United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) has reported significant progress in sustainable finance and green banking initiatives with the launch of its third independent sustainability report, titled “Transforming Intent into Planetary Impact”, at its corporate office in Dhaka.

The report highlights the bank's environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, corporate governance and sustainable finance activities during 2025, following international IFRS S1 and S2 disclosure standards. UCB has also introduced a web-based interactive sustainability report, described as a first for Bangladesh's banking sector.

In 2025, UCB disbursed Tk 17,927 crore in sustainable finance, representing 72.29% of its total disbursements, significantly exceeding Bangladesh Bank's regulatory baseline of 20%. Green finance disbursements reached Tk 488.67 crore, accounting for 30.40% of term loan disbursements, against a target of 5%. The bank's outstanding green finance portfolio stood at Tk 2,744 crore.

The bank also financed 27 LEED-certified green industrial establishments, including 12 platinum-rated and 13 gold-rated facilities, while facilitating more than $3 billion in ready-made garment exports.

UCB operates 34 solar-powered branches, four solar ATMs and 630 agent banking outlets across all 64 districts of Bangladesh. It also maintains 50 sustainable finance help desks to support rural and semi-urban entrepreneurs.

According to the report, the bank's credit deployment supported more than 200,000 jobs nationwide, with women accounting for approximately 30% of these positions. UCB also contributed Tk 1,803 crore to the national exchequer in 2025.

The bank's latest sustainability initiatives highlight the growing role of green finance in supporting Bangladesh's industrial development, particularly its textile and garment manufacturing sector.