Financial Products with Sustainability Aspects

DZ BANK

Sustainability

Sustainable Product Environment

DZ BANK offers a wide range of sustainable products that combine environmental protection, resource conservation and social responsibility.

23.4 Billion EUR

Volume of sustainable bonds that DZ BANK supported in 2025
9.7 Billion EUR

Volume of renewable energy financing in 2025 (as of 31 December 2025)
5.64 Billion EUR

Volume of promotional loans with a focus on the environment and sustainability 2025

The image depicts a renewable energy landscape in which the following elements are visible:

1. **Solar Panels**:
- A large array of solar panels is arranged in neat rows across the foreground of the image.
- These panels are designed to capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy.

2. **Wind Turbines**:
- Several wind turbines are seen in the background, with at least one prominently positioned in the center of the image.
- Wind turbines harness wind energy to generate electricity.

3. **Open Green Field**:
- The renewable energy infrastructure is situated within an expansive green field or pasture.
- This suggests the integration of sustainable energy solutions within natural landscapes.

4. **Sunset/Sunrise**:
- The sun is either rising or setting, casting a warm, golden light over the scene.
- The sun's position and light contribute to the serene ambiance of the image.

Overall, this image showcases the harmony between nature and technology, highlighting efforts towards sustainable, eco-friendly energy production. It reflects an environment-conscious approach of utilizing solar and wind resources to contribute towards clean energy transition.

Framework for ESG Products of DZ BANK

As the central institution of the Genossenschaftliche FinanzGruppe Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken, DZ BANK (also) takes into account aspects relating to people, the environment, and responsible corporate governance. The Sustainable Product Framework describes the corresponding products of DZ BANK and serves as a uniform framework of orientation for their classification and description across relevant business activities.

The image shows three people sitting together and having a conversation. They appear to be in a professional setting, possibly having a business meeting or discussion. All three are dressed in business attire, and there are notebooks, a laptop, and a coffee cup on the table. The mood seems positive and engaged, as two people are smiling while interacting with the third person.

Promotional Loans

Whether for private customers or businesses, investments aimed at improving energy efficiency, for example, are becoming increasingly important. Another area of focus is on measures designed to address demographic change. These include, amongst other things, social programmes that promote the age-appropriate refurbishment of homes and buildings. By arranging low-interest public funding, DZ BANK supports its customers.

The image shows a person standing in a greenhouse filled with lush green plants. The person is wearing casual clothing and is holding a clipboard, likely overseeing or managing the plants.

Project Financing

Since signing the Equator Principles in 2013, DZ BANK has continuously subjected project financing with an investment volume of more than USD 10 million and project-related corporate financing with an investment volume of more than USD 50 million to an audit in accordance with these principles.

This also allows us to document publicly our long-standing practice of taking sustainability-related standards into account in project financing. At the same time, DZ BANK is meeting the requirements of forward-looking risk provisioning, particularly in the area of large-volume project financing.

The image depicts a landscape featuring wind turbines, which are large structures used in wind farms to harness wind energy and convert it into electricity. These turbines are set in a rural area with open green fields and a forest in the background. The sun is seen shining from the top right corner of the image, casting sunlight over the scene, contributing to a bright and airy atmosphere. The wind turbines are prominently positioned, showcasing their sleek and elongated design, typically consisting of a tower, rotor blades, and a nacelle at the top that houses the generator. The image highlights themes of renewable energy, sustainability, and the natural beauty of combining technology with the environment.

Renewable Energies

Financing renewable energies in Germany is the focus of our project financing. In the areas of wind, photovoltaics and biogas/biomass, the volume of credit limits for project financing committed by DZ BANK reached a total of €9.7 bn. in 2025. Wind power remains the most important renewable energy source.

The image depicts a highway interchange surrounded by lush greenery and forested areas.

### Key Elements of the Image:

1. **Intersection Design:**
- The structure is a **cloverleaf interchange**, characterized by loops and ramps that facilitate vehicles transitioning from one highway to another without causing stop-and-go traffic.
- Multiple lanes are visible converging and diverging, supporting efficient vehicular movement.

2. **Natural Environment:**
- The roads are seamlessly integrated into a vast forest, providing an aerial view of a blend between infrastructure and nature.
- Trees densely populate the region, creating a vibrant contrast with the smooth road surface.

3. **Traffic:**
- A few vehicles, including cars and trucks, can be observed navigating the interchange.
- Traffic appears light, suggesting it might be a quiet time of day or less busy period.

4. **Air View Perspective:**
- The photo is captured from above, offering a comprehensive view of the interchange layout and surrounding environment.
- Roads appear wide, accommodating multiple lanes and providing clarity into the complex structure of road connections.

### General Summary:

The image captures a cloverleaf interchange surrounded by dense forest, presenting an overhead view of how infrastructure adapts to natural terrain. It's a visual exploration of sustainable development where engineering meets conservation in creating efficient transportation networks.

Public Private Partnership

Public-private partnerships (PPP) have become a successful procurement model for important public service projects in Europe in recent years. DZ BANK regularly works with partners from the cooperative financial network on PPP projects, for example to enable the construction and operation of roads/traffic routes, schools, hospitals, and administrative buildings.

The image shows two people in an office environment. One person is sitting at a desk wearing a headset and looking at a computer screen, while the other person stands beside her, also looking at the screen. It appears to be a workplace or customer service setting, with multiple computer monitors and keyboards visible.

Sustainable Investment Products

DZ BANK has been active in the sustainable bond market segment since 2013 and is one of the leading European syndicate banks in this segment. In 2025, DZ BANK facilitated sustainability-related transactions with a total value of around 23.4 billion euros.

In November 2021, DZ BANK issued its third green bond, following on from 2018 and 2020. The bond, which has a seven-year term and is valued at €300 million, was very well received by investors in Germany and abroad. The bank itself implemented the transaction on the basis of its proven expertise in sustainable financing and structured the bond in accordance with the current Green Bond Principles of the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA). The rating agency Standard & Poor's Global Ratings (S&P), which was commissioned to carry out an independent sustainability assessment, rates the bond with a very high environmental rating of 86/100 based on its Green Transaction Evaluation and a strong assessment of governance and reporting.

Further information on DZ BANK's green bonds can be found here

The image shows a person standing indoors holding a tablet in their hands. They are wearing a red shirt and are positioned in front of a bright and modern background with glass architecture and lighting.

Exclusion Criteria and Sector Principles

Lending is one of DZ BANK's most important core activities. In this area in particular, the topic of sustainability is of great importance: As a lender, we systematically check loan requests for relevant sustainability aspects as part of the loan review process.

Further information can be found here