ING’s Sustainable Finance Activity Jumps 28% in 2025

Why It Matters

The surge demonstrates banks can meet rising climate‑finance demand while exceeding internal targets, signalling robust market appetite and reinforcing ING’s competitive edge in sustainable banking.

Key Takeaways

• ING mobilised €166 bn sustainable finance in 2025
• Green‑loan transactions grew 45% year‑on‑year
• EMEA contributed 56% of total sustainable finance volume
• APAC achieved record volumes despite geopolitical challenges

Pulse Analysis

Sustainable finance is rapidly becoming a core revenue stream for major banks, and ING’s latest figures illustrate how a focused strategy can translate into measurable growth. By mobilising €166 bn in 2025, ING not only outpaced its own ambitious targets but also positioned itself ahead of many peers still grappling with scaling green products. This momentum reflects broader investor pressure and regulatory encouragement for climate‑aligned capital, prompting banks to embed sustainability into their underwriting and risk frameworks.

A notable shift in ING’s product mix highlights the rising prominence of green loans, which eclipsed sustainability‑linked loans in transaction count. The 45% jump in green‑loan deals signals that corporates are increasingly seeking dedicated financing for environmentally‑focused projects, such as renewable energy and energy‑efficiency upgrades. Meanwhile, regional dynamics reveal that EMEA remains the engine of volume, yet APAC’s record performance—despite trade tensions and policy uncertainty—suggests a maturing market that can sustain growth even under adverse conditions.

For the financial industry, ING’s results serve as a benchmark for integrating sustainability into core business models. The bank’s ability to offset political headwinds in the Americas with a surge in public‑sector social bonds demonstrates the resilience of diversified sustainable‑finance portfolios. As climate policies evolve and capital markets tighten their ESG criteria, banks that can deliver sizable, region‑balanced financing will likely capture greater client loyalty and attract ESG‑focused investors, reinforcing the long‑term profitability of sustainable finance initiatives.