Report cover image

Strategic Intelligence: ESG in Banking in the Age of Trump

Publisher GlobalData
Published Jun 17, 2025
SKU # GBDT20187079

Description

Strategic Intelligence: ESG in Banking in the Age of Trump

Summary

In 2021, various bank CEOs declared ESG their number one strategic priority, rushed to outdo each other on ambitious net-zero claims, created new chief sustainability officer roles, brought in dedicated ESG headcount, and implemented wide-ranging diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Since then, the anti-ESG movement has grown steadily-sentiment that will only intensify under President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement hours after taking office, before scaling back DEI policies. This presents difficult strategic questions for all banks, but especially those that have placed big bets on ESG. Bank ESG policies are typically set against a mix of what other companies are doing, what an industry group says is best practice, and what a regulator has set as standard. But what should banks do when all of these are changing (and may all change again in three to four years with a new administration)? If banks do pull back some ESG policies, what blowback is likely from customers and/or employees, and around what specific elements of the broad ESG agenda?

This report identifies the key direct-to-consumer FS providers making their mark in the ESG theme. It offers a simple cross-sector definition of ESG and identifies the key gridlines of change expected to shape the evolution of ESG across the next 12–24 months. The industry analysis chapter shares a mix of consumer, executive, and investor survey data to map out how ESG sentiment has evolved globally over the last few years. Regional analysis covers the latest regulatory and political developments, highlighting how providers must calibrate ESG on a market-by-market basis. The value chain section maps out how organizational models are evolving to a deliver a more pragmatic, integrated, and lean ESG, before the report concludes with firm-level summaries covering the competitive position of leading players within the ESG theme.

Scope
  • For years, large banks have been strategically deploying fintech ecosystems to drive sustainability in their products and operations. Often referred to as sustainable digital finance, this category includes mobile payment platforms, crowdfunding, big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital tokens, and the Internet of Things.
  • GlobalData surveying indicates that ESG is the least important driver of provider choice across all markets, among all age groups and all wealth brackets.
  • Asia-Pacific is forecast to experience the largest increase in HNW demand for ESG investments going forward, with the US forecast to record the largest decrease.
Reasons to Buy
  • This report is essential reading for senior executives at financial services companies seeking to understand how to reassess and potentially recalibrate ESG efforts in accordance with evolving market conditions.
  • Discover how and why ESG consumer care-abouts and regulations vary significantly by region and segment, requiring a carefully calibrated approach from providers.
  • Learn how major FS institutions are taking a more pragmatic approach to ESG amid the evolving global landscape.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary
Players
GlobalData’s ESG Framework
Environment
Social
Governance
Trends
Technology trends
Macroeconomic trends
Social trends
Regulatory trends
Industry Analysis
ESG sentiment: global
Employee sentiment
Consumer sentiment
Investor sentiment
Regional overview
Region overview: Americas
Region overview: Asia-Pacific
Region overview: Europe
Region overview: Middle East and North Africa
Timeline
Value Chain
Senior leadership engagement
Dedicated ESG teams and departments
Collaboration and integration
Companies
Sector Scorecard
Retail banking sector scorecard
Who’s who
Thematic screen
Valuation screen
Risk screen
Further Reading
GlobalData reports
Our Thematic Research Methodology
About GlobalData
Contact Us
List of Tables
Table 1: Technology trends
Table 2: Macroeconomic trends
Table 3: Social trends
Table 4: Regulatory trends
Table 5: Companies
Table 6: GlobalData reports
List of Figures
Figure 1: Who are the leading players in the ESG theme in banking, and where do they sit in the value chain?
Figure 2: GlobalData’s ESG framework
Figure 3: GlobalData’s ESG framework for environmental factors
Figure 4: Financial services providers must reduce Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions
Figure 5: Financial services providers start at Scope 1 and 2 emissions, then move to Scope 3 and carbon offsets
Figure 6: GlobalData’s ESG framework for social factors
Figure 7: GlobalData’s ESG framework for governance factors
Figure 8: Executive sentiment suggests confidence in ESG is in steady decline
Figure 9: Consumer surveys suggest ESG is the least important driver of provider choice
Figure 10: Consumer surveys suggest ESG is the least important driver of provider choice
Figure 11: Regional overview
Figure 12: Many financial service providers have exited the net zero alliance
Figure 13: Consumers in the MENA region constitute a compelling financial inclusion opportunity
Figure 14: The ESG story
Figure 15: Key considerations when embedding ESG into bank operations
Figure 16: Three stylized organizational models for delivering ESG
Figure 17: Who does what in the retail banking space?
Figure 18: Thematic screen
Figure 19: Valuation screen
Figure 20: Risk screen
Figure 21: Our five-step approach for generating a sector scorecard

Search Inside Report

Pricing

Currency Rates
How Do Licenses Work?

How Do Licenses Work?

The primary function of a report license is to define how many people within a company are authorized to use the purchased report. This is separate to how a report might be delivered. Unless specifically identified otherwise, the purchase option is Single User. Below is a helpful description of that license, along with a sampling of others most commonly offered.

  • This license allows only one user to have access to and to use/read the report. It is not one user at a time or one user group; it is an individual who will be reading and utilizing the report.

  • This license allows for the entire purchasing company to read and use the report. This is the license level that would allow for a report to be placed on an internal company shared drive for access by all employees of that direct company. This license does not extend to parent or sister company use.

  • This license is designed to allow an entire department within a company full access to a report. The departmental license is a great option for companies that have more than one location and the department is spread out all over the country/world

  • This license is for companies that have one location where they want the report to be accessible by all employees within that physical location.

  • This is the most flexible of the licensing options. Some publishers will allow you to get a license for a preset number of people (typically 5). These licenses are ideal for small work groups.

License options are at the discretion of each publisher. As such, not all licenses indicated above are available for every product. If you are uncertain of the best license for your needs or would like a license that is not proactively available, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.

Request A Sample
Head shot

Questions or Comments?

Our team has the ability to search within reports to verify it suits your needs. We can also help maximize your budget by finding sections of reports you can purchase.
Chat Now
Contact Us