Deutsche Bank has established an ESG Centre of Excellence (COE) in Singapore. The centre, working across all business divisions of the bank, will focus on the execution of ESG transactions, new product development, and advisory services.

The ESG COE will share global best practices with Asian regulators and regional bodies such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

It will also focus on innovation at the nexus of ESG and fintech to develop new products addressing gaps in the ESG market, including impact monitoring, data management and payments to unbanked communities.

The centre will house a sizable team with deep ESG expertise and work with coverage and product teams to implement various ESG-related activities, including ESG transactions across all business divisions, such as investment bank, corporate bank, international private bank and asset management.

It will also initiate ESG leadership lecture series in partnership with academic institutions; ESG fellowship programme for graduate students at top global MBA programmes; ESG internship programme for undergraduate students at top global universities; partnership with research institutions and global think tanks on ESG research; and ESG policy seminars for relevant government agencies.

Kamran Khan, Deutsche Bank’s head of ESG for Asia-Pacific, says: “The transition of Asia towards sustainable practices requires ESG transaction models, products, solutions and regulatory measures which meet international standards while supporting on-the-ground realities in Asia. By establishing this ESG Centre of Excellence in Singapore, we aim to set standards for evidence-based, data-driven transactions which can substantiate ESG impact and support sustainable growth.”

Gillian Tan, assistant managing director (development and international) of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, says: “The MAS strongly supports the establishment of Deutsche Bank’s Asia-Pacific ESG Centre of Excellence in Singapore. It is a welcome addition to Singapore's growing sustainability and green finance ecosystem. The Centre of Excellence will leverage innovation to accelerate Asia’s transition to a sustainable future. The COE’s goal to facilitate industry knowledge transfer will help to deepen the pool of specialized talent and capabilities in Singapore.”