Socially Responsible Financial Products as a Contribution of Financial Institutions to Sustainable Development

The article concerns the responsibility of financial institutions, primarily banks, for sustainable development and pro-ecological activities. The aim of the presented study is to identify the scope of activities of financial institutions in the field of sustainable development. What roles could banks have in contributing to sustainable development by offering socially responsible financial products? The authors conducted both quantitative research on a random group of Polish managers and a Delphi study on a group of several dozen experts, former members of the government, and bank presidents. The main results of the research indicate a 78% support among Polish managers for the activities of enterprises in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. More than 60% of the experts surveyed said that offering socially responsible financial products by banks is a growing trend in the economy. Moreover, two-thirds of the study’s participants think that such products are to be characterized by lower fees and margins than other standard financial products. Examples of the most frequently mentioned and expected products include those related to the development of green energy and eco-innovations or waste disposal. The results of the conducted research clearly indicate the need for financial institutions or banks to offer socially responsible financial products, which should become a part of their development strategies.