HSBC UK launches new sustainable finance proposition to support B Corp certified businesses
The new initiative forms part of HSBC’s ambition to provide and facilitate between $750bn and $1tn of sustainable finance and investment by 2030.
The Business Impact Initiative (BII), a new sustainable finance proposition developed with support from B Lab UK, offers an up-front fee discount to eligible small to medium sized businesses that hold a valid B Corp™ certification - a globally recognised standard for social and environmental responsibility.
Eligible B Corp™ Certified businesses can access discounted fees on a range of HSBC UK business loan and trade products, on facilities starting at £300,000. Facilities can be used for any corporate purpose.
London Climate Action Week is a major annual moment in the capital’s climate calendar, bringing together businesses, policymakers and investors to accelerate practical climate solutions through a programme of events, collaboration and public engagement across London.
Launching BII during the week reinforces HSBC UK’s focus on supporting and backing businesses, verified by B Lab UK that meet its standards of social and environmental performance.
There are around 2,900 B Corps in the UK, spanning a wide range of sectors. Through BII, eligible customers can benefit from a sustainability-linked finance option designed to be simple and transparent.
Rob King, Head of Sustainable Finance & Transition HSBC UK said: “We are delighted to launch the HSBC Business Impact Initiative to help incentivise businesses that are increasingly expected by their customers, employees – and society at large – to be having a positive impact in their community, and incorporate sustainability into their working practices, all while driving growth and building their own long-term resilience.
“B Corp™ certification verified by B Lab UK is a signal that a business is committed to its standards of social and environmental performance.
“Launching the Business Impact Initiative during London Climate Action Week underlines our focus on backing businesses that are building a more sustainable economy, with a tangible pricing benefit that supports their growth.”
Rosalind Holley, Director at B Lab UK added: “By recognising businesses that meet verified standards of social and environmental practices, HSBC UK's Business Impact Initiative sends an important signal about the role finance can play in accelerating a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable economy.
“As the challenges facing people and the planet become increasingly complex, collaboration between businesses, financial institutions and policymakers will be essential. We welcome initiatives that reward companies taking meaningful action and helping make responsible business practices the norm rather than the exception.”
Learn more about how businesses are becoming B Corp certified and how HSBC UK’s Business Impact Initiative is supporting businesses to make a difference.
Media enquiries to:
Chioma Dijeh-Lester, Media Relations Manager, HSBC UK: Chioma.dijeh-lester@hsbc.com
Email: UKPressOffice@hsbc.co.uk
Notes to editors:
About HSBC UK
HSBC UK serves over 15 million active customers across the UK, supported by 23,800 colleagues. HSBC UK offers a complete range of retail banking and wealth management to personal and private banking customers, as well as commercial banking for small to medium businesses and large corporates. HSBC UK is a ring-fenced bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc.
HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 56 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,306bn at 31 March 2026, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.
B Lab
B Lab™ is the nonprofit organisation behind the B Corp movement. B Lab creates standards, policies, tools, and programs to reimagine capitalism, and build a new economic system that benefits people and the planet. B Lab has created and led efforts to pass over 50 corporate statutes globally, advocating for stakeholder governance that requires business decisions to benefit workers, communities, and the environment.
Certified B Corporations™, or B Corps, are companies verified as meeting standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. To date, the B Corp community spans over 10,000 B Corps across more than 100 countries and over 160 industries, collectively employing more than 1 million people. The UK hosts the largest B Corp community in the world with over 2,700 certified businesses.
To learn more and join the movement, visit www.bcorporation.uk.