Making a Difference: Why Sustainable Finance Is Here to Stay

Insights from Markus Ecker, Head of Sustainable Finance at Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI)
Published October 31, 2025 | Sustainability Magazine

What is Sustainable Finance at RBI?

RBI sets sustainable finance as a key goal. RBI aligns its work with social and environmental goals. It helps all client groups to move toward greener practices. Every word connects to bring clear meaning.

Key plans include:

• RBI executes many ESG transactions.
• RBI issues green bonds.
• RBI checks retail clients’ carbon footprints in several countries.
• RBI applies clear ESG policies and plans for each sector.
• RBI builds an ESG scoring model to spot risks.
• RBI starts a policy to cut financed emissions by 2030. ---

Sustainable Finance Solutions Offered by RBI

For corporate and institutional clients, RBI gives clear advice. The bank helps choose the right financing tools such as:

• Bonds, loans, and guarantees that link to ESG goals, green aims, or social benefits.
• Tips that boost ESG performance and ratings.

For retail banking, RBI cares for customers’ money and the planet. RBI offers:

• RaiCare, a tool that tracks income and spending while showing future trends.
• A carbon footprint tool that tracks CO2 and helps cut emissions.

These products mix financial health with climate care and guide greener lives.

Role of Green and Social Bonds at RBI

Green and social bonds form a key part of RBI’s plans. RBI began Austria’s first green bond program in 2018. It later grew this work across Central and Eastern Europe. In 2023, RBI set up a bond plan for green, social, or sustainable needs. By 2024, RBI led the green bond market in the region. It worked with banks in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, and Slovakia. RBI also ran the first sustainability bond for Lower Austria in 2024. Beyond these steps, RBI guides clients at every stage. Its clear methods help all issuers join the sustainable bond market.

RBI’s Strengths in Sustainable Finance

RBI’s power comes from its diverse Sustainable Finance team. The team shows skills from 14 cultures and 17 languages. They share specialized knowledge and work together with great care. They lead the ESG Ambassador Network, set up in 2019, to boost skills in RBI’s CEE banks. This team keeps a uniform, group-wide sustainable finance method. They share tips and best ways across all areas of work.

Future Outlook: Sustainable Finance is Here to Stay

Markus Ecker says that sustainable finance drives long-term growth. Yet, there are hurdles. RBI faces:

• High upfront costs with slow financial rewards.
• More checks on borrowers’ and issuers’ ESG risks and results.
• A stronger focus on work that cuts carbon in high-emitting sectors.

Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal and global plans will boost the demand for capital that drives clear climate and social changes.

Conclusion

RBI shows a clear path in sustainable finance. Its advice, smart products, strong bond work, and expert teams show that sustainable finance is not a trend. It is a deep change in banking and investment.

For further insights and to accelerate your sustainable business growth, access RBI’s latest ESG scorecard and whitepaper.

Tags: Sustainable Finance, Green Finance, ESG, Raiffeisen Bank International
Author: Markus Ecker, Head of Sustainable Finance, RBI
Source: Sustainability Magazine

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