QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR GREEN COMMERCIAL BANKS (THE ALLIANCE)

  1. How does the Alliance define “Green Finance” and “Green Commercial Banks"?

    “Green Finance” in the context of the Alliance refers to the green finance taxonomy defined in 2016 by UNEP and the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) for the G20 Green Finance Study Group (GFSG): Financing of investments that provide environmental benefits in the broader context of environmentally sustainable development. As one of its most important objectives, the Alliance works with members collectively to define the term “Green Commercial Banks” and set green transformation targets and standards for financial institutions to aspire and commit to.

  2. How does the Alliance operate as a global community of practice?

    The Alliance brings together financial institutions, research institutions, and innovative technology providers, creating a community of green commercial banks across emerging markets that can finance the infrastructure and business solutions needed to urgently address climate change. 

    At the global level, there is the Secretariat that is responsible for the overall administration of the Alliance. To better understand the development needs and to lead regional initiatives and campaigns in different regions, the Secretariat partners with “Regional Anchors” to jointly establish the Alliance’s Regional Chapters. Regional Anchors are responsible for the daily management of the Regional Chapters while working with the Secretariat to undertake green finance research and provide unique market insights, design tailored capacity building/training support, and provide practical guidance for financial institutions to develop their green financial products and services.

    Asia Chapter: In 2020, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) signed a partnership agreement with IFC to become the first Regional Anchor for the Asia Chapter. 

  3. How many countries/areas are covered in The Alliance’s Asia Chapter?

    The Alliance’s Asia Chapter will cover all Asian jurisdictions under the World Bank’s classification. For more information, please refer to the World Bank’s webpage ‘World Bank Country and Lending Groups.’

QUESTIONS ABOUT ALLIANCE MEMBERSHIP

  1. What types of organizations can apply to become a General Member of the Alliance? 
    1. The participants of the Alliance are initially composed of financial institutions and in a later stage, also innovative non-financial institution companies from the green industry.
    2. For financial institutions, we will take a stage-by-stage approach - starting with commercial banks, moving into investment banks, then non-bank financial institutions (e.g., insurance companies, financial leasing companies, trust companies, exchanges, financial asset management companies, and finally consumer finance companies).
    3. In a later stage, the Alliance will also welcome companies that work in renewable energy, energy efficiency management, smart energy, green buildings, smart transportation, environmental management, waste treatment and recycling, as well as financial technology companies.

    Based on the Alliance’s goal to promote the development of green financial institutions globally, it makes the following limitations on the composition of new applicants each year.

    Type of applicant Limitation
    Financial institutions The number of new financial institution applicants is no less than 70% of the total number of new applicants each year.
    Corporations The Alliance will welcome non-financial institutions in a later stage. The number of new corporate applicants will be no more than 30% of the total number of new applicants each year.
  2. How to join the Alliance?
    1. Contact the Regional Anchor and refer to the Alliance’s brochure for application processes and materials.
    2. Complete the application package and send to the Regional Anchor by email.
    3. The Regional Anchor will endeavor to inform the result of the application within 35 working days upon receipt to all required information.
    4. For general inquiries, please reach out to the Alliance by email at alliance@ifc.org.
  3. Is there a membership fee requirement for applicants?
    1. There is no membership fee required during the two-year pilot period of the Alliance’s membership scheme.
    2. After two years, the Alliance will review the policy on the membership fees.
    3. Any expenses resulting from participation in the Alliance’s activities shall be the responsibility of the applicant/Candidate/General Member/Cornerstone Member.
  4. Can different regional branches become participants of the Alliance?
    1. The major regional branches of financial institutions may participate in the Alliance in addition to other branches and/or the HQ office.
    2. The application of regional branches must be additionally approved by the financial institutions’ HQ office.

FOR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  1. Do the eligibility criteria apply to all the participants?
    1. The eligibility criteria apply to all Candidates, General Members, and Cornerstone Members of the Alliance.
    2. Corporate participants will not be required to apply terms on green finance under the eligibility criteria.

FOR CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION AND GENERAL MEMBER ACCREDITATION

  1. What are the processes for Candidate Qualification and General Member Accreditation?
    1. Applicants need to submit the application package, which contains an application form and a candidate assessment questionnaire. The qualification review will be conducted by the Alliance. Applicants who pass the review will become Candidates.
    2. Within two years into candidacy, Candidates can submit the accreditation request to become General Members. The accreditation review will be conducted by a third party approved by the Alliance. To pass the accreditation, Candidates need to complete the green transformation and achieve specific targets related to the Alliance’s key pillars.
  2. Do the Candidate Qualification and General Member Accreditation apply to all branches of a financial institution?
    1. For financial institutions whose headquarter office is an applicant or Candidate of the Alliance, the qualification and accreditation will be assessed based on the institution’s overall performance.
    2. For financial institutions whose regional branch is the applicant or Candidate of the Alliance, the qualification and accreditation will only be assessed based on regional branch performance.