From zeroes to heroes? How banks hold the key to rescuing the economy and pushing the ESG agenda

Shaking off the post-GFC shackles to reboot industry

The irony is not lost on us that banks were the undisputed villains of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09 and using pro ESG rhetoric around such institutions could raise a few eyebrows.

However, as ESG considerations from asset owners and policymakers grow, it seems a natural consequence of this would be for greater emphasis to be placed on ESG within banking regulation. Especially given these financial institutions are the main conduits of credit into the economy and a key lever that policymakers can use to influence sustainability policies. Similarly, following a decade of reform, the banks that entered this latest recession are not the same banks that entered the last - and they ultimately hold the key to rescuing the economy, and their villainous history offers inve...