Stakeholder identification and consultation

Please describe which stakeholders (or groups/ types of stakeholders) you have identified, consulted, engaged, collaborated or partnered with for the purpose of implementing the Principles and improving your bank’s impacts. This should include a high-level overview of how your bank has identified relevant stakeholders, what issues were addressed/results achieved and how they fed into the action planning process.

Regular stakeholder engagement is a key part of Helaba’s materiality assessment process. To effectively identify stakeholders, Helaba employs a systematic approach, evaluating both their impact on its activities and its impact on them. The feedback and insights Helaba obtains from this engagement are crucial to its action planning process, ensuring that the sustainability initiatives align with stakeholder expectations and industry best practices. Furthermore, the bank’s Code of Conduct ensures responsible interaction with all stakeholders.

Helaba prioritises active engagement with customers to understand their needs and expectations, especially regarding sustainable finance and ESG-related products. As an active promoter of a sustainable transition, Helaba’s Capital Markets Conference enabled the bank to explore sustainable capital market financing solutions and the application of digital innovation in the financial sector with its clients.

Additionally, Helaba is in continuous communication with regulators and policymakers to stay informed about evolving sustainability regulations and ensure adherence to these standards. Partnering with nongovernmental organisations provides the bank with key insights into societal expectations and emerging sustainability trends. Helaba’s active participation in several industry associations enables the bank to contribute to the development of best practices and industry standards through collaborative efforts.

Moreover, Helaba provides regular updates on its business performance to the Supervisory Board, which holds the highest-ranking control function within the organisation. The Supervisory Board includes representatives from employee groups, political entities and the business sector, ensuring comprehensive oversight of Helaba’s operations.

Helaba also actively engages with its own employees regarding sustainability, focusing on topics such as circularity, biodiversity, and climate change. Through a comprehensive training programme, Helaba enables its employees to properly assess sustainability-related opportunities and risks. This in-depth knowledge also helps the bank’s front-office units to work more closely with customers.

How does Helaba promote a culture of responsible banking among its employees?

In its 2025 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template Helaba reports that it took the following actions to promote a culture of responsible banking among its employees:

Helaba considers its employees to be essential in promoting responsible operations, reflecting the bank’s commitment to sustainability and supporting customers in their ongoing journey toward greater sustainability. Dedicated to continuous training and professional growth, Helaba makes significant investments in developing its workforce.

In the 2021 financial year, Helaba launched tailored training programs to give employees a foundational understanding of sustainability within the bank’s business context. By 2023, these programs had been expanded to include additional advanced modules on specialized topics. The courses provide a thorough overview of key sustainability and sustainable finance concepts, including climate change, biodiversity, circular economy, and ESG reporting. As of December 31, 2023, 3,253 Helaba employees had completed the online training, and approximately 140 individuals, primarily from front-office units, participated in the more intensive ESG master classes.

Helaba has also launched an online training module dedicated to information security and data protection, which all employees are required to complete annually. This training offers insights into cyber threats, data protection principles, and procedures for handling data subject requests and data breaches, ensuring employees recognize the significance of these issues. Regular education on information security and data protection fosters responsible behaviour in daily business activities, highlighting its vital role in responsible banking.

Furthermore, Helaba has adopted a corporate citizenship strategy that promotes community engagement across the bank and its subsidiaries, including social volunteering initiatives. The bank actively encourages employees to participate in environmental and social projects by providing up to two days off per year for volunteering. Helaba seeks to expand its social volunteering efforts within the Group, and aimed for at least 1,000 volunteer days annually by 2025, in partnership with its employees.

 

UN Principles for Responsible Banking: Accelerating a positive global transition for people and the planet

With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through these Principles, the banking community takes action to align core strategies, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

FBRH Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Assurance:

First class PRB assurance services: The result of solid, hands-on ESG/ Sustainability experience

• • • FBRH is a GRI Certified Training Partner (Global), ISEP Training Centre and a member of CPD.
    • FBRH builds trust. Over 200 reviews from top professionals from around the world demonstrate our ability to build strong, trusting business relationships.
    • FBRH possesses a unique skill set that combines ESG/sustainability certified training, experience in advisory services and report preparation, and ESG/sustainability report assurance.

The combination of all the above empowers FBRH to provide first class Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) assurance services.

