As a bank, we can make the biggest difference by directing capital towards investments and activities that contribute to reduced emissions and increased resource efficiency. Swedbank’s climate transition plan is based on long-term targets for 2050. To work towards this overall commitment, we have set interim targets for the credit portfolio, assets under management and Swedbank’s own operations. We are striving to continue integrating our commitments into our lending, investment decisions and governance models.

Swedbank operates under a sustainability framework that guides how the bank raises funding and finances projects that contribute to environmental and social sustainability. Swedbank’s sustainable borrowing and financing framework was updated during 2025 to ensure that it continues to be in line with market practice, current recommendations and Swedbank’s business model, as well as investors’ requirements and expectations. This framework enables the issuance of both green and social bonds and is in line with international standards. Green bonds finance projects in areas such as renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings and sustainable transport solutions. Social bonds finance projects in areas such as the promotion of socio-economic development and inclusion.

In 2025, Swedbank issued green bonds, in line with ICMA Green Bond Principles, in SEK, EUR and GBP to a value of SEK 24.6 billion. Swedbank’s Sustainable Asset Registry increased by SEK 37.2 billion to a total of SEK 165.4 billion. 

Financing with incentives to drive the climate transition is not only about products, but also about dialogue and advice. With a focus on sustainable value creation, Swedbank strives to offer services that enhance customers’ profitability and contribute to long-term stability. Our large customer base provides the conditions to develop offerings that meet requirements from the operating environment and international commitments.

We have further developed our methodology for systematically assessing the climate transition plans of corporate customers in connection with lending, and work closely with our customers to understand their needs and support them on their way towards reduced emissions. This methodology was applied during the year to large corporate customers in sectors where Swedbank has sector targets by 2030 for the reduction of financed emission intensity. Through partnerships, we can offer customised tools that can make it easier for households and businesses to understand and make decisions about choices that contribute to lower energy consumption and reduced emissions, for example.

As a major operator in the field of asset management, Swedbank Robur has the opportunity to influence business in its portfolio by driving and specifying requirements for their sustainability work and development. We believe that sustainability work and long-term profitability are interlinked. In 2025, dialogues were held with more than 700 businesses and Swedbank Robur voted at more than 1000 general meetings.

Swedbank Robur has expanded its guidelines with position statements on human rights and data security, in addition to the existing areas of animal welfare, biodiversity, climate, protection of children, and workers’ rights.

The loss of nature and biodiversity is a global risk. It can pose a financial risk, especially in sectors such as agriculture, forestry and construction, while new regulations are driving reporting requirements. Swedbank is involved in work to integrate nature and biodiversity in the financial sector through partnerships such as the PRB Nature Community of Practice, the Swedish Biocredit Alliance and research programmes such as Mistra BIOPATH.

We will increasingly consider nature and biodiversity in our business operations, as methodologies and our understanding of Swedbank’s impact and exposure to risks improve. Swedbank Robur has adopted a Nature Strategy based on a framework from the investor initiative Finance for Biodiversity Pledge. The strategy clarifies, among other things, that targets should be set within the nature area and that dialogue should be conducted with portfolio companies.

We want to give people the opportunity to strengthen their financial situation. Through our advice, we can contribute to improved financial health and greater knowledge among our customers. We have developed the Financial Health Index, which measures everyday finances, savings and security in our home markets, in order to better adapt our advice and products. This year’s report shows that overall financial health is unchanged compared with one year ago, 77 per cent have strong or good financial health, while 23 per cent have strained or vulnerable financial health. Education, analysis, donations, and research aid are also parts of this work. In our markets this takes place through various initiatives, in Sweden through the Institute for Financial Health and in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania through the Institute of Finance.

As an employer, Swedbank strives to offer an attractive workplace with sustainable working conditions and a healthy work environment. The climate at the workplace must be inclusive and characterised by our values: open, simple and caring. Employee engagement is monitored through surveys that indicate employee well-being and how they perceive Swedbank as a workplace. We measure this through the Engagement Index and the Sustainable Employee Index, with the aim of achieving a score of at least 80 for each index. The results for the year reflect a continued high and stable level, with both indices amounting to just over 80.

To help achieve an inclusive and equitable workplace, Swedbank also seeks to achieve an even gender balance. Swedbank has a target that the distribution between women and men shall be within the range of 40/60 per cent in top management and other senior management levels.