responsAbility Partners with DenizBank to Promote Green Lending in Türkiye

Zurich/Istanbul, 26 March 2025 — A climate finance-focused blended fund managed by Swiss impact asset manager responsAbility has entered into a strategic partnership with DenizBank to promote green lending in Türkiye.

Through the provision of a USD 25 million long-term senior debt facility, the collaboration entails financing DenizBank’s SME and corporate borrowers with the aim to promote energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy investments across the bank’s strategic lending areas.

Scaling sustainable banking practices

DenizBank, established in 1997, is one of Türkiye’s leading private banks, serving nearly 19 million customers. Since its establishment, the bank has strategically focused on high-impact sectors such as agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, and renewable energy, aligning its operations with Türkiye’s development pillars. A key aspect of the partnership is the provision of a long-term credit facility, which allows DenizBank to promote green investments for its borrowers. Secondly, beyond the funding, the climate fund will deploy advisory support via Technical Assistance and in-house expertise to further scale DenizBank’s sustainability initiatives.

Ana Akubardia, Climate Finance Investment Officer at responsAbility Investments AG, said: “Türkiye offers substantial climate finance potential, reflecting its strategic location as a bridge between Europe and Asia, its export-oriented economy, ample renewable energy resources, and advanced climate policies. As a key enabler in mobilizing and channelling capital flows, the Turkish banking sector plays a crucial role in financing the green transition. We're excited to partner with DenizBank in supporting their mission to deliver long-term, climate-focused financing solutions, enabling the bank’s end borrowers to accelerate their sustainability efforts and achieve operational efficiencies.”

Beril Oğuz, DenizBank Financial Institutions and Sustainability Coordination Group Executive Vice President, said: “Recognizing the critical role of the financial sector in the green transition, we integrate sustainability into our core banking activities, particularly through financial solutions that support Türkiye’s transition to a low-carbon economy. In this context, we continue our efforts to provide financial support and contribute to unlocking our country's renewable energy potential. We are also committed to minimize the environmental impact of the hard-to-abate sectors through climate mitigation projects. We are pleased to join forces with the responsAbility-managed climate fund to support our customers in their decarbonization journey towards net-zero.”

About DenizBank Established in 1997, DenizBank aims to contribute to Türkiye's economic and social development by making efficient and rational use of financial resources and works with a focus on creating benefits for its country, shareholders, employees and customers. On July 31, 2019, the Bank's shares were transferred to Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the MENAT region. As Türkiye’s fifth-largest private bank, recognized for its innovative approach to climate finance and sustainability, DenizBank offers a wide range of banking services to individuals, SMEs, and corporate clients.