The Commercial Bank Partners in the Journey of Sustainable Development
In this context, Ibtisam Al-Haddad, Director General of the Strategic Planning and Follow-up Sector, stated that the 2025 Sustainability Report presents a comprehensive and integrated overview of the bank’s multifaceted approach to sustainable development, highlighting key activities related to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance. The report is supported by statistics and figures that clearly reflect the progress the bank has achieved in these areas.
Al-Haddad added that the bank continued to strengthen its role in sustainable financing throughout 2025 by expanding its portfolio of financial products and solutions designed to support projects with positive environmental and social impacts. Notably, the proportion of green bonds rose significantly by 64.9 percent in value since 2024, a clear indicator of growing demand for sustainable financing instruments and market confidence in these products.
In addition, the bank provided loans and financial facilities to several companies operating in environmentally friendly sectors, including funding for strategic projects in clean energy, water treatment, recycling, and infrastructure improvement. These initiatives align with national development goals and global environmental commitments.
She emphasized that the bank’s commitment to enhancing financing linked to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles is considered a key pillar in supporting sustainable economic development. These financial facilities accounted for 7.6 percent of the bank’s total corporate financing in 2025, focusing on sectors and projects with positive environmental and developmental impacts.
Data from the bank’s sustainable financing portfolio reveals a balanced sectoral distribution that reflects a comprehensive strategic vision. Water treatment projects accounted for the largest share at 24.4 percent of total ESG-linked financing, followed by clean energy and refinery projects at 11.4 percent.
In parallel, the bank continued to support financing facilities linked to economic diversification efforts, with developmental projects capturing the largest share at 43.7 percent of total such financing.
Regarding environmental responsibility, Al-Haddad noted that the bank continued to implement a series of initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its operations and enhancing resource efficiency. In this regard, 25 bank branches were equipped with solar panels, contributing to the avoidance of emissions equivalent to 82.6 tons of carbon dioxide (tCO2e). The bank also succeeded in reducing total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 16.4 percent, while promoting the use of more sustainable transportation, with eco-friendly vehicles now comprising 33.3 percent of the bank’s total fleet.
On the level of social responsibility and public engagement, the bank strengthened its presence in community service by adopting targeted initiatives focused on community empowerment and supporting social causes. The bank allocated 80.1 percent of its total sustainability spending to community empowerment projects and social initiatives. Furthermore, the bank continued its “Ya Zein Tarathna” (Oh, Beautiful Heritage) initiative, aimed at preserving heritage and strengthening national identity, alongside its ongoing efforts in youth empowerment and talent development.
Al-Haddad concluded her statement, noting that in line with keeping pace with technological advancements, the Commercial Bank has continued to strengthen its digital experience and develop its banking services, with the proportion of customers using digital services reaching 79.6 percent of the bank’s total customer base. The bank also expanded its footprint by increasing the number of smart self-service centers to 21 by the end of 2025, a move that contributes to providing innovative and fast banking services, enhances financial inclusion, reduces reliance on traditional processes, and reinforces the concept of operational sustainability through the adoption of the latest technologies.
