In a world where sustainability is reshaping industries, how ready is your bank to lead rather than follow?

Regulatory pressures are rising, stakeholder expectations are evolving, and sustainability is no longer just a regulatory checkbox; it's the next frontier of competitive advantage in banking.

We gathered banking executives from The Netherlands and Belgium to tackle a powerful and timely question:

How can banks embed sustainability into their strategy and DNA, moving beyond compliance to true leadership?

This white paper summarises the results of those discussions and offers practical insights for financial institutions navigating this critical transition.

What’s inside?

Across two sessions, two countries, two cities, Amsterdam and Brussels, the message was clear: sustainability is not a cost. It’s an engine for innovation, resilience, and long-term growth. For banks, their clients, and society as a whole.

In this white paper, you’ll discover:

• How Dutch and Belgian banks are responding to the mounting complexity of sustainability regulation and where they diverge.
• Why abundant ESG data is not enough and how banks can shift the focus toward quality, standardisation, and actionable intelligence.
• How leading institutions are evolving from historical risk models to forward-looking ESG scenario planning.
• Why client engagement, not just internal compliance, is key to successful sustainability strategies.
• How collaboration, shared infrastructure, and a shift in corporate culture can turn sustainability from a compliance burden into a strategic asset.
• Key lessons from banks that are not just complying with change, but using it to strengthen their client relationships, manage risk, and seize new market opportunities.

Why download this paper?

If your organisation is serious about embedding sustainability into its business model, not simply reacting to regulatory pressure, this paper is an essential read.

You’ll gain:

🔹 A practical, cross-border perspective on sustainable finance from two leading European markets.
🔹 Insights into common challenges and innovative approaches to overcoming them.
🔹 A deeper understanding of how to integrate sustainability into risk frameworks, client engagement, and organisational culture.
🔹 Ideas on how banks can lead the green transition while strengthening resilience and unlocking future growth.

Whether you are a sustainability strategist, product manager, risk manager, or business leader, this white paper will equip you with the insights and inspiration needed to take the next step.