 

References:

This case study is based on published information by Helaba, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.helaba.com/media/docs/int/sustainability/prb-reporting-and-self-assessment_helaba2025.pdf

Note to Helaba: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

Stakeholder identification and consultation

Please describe which stakeholders (or groups/ types of stakeholders) you have identified, consulted, engaged, collaborated or partnered with for the purpose of implementing the Principles and improving your bank’s impacts. This should include a high-level overview of how your bank has identified relevant stakeholders, what issues were addressed/results achieved and how they fed into the action planning process.

Regular stakeholder engagement is a key component of Helaba’s materiality assessment process. To effectively identify stakeholders, Helaba utilizes a structured approach that evaluates both their influence on its activities and its impact on them. The insights and feedback gathered from this engagement are vital for Helaba’s action planning, ensuring that its sustainability initiatives meet stakeholder expectations and align with industry best practices. Moreover, the bank’s Code of Conduct promotes responsible interactions with all stakeholders.

Helaba places a strong emphasis on engaging actively with customers to better understand their needs and expectations, particularly in areas related to sustainable finance and ESG-focused products. As a proponent of a sustainable transition, Helaba’s Capital Markets Conference provided an opportunity to explore innovative financing solutions in the sustainable capital markets and the role of digital innovation in the financial sector. Additionally, Helaba maintains ongoing communication with regulators and policymakers to stay updated on evolving sustainability regulations and ensure compliance. Collaborations with non-governmental organizations offer valuable insights into societal expectations and emerging sustainability trends. Helaba’s active participation in various industry associations allows it to contribute to the development of best practices and industry standards through collaborative efforts.

Furthermore, Helaba regularly reports its business performance to the Supervisory Board, which holds the highest oversight authority within the organization. The Supervisory Board includes representatives from employee groups, political entities, and the business sector, guaranteeing comprehensive oversight of Helaba’s operations.

Helaba also actively involves its employees in sustainability matters, focusing on topics such as circularity, biodiversity, and climate change. Through a comprehensive training program, the bank equips its staff to accurately assess sustainability-related opportunities and risks. This extensive knowledge enables front-office teams to work more effectively with customers on sustainability issues.

How did Helaba identify and work on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts?

In its 2025 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template Helaba reports that it identified and worked on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts as follows:

Helaba recognizes that its core lending business is a crucial driver for advancing the transition toward a carbon-neutral, circular economy. The bank actively supports its clients in adopting socially and environmentally responsible practices by directing its lending resources toward sustainable sectors and initiatives. To identify new opportunities, Helaba focuses on financing companies with low emissions or low emission intensity, and provides transitional financing to support the decarbonization efforts of emission-intensive clients. As a result, Helaba continually expands its portfolio of tailored and innovative ESG products, including ESG-linked loans, investment loans with designated sustainable use of funds, and green promissory notes and bonds. From 2020 to 2023, Helaba facilitated 170 financing transactions featuring contractual sustainability elements, such as ESG-linked or green loans.

Helaba has secured additional lead mandates in sustainable finance and remains committed to demonstrating its expertise in this field. Additionally, the bank is steadily increasing project-specific financing in areas such as renewable energy, water, waste management, recycling, transportation, and social and digital infrastructure. Helaba’s ongoing efforts aim to encourage companies of all sizes—small, medium, and large—to participate in the sustainable transformation. Through these initiatives, Helaba makes a positive contribution to at least ten Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

As part of its KPI system, Helaba committed to increasing its sustainable portfolio to 50% by 2025. To reach this target, the bank has clearly defined which transactions qualify as sustainable within the scope of its sustainable lending and investment activities.

As of December 31, 2023, Helaba’s total sustainable finance portfolio reached €80.6 billion, representing an 8.3% increase from €74.4 billion in the previous year. The share of sustainable financing within the overall lending volume grew from 46% to 51%, enabling Helaba to achieve its target ahead of schedule. This success provides Helaba with the motivation to further advance its sustainability ambitions beyond 2025. The primary factor driving the overall growth in sustainable financing within the portfolio was the increase in new sustainable financing. By the end of 2023, sustainable finance comprised 57% of Helaba’s new business, highlighting its ongoing commitment to expanding its sustainable portfolio.

