Microfinance Focus, December 8, 2012: IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has launched the Sustainable Banking Network to help bank regulators in emerging markets develop green-credit policies and environmental and social risk-management guidelines by sharing knowledge and technical resources.   

The network, led by IFC, is an informal group of bank regulators and banking associations. It will support members in their efforts to develop standards, policies and guidelines for environmental and social best practices in their countries’ banking sectors. It was established in response to requests from several countries attending the first International Green Credit Forum in Beijing in May 2012 who asked IFC to help build a network of regulators who could share insights and experience. 

The initial exchange of ideas will take place on IFC’s member-only web platform, followed by annual meetings hosted by each member country and bi-lateral exchanges between member countries. To date, the network has members from Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nigeria, Peru, Thailand and Vietnam.