UNEP Finance Initiative is providing a platform for banks to exchange experiences and ideas as they take action to support society and businesses in this unprecedented crisis.

To help support their customers and in turn communities in the most effective ways, UNEP Finance Initiative’s coalition of over 220 banks from over 60 countries has been sharing practices, solutions and lessons learned as they respond to the COVID-19 crisis and its economic impacts.

Delivering on their commitments under the global sustainable banking framework, the Principles for Responsible Banking, UNEP Finance Initiative member banks and signatories around the world are playing a crucial role in supporting our societies through the current crisis. They are taking extraordinary measures to support their corporate clients, retail customers, governments and communities and UNEP Finance Initiative is helping to facilitate a global knowledge exchange so that banks can learn from one another and rise to the challenges across the world. The table below is a selection of examples from Principles for Responsible Banking signatories in every region around the globe of how they are:

  • Supporting companies, large and small, to sustain their business during and beyond this crisis in line with Principle 3 of the Principles for Responsible Banking which commits banks to “work responsibly with clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable economic activities that create shared prosperity for current and future generations.”
  • Partnering with governments in managing the economic and social impacts of the measures taken to contain the spread of the virus in line with Principle 4, to “proactively and responsibly consult, engage and partner with relevant stakeholders to achieve society’s goals.”
  • Ensuring access to the key financial services and infrastructure that society relies on for everyday life.

UNEP FI is inviting the signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking to share their responsible COVID-19 measures with us and looking at providing other ways for our members to share their experiences. Please email Oualid Rokneddine with your bank’s information.

For more information regarding our signatory banks’ COVID-19 measures, please click here.