Harmful investments by BBVA June 2009
Loans In July 2005, BBVA participated for the sum of € 120 million in a seven year € 3 billion revolving credit to EADS. EADS, the second largest European arms producer, is involved in the production of nuclear weapons. In April 2008, BBVA participated in a € 2.8 billion 25 year loan facility to EADS, for an amount of € 240 million. In March 2008, BBVA participated for a sum of € 240 million in a € 2.8 billion loan facility, for the first phase of the FSTA project. This public-private partnership between the UK Ministry of Defence and AirTanker (40% owned by EADS) will provide an advanced air-to-air refuelling and air transport capability to the Royal Air Force. The HidroAysén hydropower project is a joint venture between the Chilean companies Colbún and Endesa Chile. In May 2006, BBVA participated in a US$ 320 million five-year loan to Colbún. In June 2008, BBVA participated for the sum of € 52 million in a € 257 million loan to Endesa Chile. In August 2008, BBVA participated for a sum of € 30 million in a five-year loan of € 267 million to Colbún. At the end of 2008, Endesa Chile had a long-term debt of € 96 million outstanding with BBVA. At the same time, Colbún had for € 304 million of bank loans outstanding with BBVA. The HydroAysén project plans to construct 5 hydroelectric centers with dams which will displace families, threaten critically endangered species and disrupt sustainable income to Patagonia’s local communities. Issuing of shares /
Issuing of bonds In September 2005, EADS launched a € 3 billion Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) Programme, replacing the € 3 billion EMTN from February 2003. The programme enables the company to issue bonds on the European capital market on a regular basis and without too many regulatory requirements. BBVA is one of the selected dealers for this programme.
The HidroAysén hydropower project is a joint venture between the Chilean companies Colbún and Endesa Chile. In May 2007, Colbún issued two series of bonds for € 89 million and € 178 million respectively. A large part of the proceeds was swapped into dollars by BBVA. In December 2008, BBVA led the issuing of bonds for Endesa Chile, worth € 253 million. BBVA underwrote this issue for € 119 million. Between April 2008 and March 2009, BBVA underwrote three bond issues for Wal-Mart, for € 26.1 million, € 7.7 million and € 10.1 million respectively. The US supermarket chain Wal-Mart censors trade union information, sacks members of trade unions, and even closes entire stores to block the unionisation of the workforce.
Shareholdings BBVA owns or manages shares in eight of the researched companies, for a total value of US$ 686,78 million.
Colbún
US$
71,09 million
EADS
US$
0,20 million
Endesa Chile
US$
550,18 million
Freeport McMoRan
US$
0,22 million
Suncor Energy
US$
0,06 million
Total S.A.
US$
61,12 million
Vedanta Resources
US$
0,08 million
Wal-mart Stores
US$
3,83 million
Sources: European banks financing controversial companies, Profundo (research paper for Netwerk Vlaanderen), June 2009 ; Shareholdings of some European Banks in controversial companies, Profundo (research paper for Netwerk Vlaanderen), June 2009.