Asia remains key as ING drives sustainable finance and market resilience
21 February 2024
Reading time: 8 min
Andrew Bester, ING’s global head of Wholesale Banking, told CNBC Squawk Box Asia that deal-making remains resilient across the bank’s 40 markets, with financing readily available despite muted global growth. Asia remains a key focus, with solid performance in China and supportive policy in Japan. ING mobilised €115 billion in sustainable finance in 2023, advancing its €125 billion annual target and reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.
Andrew Bester, ING’s global head of Wholesale Banking, appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia in Singapore with Sri Jegarajah to discuss market sentiment and regional outlooks. Despite concerns around rebalancing risks and subdued growth, Bester noted that business sentiment and deal-making activity remain resilient, with corporates cautiously optimistic. Encouragingly, he shared that financing remains available across ING’s 40 global markets to support active deal pipelines.
Turning to Asia, Bester acknowledged muted growth in China but affirmed that ING continues to see solid performance in the market, which remains a strategic priority for the bank. In Japan—another key market—he anticipates monetary policy will stay relatively accommodative this year, helping to sustain client activity.
Sustainability remains central to ING’s strategy. In 2023, the bank mobilised €115 billion in sustainable finance, keeping it firmly on track to reach its target of €125 billion annually by 2025.
Bester also underscored ING’s ability to leverage its global network and deep sector expertise to drive targeted investments and support the growth of sustainable finance across the region.
Originally published in CNBC: Opens in a new tabhttps://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7166751890729263105