Impact Banking
With the help of Impact Banking, we and our clients are contributing to the transformation to a sustainable economy
What does impact banking mean? A definition.
"Impact Banking" aims to promote sustainable projects. With our commitment, we want to support those companies and organisations that generate the greatest possible positive impact on our environment, for example through climate or environmental protection measures. These include, for example, the promotion of renewable energies or the greening of buildings. Another dimension is "social impact banking": the support of organisations and projects that have a positive impact on social aspects, i.e. promote social security and the well-being of the population. These include, for example, the promotion of educational infrastructure or measures to strengthen socially disadvantaged groups. In addition, we would like to encourage our customers to actively shape change through targeted investments and thus expand their education in the field of finance. So you can participate in the action with the help of "Impact Banking", too.
What role does Commerzbank play in impact banking?
As one of the largest universal banks in Germany, we play a key role as a provider of capital in the sustainable transformation of the economy. As a bank, we have a special role and responsibility within this transformation. In doing so, we intend to increase the positive social/environmental contribution through sustainable products and solutions.
The following overview illustrates which ecological and social contributions may be relevant in this context.
Ecological
- Generation, storage and distribution of renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, green hydrogen, battery storage or grid infrastructure for the integration of renewable energies
- Measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and industrial processes, including energy renovation, efficient machinery, heat pumps, photovoltaics and energy management systems
- Nature conservation and biodiversity measures, such as renaturation, rewetting of peatlands, reforestation and forest protection, creation and preservation of nature reserves, habitat connetivity and water protection
- Resource-saving circular economy, such as sustainable raw material selection, durable and repairable product design, waste prevention, reuse, repair, reprocessing and recycling
Social
- Affordable basic services, such as access to clean energy, clean drinking water, sanitation, transport, healthcare, education or affordable housing
- Investments in health and care facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, community health services, and medical equipment and diagnostic services
- Education and care infrastructure, such as day-care centres, after-school care centres, kindergartens, schools, vocational training, universities and adult education
- Strengthening socially disadvantaged groups, for example through projects for people with limited access to basic goods and services, the unemployed, people with disabilities, migrants or other vulnerable groups
A complete overview of all Commerzbank-specific products and use of proceeds that can be assigned to impact banking can be found in the ESG Framework.
Climate change and biodiversity loss, as well as the geopolitical situation, pose immense challenges for politics, the economy and society. In order to meet the international climate targets to which Germany has committed itself, we need new, sustainable forms of economic activity.
That is why Commerzbank has been a member of the Federal Association of Impact Investing (BVII) since the beginning of 2025. "Together with its members and partners, BVII works to mobilise capital for innovation, sustainable transformation, and long-term value creation. The initiatives within BVII’s network demonstrate how capital can generate measurable social and environmental impact across sectors, regions, and asset classes."1
Private, Corporate and Business Customers, Discover our solutions and products
- Private and Small Business customers
With our wide range of products, we offer our customers the chance to manage their finances responsibly.
- Corporate clients
The partner of choice for the German Mittelstand and corporates worldwide
Impact of the customer's money
Mobilise customer funds for sustainable products
We aim to allocate at least 10% of our new lending business to green and social projects and business models on a permanent basis, as well as to our clients' transformation efforts. These include projects and business models that support climate and nature conservation or social justice. The sustainable lending business enables Commerzbank to actively drive the transformation towards a more sustainable economy. Commerzbank finances both directly sustainable projects and business models (green loans and social loans) and initiatives that support the transition to more sustainable business models (transition loans). A complete overview of the supported uses can be found in the ESG framework.
Developing sustainable bonds and loans
Green bonds are a way of corporate financing projects with earmarked funds for clearly defined environmental or climate goals, such as renewable energies, energy efficiency, lower-emission mobility, nature conservation or circular economy. Social bonds, on the other hand, can be used to support projects with earmarked funds for clearly defined social goals, such as educational infrastructure, health care, affordable basic services or measures to strengthen socially disadvantaged groups. As Commerzbank, we are in charge of supporting corresponding issues.
Investing in the power of energy
With klimaVest ELTIF, our customers invest directly in the energy transition. In addition to the production and expansion of renewable energies, customers also support the energy transmission and energy storage. The volume of klimaVest ELTIF amounted to around 1.7 billion euros at the end of 2025 (2024: 1.5 billion euros).
Founder of the future
Since its establishment in 1970, the Commerzbank Foundation has built up many partnerships throughout Germany and has thus established itself as a fixed funding benchmark in the German foundation landscape. In the 55 years of its existence, it has supported well over 1,000 projects in the fields of culture, social affairs and science with a total of around 40 million euros.
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Source: BVII Website