Green lending policy from the perspective of a holistic approach to bank risk

Abstract

Sustainable development, as a new political and economic doctrine of the global economy, has been manifesting for a long time in the energy transformation of the EU Member States. In July 2021, the European Commission renewed its sustainable finance strategy, pointing out that in the current decade, Europe will need additional investments to achieve its climate targets, expecting, in connection with their implementation, an increase in private sector expenditure. Financial institutions, including banks, joined this process. The article presents the results of a questionnaire survey conducted among representatives of the largest commercial banks in Poland, aimed at identifying the importance of greening their loan portfolios. The main aim of the paper is the exegesis of bank risk, taking into account the escalation due to factors that have destabilized banks’ lending activity in recent years, including the growing ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) risk. The following research methods were used: survey research, a literature review, observation method, synthesis method and cause-and-effect analysis – all of which enabled the adoption of the main research hypothesis (H1), which assumes that the constantly growing interest and involvement of domestic banks in green loans increases the regulatory mix of bank risk, becoming a serious challenge for the banking compliance function. The research results presented in the article indicate that banking institutions in Poland are increasing their involvement in the implementation of sustainable finance assumptions, and green investments have better chances of financing in commercial banks in Poland. However, despite the ongoing process of greening the credit portfolios of commercial banks in Poland, financing green investments does not change their approach to bank risk management.