Sustainability linked loans are a type of financing that links the interest rate of a loan to the borrower’s performance on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. This type of loan can provide a financial incentive for borrowers to improve their ESG performance and can help to support sustainable business practices. It is increasingly important for banks, including small banks to link sustainability to their loans. This is because consumers, investors, and regulators are placing greater emphasis on sustainability and responsible corporate practices, and are looking for banks that are committed to supporting sustainable development and positive social and environmental impacts.

By offering this type of financing, even small banks can support the transition to a more sustainable economy and help their customers to reduce their environmental impact and improve their social and governance practices.

To introduce and provide sustainability linked loans banks should do the following:

1.    Develop a clear and comprehensive ESG strategy: Banks should develop a clear and comprehensive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy that outlines their goals, targets, and action plans for supporting sustainability and positive social and environmental impacts. This should include specific and measurable targets, as well as the resources and capabilities needed to achieve them.

2.    Incorporate sustainability criteria into loan underwriting and risk management processes: Banks should incorporate sustainability criteria into their loan underwriting and risk management processes, to ensure that they are lending to companies and projects that are aligned with their ESG goals and the needs and expectations of their stakeholders. This can help banks to support sustainable development and avoid financing projects that are likely to have negative social and environmental impacts.

3.    Engage with borrowers and other stakeholders: Banks should engage with their borrowers and other stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, regulators, and the community, to understand their ESG priorities and expectations, and to incorporate their feedback into their lending practices. This can help banks to align their lending practices with the needs and concerns of their stakeholders, and to support sustainable development.

4.    Measure, monitor, and report on ESG performance: Small banks should develop a robust system for measuring, monitoring, and reporting on their ESG performance, and make this information readily available to their stakeholders. This can help small banks to track their progress, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate their commitment to ESG excellence.

For small banks adopting the above steps could be daunting.

• They can partner for these types of sustainability linked instruments with larger banks or financial institutions that have expertise in this area. For example, a small bank could work with a larger bank to provide sustainability linked loans to its customers. The small bank would retain the relationship with the customer and provide the necessary financing, while the larger bank would provide guidance and support on the ESG criteria and performance metrics.
• Another way in which small banks can offer sustainability linked loans is by developing their own internal expertise and capabilities. This could involve training staff on ESG issues and implementing systems and processes to assess and monitor the ESG performance of borrowers. Small banks could also consider partnering with external organisations, such as non-profits or consultancies, to provide expertise and support in this area.
• In addition to providing sustainability linked loans directly to customers, small banks can also support the growth of this market by investing in sustainability linked loan funds or other financial products. By doing so, small banks can help to expand the availability of this type of financing and support the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Overall, small banks can link sustainability to their small loans by developing a clear and comprehensive ESG strategy, incorporating sustainability criteria into their loan underwriting and risk management processes, engaging with borrowers and other stakeholders, and measuring, monitoring, and reporting on their ESG performance. By taking these steps, small banks can support sustainable development and demonstrate their commitment to ESG excellence.