 

UN Principles for Responsible Banking: Accelerating a positive global transition for people and the planet

With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through these Principles, the banking community takes action to align core strategies, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

FBRH Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Assurance:

First class PRB assurance services: The result of solid, hands-on ESG/ Sustainability experience

• • • FBRH is a GRI Certified Training Partner (Global), ISEP Training Centre and a member of CPD.
    • FBRH builds trust. Over 200 reviews from top professionals from around the world demonstrate our ability to build strong, trusting business relationships.
    • FBRH possesses a unique skill set that combines ESG/sustainability certified training, experience in advisory services and report preparation, and ESG/sustainability report assurance.

The combination of all the above empowers FBRH to provide first class Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) assurance services.

 

References:

This case study is based on published information by Helaba, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.helaba.com/media/docs/int/sustainability/prb-reporting-and-self-assessment_helaba2025.pdf

Note to Helaba: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

Stakeholder identification and consultation

Please describe which stakeholders (or groups/ types of stakeholders) you have identified, consulted, engaged, collaborated or partnered with for the purpose of implementing the Principles and improving your bank’s impacts. This should include a high-level overview of how your bank has identified relevant stakeholders, what issues were addressed/results achieved and how they fed into the action planning process.

Helaba uses a systematic approach to identify stakeholders, considering both their influence on its operations and its impact on them. Helaba engages actively with its customers to understand their needs and expectations, particularly regarding sustainable finance and ESG-related products. Helaba maintains open communication with regulators and policymakers to keep up with changing sustainability regulations and ensure compliance. By collaborating with non-governmental organizations, Helaba gains insights into societal expectations and emerging sustainability trends. As active members of various industry associations, Helaba collaborates to develop best practices and industry standards.

Feedback from stakeholder engagement is directly incorporated into Helaba’s action planning process, ensuring that sustainability initiatives meet stakeholder expectations and adhere to industry best practices.

Additionally, Helaba regularly reports on business performance to the Supervisory Board, which has the highest-ranking control function and includes employee, political, and business representatives.

How did Helaba work with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities?

In its 2023 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template Helaba reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:

Helaba engages actively with corporate customers and Savings Banks to promote ESG transformation, viewing ESG not merely as a regulatory requirement but as an opportunity to strengthen customer relationships and drive sustainable business growth. Helaba aims to build a responsible business by adhering to applicable laws and internal guidelines through an effective compliance system. This approach ensures that Helaba operates in the public interest, prevents criminal activity, and contributes positively beyond its core business.

Helaba has implemented a Code of Conduct that provides guidance to employees, customers, and the public on responsible behaviour in daily business and regarding its products. This code addresses issues such as conflicts of interest, insider knowledge, white-collar crime prevention, data protection, transparency, corruption, fair competition, and tax compliance.

Additionally, Helaba supports its customers in the social and ecological realignment of their business through transformation financing. With over 20 different ESG products, including green and social loans, ESG-linked loans, and sustainable development loans, Helaba creates incentives for its customers to achieve greater sustainability. Helaba has also established a dedicated Sustainable Finance Advisory team that assists customers in developing solutions to meet their specific sustainability-related financing needs. The Helaba Green Bond Framework sets the criteria for issuing green bonds, adhering to the highest market standards: the ICMA Green Bond Principles and the EU Green Bond Standard. Consequently, proceeds from green bonds are exclusively used to finance renewable energy projects based on the EU taxonomy, contributing to the advancement of SDG 7 – Affordable and clean energy. Helaba actively seeks dialogue with its stakeholders to enhance its business and sustainability strategy, engaging in various formats and initiatives, including its regularly updated materiality assessment.

 

UN Principles for Responsible Banking: Accelerating a positive global transition for people and the planet

With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through these Principles, the banking community takes action to align core strategies, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

FBRH Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Assurance:

First class PRB assurance services: The result of solid, hands-on ESG/ Sustainability experience

• • • FBRH is a GRI Certified Training Partner (Global), ISEP Training Centre and a member of CPD.
    • FBRH builds trust. Over 200 reviews from top professionals from around the world demonstrate our ability to build strong, trusting business relationships.
    • FBRH possesses a unique skill set that combines ESG/sustainability certified training, experience in advisory services and report preparation, and ESG/sustainability report assurance.

The combination of all the above empowers FBRH to provide first class Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) assurance services.

 

References:

This case study is based on published information by Helaba, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.helaba.com/media/docs/de/nachhaltigkeit/prb-reporting-and-self-assessment.pdf

Note to Helaba: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.