Insight

Corporate bankers become transformation partners – with an ESG certification

More and more regional banks are turning to us because they want and need to adjust their corporate banking business to the growing sustainability requirements laid out for companies. Corporate bankers want to prepare for their changed role. That’s why we have been offering an ESG certification for corporate bankers in collaboration with Steinbeis University since 2023. Around 250 participants have already successfully completed this training in the first year – they are now well prepared for their new role as partners for the ongoing sustainability transformation:

a woman standing in front of a group of people

Traditional corporate banker role

Single point of contact for the company

Intermediary to the bank’s specialists

Sparring partner for business model-related issues

Credit officer for the client

“Interpreter” of the credit rating (incl. levers)

Expanded transformation partner role

Sparring partner for ESG impact-related issues

Information provider regarding financing options

“Interpreter” of the ESG score (incl. levers)

Guide through legislation and market trends

Intermediary to energy consultants and other ESG experts

The topic of sustainability is thus becoming a key element in the bank’s relationship with its corporate clients and is integrated into the bank’s day-to-day advisory and support services:

Portfolio and account planning

Corporate banker monitors ESG opportunities and risks in the client portfolio

Client meeting preparation

Corporate banker analyzes the ESG impact to define any resulting client needs

Meeting structure

Client and corporate banker discuss ESG as equals. They jointly define the company’s ESG compliance as well as further transformation and financing needs, including the introduction of sustainable new products or services

Meeting follow-up

Corporate banker records ESG findings in client profile and adds new and relevant ESG data to the client database

Controlling and management

Bank continuously monitors its loan portfolio for ESG risks