Commerzbank Embraces Equator Principles to Enhance Sustainable and Responsible Financing

Commerzbank Embraces Equator Principles to Enhance Sustainable and Responsible Financing

(IN BRIEF) Commerzbank has signed on to the Equator Principles, a voluntary set of ten guidelines aimed at addressing environmental, social, human rights, and climate risks in project financing. This move underscores the bank’s commitment to sustainable finance and responsible banking practices. With 128 financial institutions in 38 countries already adhering to these principles as of year-end 2024, Commerzbank’s decision highlights its dedication to integrating responsible financing practices into its operations, ultimately benefiting local communities and the environment. Chief Sustainability Officer Bettina Storck emphasized that this step is a crucial part of the bank’s broader ESG strategy.

(PRESS RELEASE) FRANKFURT, 3-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Commerzbank has officially adopted the Equator Principles, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable finance and responsible banking. These principles—a voluntary set of ten guidelines embraced by financial institutions—are designed to mitigate environmental, social, human rights, and climate risks in project financing. As of the end of 2024, 128 Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs) in 38 countries have implemented these standards.

“Our adoption of the Equator Principles reaffirms our pledge to sustainable finance and responsible banking practices,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Bettina Storck. “We believe that by embedding these principles into our project financing, we can positively impact the communities and environments that surround the projects we support.” By integrating these guidelines into its Corporate Clients business, Commerzbank commits to carrying out its project-related financing in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable manner, further strengthening its long-established ESG strategy.

About Commerzbank

With its two business segments – Corporate Clients and Private and Small-Business Customers –, Commerzbank, as a full-service bank, offers a comprehensive portfolio of financial services. It is the leading bank for the German Mittelstand and a strong partner for around 24,000 corporate client groups. Commerzbank transacts approximately 30% of Germany’s foreign trade financing. The Bank is present internationally in more than 40 countries in the corporate clients’ business – wherever its Mittelstand clients, large corporates, and institutional clients need it. In addition, Commerzbank supports its international clients with a business relationship to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland and companies operating in selected future-oriented industries. With more than €400 bn assets under management, Commerzbank is also one of the leading banks for private and small-business customers in Germany. Under the brand Commerzbank, it offers a wide range of products and services with an omni-channel approach: online and mobile, via phone or video in the remote advisory centre, and personally in its around 400 branches. Under the brand comdirect, it offers all core services as a digital primary bank 24/7 and, as a performance broker, solutions for saving, investing, and securities trading. Its Polish subsidiary mBank S.A. is an innovative digital bank that serves approximately 5.8 million private and corporate customers, predominantly in Poland, as well as in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

About Equator Principles

The Equator Principles (EPs) are intended to serve as a common baseline and risk management framework for financial institutions to identify, assess and manage environmental and social risks when financing projects. Large infrastructure and industrial projects can have adverse impacts on people and on the environment. Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs) implement the 10 Equator Principles through their internal environmental and social risk management policies, procedures and standards in order to align with the Equator Principles. EPFIs may (at their own discretion) choose to utilise the Equator Principles for additional financial products outside the scope of the Equator Principles.

Media Contacts:

Commerzbank:
Angela Hütter
Phone +49 69 9353-45736
newsroom@commerzbank.com

Equator Principles:
Courtenay Smith
Phone: +44 7764 435-921

SOURCE: Commerzbank