Exclusive | Dutch bank ING to boost recruitment drive in Asia amid growing demand for green and sustainable finance across the region

ING Bank, the largest lender in the Netherlands, plans to escalate its staff recruitment efforts in Asia to meet the growing green finance opportunities across the region, according to a senior executive at the Dutch multinational company.

“We will continue to selectively add capability in sustainable finance in Asia because that is where we are a leader in our industry,” Andrew Bester, head of wholesale banking at ING Bank, said in an interview with the South China Morning Post. “What we want is to continue to hire in the areas where we have expertise.”

ING’s staffing initiative reflects the robust outlook for sustainable funding deals in China and across Asia, where many major banks – including Hong Kong’s three note-issuing lenders HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of China (Hong Kong)– are now catering to the increased demand for green finance.

Amsterdam-based Bester visited Hong Kong last week to meet major clients who are seeking green bonds and other sustainable loans to finance their businesses, while ensuring that their operations run in a manner that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions or cut down the use of water and energy.

“Hong Kong has the potential to be a hub for green finance because the Hong Kong Monetary Authority is focused on building the regulatory framework to facilitate sustainable financing,” he said.