ING Belgium, together with four advisory firms, supports entrepreneurs in their transition to sustainable business operations
ING Belgium is shifting up a gear to actively assist large and medium-sized enterprises in their transition to a more sustainable business model.
Individualised, professional advice to develop and implement a sustainability strategy, help in determining measurable KPIs and meeting CSRD reporting requirements are just some of the services our Business Banking customers will have access to. Our partners Pantarein and Intraco are also on standby to support Dutch-speaking and French-speaking customers respectively. And our real estate customers from both language groups can count on the joint support of Bopro and Stadim for services such as carrying out an energy audit or drawing up a transition plan for their portfolio.
As a financier of the economy, ING plays a key role in guiding both individuals and businesses in their transition to sustainability, by providing tools and tailor-made advice. Many medium-sized enterprises are aware of the need to develop an ESG strategy and are keen to take the plunge. But in order to do so, they need guidance as they often don’t have the necessary in-house expertise.
Tailor-made advice for SMEs
Via their ING banker, entrepreneurs can request a no-obligation meeting with the relevant advisor. This is then followed up with a visit to the appropriate partner. Their banker will also take the initiative to arrange a visit, as they are already familiar with the customer’s situation. After the conversation, the advisor and partner draw up a proposal to meet the customer’s particular needs.
Our selected partners’ expertise and working methods enable them to meet the specific needs of SMEs and larger enterprises. ING customers can count on fast delivery and attractive rates for the services provided.
Guidance in the transition to sustainability
Receiving the best possible guidance in terms of business operations, processes, buildings and mobility is of the utmost importance for entrepreneurs. Want a CO2 reduction plan? Looking to determine measurable KPIs? Need guidance on the CSRD reporting obligation? All these needs are covered by our partners Pantarein and Intraco, while the experts of our partners Bopro and Stadim help enterprises make their real estate portfolios future-proof. One example of how our partners support business is providing guidance in determining the BREEAM ambition level of a new construction or renovation project. The development and planning of an investment in renewable energy is another way they can support companies in their sustainability journey.
Peter Göbel, Head of Business Banking at ING Belgium: ‘Together with our four partners, we act as a ‘travelling companion’ for enterprising customers, helping them to make their business operations more sustainable within a complex and rapidly evolving set of regulations. To do so, we provide customers with ING tools, such as our automated Sustainable Buildings Guide, which provides insights, clearly and efficiently, into the investment needed, the payback period and how to reduce the CO2 impact of buildings. We give them tailor-made advice backed up by the expertise of our partners and we are willing to finance their sustainability investments up to 100%.’
Philippe Wallez, Head of ESG at ING Belgium: ‘No entrepreneur is alone in the transition to more sustainable business operations. It is our role and duty to guide customers through the ins and outs of ESG. Cooperation is crucial in this regard. Together with Pantarein, Intraco, Bopro and Stadim, we inform our customers about the legal framework. We look at what is specifically required to meet their unique needs and expectations in the short as well as the long term.’
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Gianni De Muynck
About ING
ING Belgium is a universal bank that provides financial services for private individuals, businesses and institutional customers. ING Belgium S.A./N.V. is a subsidiary of ING Group N.V. via ING Bank N.V. (www.ing.com).
ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its subsidiary ING Bank. The objective of ING is to enable people to stay ahead, both in business and privately. ING’s more than 60,000 employees provide private and business banking services to customers in more than 100 countries.
ING Group shares are listed on the stock exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N).
ING strives to put sustainability at the heart of everything we do. Our policies and actions are reviewed by independent research and rating agencies, which provide annual updates. The ESG rating of ING by MSCI was re-confirmed as ‘AA’ in August 2024 for the fifth year. Since December 2023, according to Sustainalytics, ING’s management of material ESG risks is ‘Strong’. Our current ESG Risk Rating is 17.2 (low risk). Shares of ING Group are also included in key sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. These include Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell.