Banks and ESG performance

6 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2023 Last revised: 4 Jun 2023

See all articles by Belinda Laura Del Gaudio

Belinda Laura Del Gaudio

University Parthenope of Naples

Serena Gallo

Vanvitelli University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

Daniele Previtali

University of Naples Parthenope - Department of Management Studies and Quantitative Methods

Vincenzo Verdoliva

University of Naples "Parthenope"

Date Written: April 19, 2023

Abstract

This paper analyses factors affecting international banks' Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG ) performance from 2008-2018. Using data for all listed banks in the U.S., E.U. and U.K., we show that the characteristics of banks' boards influence their ESG performance. In particular, banks with a higher female presence, a larger board size, high networking and more qualified directors are more likely to show better ESG performance. Furthermore, we find that banks with a propensity to pursue a fintech innovation strategy are more likely to have a better ESG performance, suggesting that fintech innovation also matters for the sustainable development of banks. In line with previous expectations, also banks' financial factors influence their sustainability profile.

Keywords: ESG, FinTech, Board of directors, innovation

JEL Classification: O32, G21, G34

Suggested Citation

Del Gaudio, Belinda Laura and Gallo, Serena and Previtali, Daniele and Verdoliva, Vincenzo, Banks and ESG performance (April 19, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4423767 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4423767

Belinda Laura Del Gaudio

University Parthenope of Naples ( email )

via generale Parisi 13
via Acton 38
naples, Naples 80133
Italy

Serena Gallo (Contact Author)

Vanvitelli University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

Daniele Previtali

University of Naples Parthenope - Department of Management Studies and Quantitative Methods ( email )

Via Generale Parisi, 13
Naples
Italy

Vincenzo Verdoliva

University of Naples "Parthenope" ( email )

Via generale parisi
Naples, Naples 80133
Italy

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