Singapore’s banks are rapidly expanding their sustainable finance portfolios, issuing green bonds and ESG-focused loans to meet growing corporate and investor demand.
DBS, OCBC, and UOB have all stepped up efforts in green financing, with DBS recently issuing a USD 1.5 billion green bond targeted at renewable energy projects across Asia. OCBC has launched a lending framework to incentivize companies that meet sustainability benchmarks, while UOB has partnered with regional governments on financing clean energy infrastructure.
Investors have also shown strong appetite for ESG-linked products. In 2024 alone, Singapore’s green bond issuances exceeded SGD 12 billion, double the previous year.
According to MAS, the city-state aims to become a regional hub for sustainable finance, channeling over SGD 100 billion into green projects by 2030. The rapid adoption of ESG criteria is reshaping how banks evaluate risk and opportunity, positioning Singapore as a global leader in sustainable banking.