ESG challenges in finance laid bare
by Ben Poole
Two recent reports underline some of the challenges currently buffeting the financial aspects of ESG.
Environment
Ninety countries join e-commerce initiative – Industry roundup: 30 July
by Graham Buck
Three rate decisions awaited; Russia hikes rates to 18%; Supply chain shortage dents Porsche; Slovenia first EU nation to issue sovereign digital bond
HSBC names CFO as its new chief – Industry roundup: 18 July
by Graham Buck
Tokenised US Treasurys ʺcould hit US$3bnʺ; Indonesia keeps rates on hold; Klarna mulls US IPO for 2025; ADB, AIIB fund Indian solar power project
France’s audit office sounds warning – Industry roundup: 16 July
by Graham Buck
Pakistan wins U5$7 billion IMF loan; KPMG launches Clear on Climate Reporting; World Bank helps Pacific islands; La Niña threat to EM bonds
Japan‘s chipmakers plan US$30 billion investment in semiconductors – Industry roundup: 11 July
by Graham Buck
UK launches £7.3bn Wealth Fund; Aramco resumes USD-denominated bonds; Banks enjoyed record profits in 2023; HSBC to reshape investment banking
More companies use AI for supply chain management – Industry roundup: 9 July
by Graham Buck
French election “ends pro-business agendaʺ; South Africa to change ETF payments; RBI joins Project Nexus; Ireland's tax windfall continues
Hong Kong and France join forces on CBDCs – Industry roundup: 4 July
by Graham Buck
EIB funds North Sea wind farm; MSCI and Moody’s form ESG partnership; New facility to boost Africa trade; SMBC Aviation Capital raises US$1.5 billion
Southeast Asia is favourite base for diversified supply chains – Industry roundup: 25 June
by Graham Buck
UK Labour government ʺcould borrow more”; BBVA plans German digital bank; Crime spike in cashless Sweden; China presses for lower card fees
UK business investment trails other G7 members – Industry roundup: 18 June
by Graham Buck
BNY Mellon rebrands; Canada, ADB launch C$360m climate fund; Yale team focuses on improving supply chains; Moody's warns on Pakistan's debt
Modi set for third election victory as India’s economic boom continues – Industry roundup: 4 June
by Graham Buck
Challenges for Mexico's new leader; Turkey's economic growth strong; US$4bn platform for emerging markets; Malaysia invests US$100bn in semiconductors
US restaurant chain Red Lobster joins retail casualties – Industry roundup: 21 May
by Graham Buck
China tariffs threat to EU wine exports; Microsoft tells suppliers to go green; Japan investors await rate hikes; SocGen invests in energy transition
Riksbank is ahead of the ECB with interest rate cut – Industry roundup: 9 May
by Graham Buck
South Africa's post-election prospects; Global debt load at record US$315 trillion; CEOs prioritise sustainability; Argentina adds 10,000 peso notes
Spain’s Sabadell rejects €12 billion offer from rival BBVA – Industry roundup: 7 May
by Graham Buck
Australia holds interest rate at 4.35%; Markets primed for June rate cut from ECB; Japan bids to host ADB summit 2027; Saudi Arabia and UAE compete
Firms wary of ability to comply with CSRD – Industry roundup: 2 May
by Graham Buck
Efama backs capital markets union; IMF raises Asia growth forecast; Shell plans US$3.5bn share buyback; Instant payments market set to boom
UK firms face new costs from Brexit border checks – Industry roundup: 30 April
by Graham Buck
HSBC's chief Quinn to step down; Postbank problems hit Deutsche Bank; Boeing raises US$10bn from debt market; Eurozone inflation steady at 2.4%
US economic growth hits a speed bump – Industry roundup: 26 April
by Graham Buck
No change from Bank of Japan; South Korea's growth accelerates; Indonesia rate hike wrongfoots analysts; Ecuador looks at more debt-for-nature swaps
Most central banks now developing a digital currency – Industry roundup: 24 April
by Graham Buck
Hong Kong help for SMEs; Commerzbank fined €1.45m for AML breaches; Standard Chartered builds on aXess; Citi sells maple bonds
Supply chain shocks “impact emerging nations more” – Industry roundup: 23 April
by Graham Buck
Cash flow crunch for Australian SMEs; Italy prepared for EU budget rules; India's farmers get e-rupee payments; New Zealand consults on CBDCs
Vietnam mounts major rescue of bank hit by fraud – Industry roundup: 18 April
by Graham Buck
Nestlé faces activist investors; RWE issues first US dollar green bond; Israel to launch CBDC sandbox; Thames Water revamps survival plan
China reports mixed start to 2024 for the economy – Industry roundup: 16 April
by Graham Buck
IMF stymies Ghana debt deal; Bank of Israel chief on outlook; Report predicts continued ESG progress in Europe; Global supply chains "still fragile"
Europe’s banks complain about ESG demands – Industry roundup: 9 April
by Graham Buck
TSMC lifts US investment to US$65bn; IFC and DBS aim to boost trade flows; China launches tech funding programme; Grocery giants form investment fund
HSBC sets up US$1 billion fund for Asean’s digital economy – Industry roundup: 28 March
by Graham Buck
Sweden could cut rates in May; Sri Lanka rate cut surprises markets; Life less sweet as cocoa prices soar; Thames Water faces funding crisis
Swift plans new CBDC platform by 2026 – Industry roundup: 26 March
by Graham Buck
China woos foreign investors; Boardroom reshuffle at Boeing; Bombardier raises US$750m via junk bond; More central banks shift rate policy
Deloitte restructures amid dealmaking drought – Industry roundup: 19 March
by Graham Buck
Japan agrees first rate hike since 2007; Unilever loses taste for ice cream; M&S plans new deal with HSBC; EU progresses on supply chain law