-finals at the Paris Olympics and once returned to the third place in the World Table Tennis (WTT) ranking. In addition, he was the individual winner of the Pan American Championship, held in El Salvador, and became a five-time champion in the history of this tournament.
Hugo Calderano has had his sponsorship agreement with BOCOM BBM renewed until 2028. With this, we reaffirm our partnership and the Bank’s commitment to encouraging sports in the country.
Our sponsorship policy is aimed at supporting educational, cultural, sports and environmental initiatives. Check out the highlights:
Arte Tech Project
The Arte Tech project aims to develop sociocultural perception, creativity and logical reasoning among children and adolescents served by the NGO Gamboa Ação, through weekly classes in digital creation, English and chess. This is the third year we are supporting the project, showing once again how the social development of Rio de Janeiro’s port region is one of our top priorities.
Knowledge Exchange
BOCOM BBM once again supported the Global Hybrid Classroom program, developed by Tsinghua University, Beijing. The initiative promotes knowledge exchange and collaboration between educational institutions around the world. In 2024, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) participated in the program by offering the online course “Mastering Social Foresight: Navigating Future Challenges”.
Training for developers
We maintained our support for 42 Rio, a free developer training school in Rio de Janeiro, with a different methodology for exchanging experiences between students and alumni. In 2024, we had the participation of four students who developed a project in collaboration with the Bank, giving them the opportunity to experience the labor market. BOCOM BBM has been a partner of the initiative since the first class.
Casa Pacheco Leão
We sponsored the restoration of Casa Pacheco Leão, one of the most emblematic historical buildings of the Botanical Garden in Rio de Janeiro. After six months of work, the space is now open to the public for cultural activities. The inauguration ceremony was attended by authorities such as Gabriel Galípolo, then director of Monetary Policy at the Central Bank of Brazil and now president of the institution, Margareth Menezes, Minister of Culture, Zhu Qingqiao, China’s Ambassador to Brazil, and Alexandre Lowenkron, Executive President of BOCOM BBM. The project received an investment of BRL 2.7 million via the Rouanet Law, from the Ministry of Culture, in a partnership between BOCOM BBM and State Grid Brazil Holding.
“Tea Route – Botany, Culture and Tradition” Exhibition
The exhibition “Tea Route – Botany, Culture and Tradition”, inaugurated in November, will run until 2025 at Casa Pacheco Leão. The curatorship explores the role of tea in connecting cultures, celebrating the historical and cultural relationship between Brazil and China. The project was made possible by the Rouanet Law and had an investment of around BRL 1.4 million via sponsorship from BOCOM BBM and State Grid Brazil Holding.
Launch of the book “Troposphere Shared Artists Brazil and China”
We were sponsors of the book “Troposphere Shared Artists Brazil and China”, a project made possible by the Rouanet Law, in which the author Sarina Tang brings together works by 42 Brazilian and Chinese visual artists created in this century. The book was launched in November at Casa Pacheco Leão, in Rio de Janeiro.
Natal de Emoções (Christmas of Emotions)
In 2024, we continued to sponsor this initiative that benefits eight social institutions, distributing food and personal hygiene products. Christmas of Emotions is promoted by the NGO Viver Solidário, created by a former Bank employee. This NGO helps residents of Rio de Janeiro with various actions throughout the year.
Sports incentive – Destemidas project
We maintained our support for the Destemidas project, which serves girls and young women in Complexo da Maré, in Rio de Janeiro. The program uses running as a personal development tool, in addition to promoting awareness against sexual harassment and domestic violence through campaigns.
Cooperation for a sustainable world
We were present at the international conference “50 years of the Brazil-China relations: Cooperation for a sustainable world”, held in Brasilia, in April. The event was sponsored by BOCOM BBM and was promoted by the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI), in partnership with the National Top Think Tank and the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). The thematic panels focused on the role of Brazil and China in fighting inequalities and preserving the environment.
Gold Seal in the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program
In recognition of its efforts to quantify and manage emissions, BOCOM BBM obtained a Gold Seal for the publication of its 2023 Carbon Inventory in the Public Emissions Registry, an initiative of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV). This achievement recognizes the completeness of the direct emissions of the inventories drawn up in accordance with the global standard for measuring Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, reinforcing the Bank’s credibility and its commitment to sustainable practices.
