Focusing on Corporate Sustainability Transition
Seeing the appetite and potential among Taiwan SMEs for green and sustainable finance solutions, CUB has responded with a range of products and strategies that position the bank at the forefront of advancing Asia’s low-carbon future.
In its home market, CUB focuses on the sustainability needs of SMEs, introducing various initiatives to support decarbonization and business transition. To enhance carbon reduction efficiency, CUB partnered with Taiwan’s first legal entity to obtain carbon inventory verification accreditation—the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre—to provide technical support and accelerate the industry’s transition to net-zero.
CUB tailors engagement models based on industry type, company size, carbon emissions and ESG maturity, conducting thematic engagement scenarios to address practical decarbonization needs and strengthen clients’ net-zero capabilities. In December 2024, CUB launched Taiwan’s first “SME Sustainable Finance Partner Project,” offering incentives such as cash flow services, foreign exchange deposit benefits, and preferential lending rates to encourage SMEs to adopt greener practices.
Additionally, CUB pioneered sustainability-linked payroll solutions, motivating corporate employees to participate in green business practices such as energy conservation and carbon reduction, thereby enhancing internal sustainability awareness.
Exporting Taiwan’s Green Finance Know-how to Support Regional Transformation
In overseas markets, CUB focuses on the sustainability needs of project-based and large enterprises, promoting regional low-carbon transition through green loans, sustainability-linked financing, and social responsibility lending.
In Singapore, CUB partnered with leading renewable energy company Apeiron Bioenergy at the end of 2023 to launch its first green trade finance facility. The full loan amount was dedicated to supporting the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), demonstrating CUB’s concrete actions in the clean energy sector.
In Vietnam, CUB structured several green loan initiatives, including green building financing for ICT sector companies, participation in a syndicated loan for VP Bank (with at least 50% of proceeds allocated to green or social projects), and sustainable financing for public water utilities and wind power development—highlighting its impact across diverse industries.
Further reinforcing its commitment to green corporate finance in the region, CUB hosted the “ESG: Challenges and Practices in Sustainable Development” forum on Earth Day 2025 in Vietnam. The event gathered over 80 industry leaders to explore global and local ESG trends and challenges. The forum showcased CUB’s 20-year presence in Vietnam and its role as a key partner in corporate sustainability transformation. During the event, CUB introduced its “Cathay One” one-stop transition finance platform, designed to help enterprises conduct carbon inventories, formulate decarbonization strategies, and access green financing—enhancing their resilience and competitiveness in the face of climate risks.
These achievements build on CUB’s milestone in 2022, when it became the first Taiwanese bank to sign a sustainability-linked loan in the Philippines, underscoring its determination and action in promoting green finance across Southeast Asia.
Leading ESG Disclosure in Asia’s Financial Sector
CUB is the first commercial bank in Asia to participate in CDP’s Corporate Banking Programme, helping corporates systematically assess carbon emissions, climate risk management, decarbonization targets, and governance frameworks to meet growing transparency demands from global investors and supply chains. In 2024, CUB further distinguished itself as the only Asian bank invited to join CDP’s SME Technical Working Group.Through this opportunity, CUB provided insights and advice that helped shaped CDP’s approach to SMEs, including the development of the SME questionnaire.
After the launch of the SME questionnaire in 2024, CUB invited over 150 companies to participate in the programme. Through the joint efforts of participating enterprises, CDP experts, and CUB colleagues, a total of 121 companies completed the questionnaire and received CDP scores—resulting in a response rate of over 80%, significantly higher than the global supply chain average of around 66%. Notably, 110 of these companies were first-time participants.
Growing regional reach
“We are committed to building a sustainable financial ecosystem and working with corporate partners to achieve clean energy and climate action goals,” said Michael Wen, Executive Vice President from CUB. CUB will continue to leverage its financial capabilities and regional influence to drive sustainable development across Asia.
