ESG and the future of banking: Česká spořitelna

Petra Ondrušová, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Ondřej Karban, Product Owner ESG Digital Advisory at Česká spořitelna, explain how the Czech bank balances ESG goals with financial performance, integrates sustainability into its core strategy, and uses data and technology to deliver real impact beyond compliance.

Can you provide an overview of your institution and share the key ways ESG is integrated into your long-term strategy?

Petra: Česká spořitelna is the largest bank and the most traditional bank in the Czech Republic, and our approach to sustainability is rooted in a mission that has guided us for over 200 years—to lead individuals, businesses, and communities toward long-term sustainable prosperity. We feel a shared responsibility for the sustainable prosperity of Czech society and aim to accelerate changes that strengthen respect for people and the environment.

Sustainability is the lens through which we view our impact on society, and ESG principles permeate everything we do. They are integrated into our overall bank strategy, credit policies, investment decisions, and internal governance. Our ambition is to be a driver of change and sustainable transformation in both social and environmental areas, and to be a leader in sustainable finance.

Ondřej: At Česká spořitelna, we see ESG as an integral part of our financial health advisory services. When approached correctly, ESG helps companies increase their efficiency, resilience, and long-term prosperity. Our goal is for ESG not to be seen as a separate topic, but as a core part of the advisory value we provide to businesses.

A concrete example is our photovoltaic calculator, which helps clients calculate cost savings and return on investment, and suggests suitable financing. This allows clients to effectively reduce operating costs while also lowering their carbon footprint. It’s an ideal win-win scenario that connects economic and environmental benefits.