I&M Bank has officially joined the ranks of the world’s most sustainable financial institutions by becoming a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB). This move anchors the bank to the leading global framework for sustainable finance, aligning its core business strategy with crucial societal objectives, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
By signing the Principles, I&M Bank joins a worldwide community under the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) committed to ensuring that profitability and purpose go hand-in-hand to address pressing global challenges like climate change, nature loss, and social inequality.
This commitment reinforces the bank’s existing Sustainability Action Plan, which has an ambitious goal of positively impacting 10 million lives by the end of 2026. This plan is structured around three core pillars: enabling last-mile financial solutions, driving business sustainability, and enhancing quality of life.
“We are proud to become a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking, which marks a significant milestone of our long-standing commitment to embedding sustainability into our core business,” said Gul Khan, Chief Executive Officer, I&M Bank. “This is not just a pledge, but an extension of the work we are already doing. By aligning with this global framework, we will enhance our ability to measure our impact and accelerate our efforts to create a positive future for our customers, society, and the planet. Inclusion remains central to our approach, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
The PRB provides a clear, systematic framework for banks to integrate sustainability across all aspects of their operations. As a signatory, I&M Bank commits to:
- Identifying and quantifying its most significant environmental and social impacts.
- Establishing clear targets and implementing strategies to address these impacts and contribute to global sustainability goals.
- Publicly and transparently reporting on its progress.
- Demonstrating how banking products and services can actively accelerate the transition to a sustainable future for all.
In May 2025, the Kenya Bankers Association acknowledged I&M Bank as one of the country’s best banks for MSME lending, a key indicator of its dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth.