The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces unique challenges and opportunities in integrating sustainability into sovereign credit assessments. This research study examines environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors embedded in the lending policies of jurisdictional institutions in MENA. By analyzing existing literature and case studies, we identify key drivers and barriers to ESG integration in sovereign lending. Our findings suggest a growing recognition of sustainability’s importance in financial stability and credit, driven by global climate guarantees and local socio-economic development. However, challenges such as data availability, regulatory frameworks, and market acceptance persist. This paper provides an overview of current practices, highlights best practices, and offers recommendations to enhance ESG integration in sovereign debt reviews in the MENA region. The study concludes that a robust ESG framework is necessary to accurately reflect the long-term risks and opportunities associated with sovereign debt, ultimately contributing to sustainable economic growth regionally.

This study deals with the impact of Vietnam bank size, loans, credit risk, and liquidity on Vietnam banks’ net interest margin, which are crucial for economic development. High profit margins result in a lower bad debt ratio due to timely loan collection and good liquidity. This study applies a panel data model to evaluate the relationship among bank size, loans, credit risk, liquidity, and marginal profitability, which are increasingly important in commercial bank growth. Data were collected from 2010 to 2022, and test methods were applied to select a good-fit model. Realizing that the factors that have a close correlation and affect the profit margin are 33.6% and 16.07%, 75.2%, 37.51%, 64.30%, and 41.11%, and R2 is 59.04%, respectively, this suggests that financial managers need to develop appropriate strategies and policies to adjust the factors that adversely affect commercial bank profitability.

This study investigates the impact of corporate carbon performance on financing costs, focusing on S&P 500 companies from 2015 to 2022. Utilizing a fixed-effects regression model, the research reveals a complex U-shaped nonlinear relationship between carbon intensity (CI) and cost of debt (COD). The sample comprises 2896 firm-year observations, with CI measured by the ratio of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to annual sales. The findings indicate that companies with higher CI initially face increased COD due to heightened regulatory and operational risks. However, as CI falls below a certain threshold, further reductions in emissions can paradoxically lead to increased COD, likely due to the substantial investments required for advanced technologies. Additionally, a positive relationship between CI and cost of equity (COE) is observed, suggesting that shareholders demand higher returns from companies with greater environmental risks. These results underscore the importance of balancing short-term and long-term environmental strategies. The study highlights the need for corporate managers to communicate the long-term benefits of environmental efforts effectively to creditors and investors. Policymakers should consider these dynamics when designing regulations that incentivize lower carbon emissions.

I summarize the current regulatory decisions aimed at combating the debt load of the population in Russia. Further, I show that the level of delinquency of the population on loans is growing despite the regulatory measures taken. In my opinion, the basis of regulatory policy should move from de facto pushing personal bankruptcies to preventing them. I put forward a hypothesis and statistically prove the expediency of quantitative restrictions on one borrower. It is necessary to introduce reports to the credit bureaus of some types of overdue debts, which are not actually reported now. It is also necessary to change the order of debt repayment established by law, allowing the principal and current interest to be paid first, which will prevent the expansion of the debt.

The banking sector is a pillar of the world’s economic fabric and is today facing a major revolution due to the demands of sustainable development objectives and the evolution of sustainable finance tools. This article analyses the impact of green credit on commercial banks’ performance based on data from 10 commercial banks in China between 2012 and 2022. The study found that in the short term, the implementation of green credit has a positive effect on the income level of commercial banks’ intermediate activities and a moderating effect on their return on total assets and non-performing loan ratio.

Agriculture is a determining factor regarding the development of the Romanian economy, noting its importance for population consumption and as a supplier of raw materials for the relaunch of other industries. Agricultural financing consists of credits granted to natural or legal persons for developing agricultural activities, expanding agricultural holdings, and commercializing agricultural production. The objective of this research is the statistical analysis of the determining factors in granting loans to Romanian farms. The study is based on the content analysis of the accounting reports of the 45 Romanian farms included in the research sample, based on which the profile of the farmer from the selected counties (Alba, Cluj, Mures, Sibiu, Dambovita and Prahova) is outlined. The obtained results highlight the fact that factors such as the requested amount (SUSO) are directly influenced by the worked area (TELU), by the turnover (CIAF), R = 0.6228, but also by the total value of the assets (TOTAL) R = 0.454. At the opposite pole, there is a weak correlation between SUSO and current liquidity (LICU), R = 0.2754, and the value of recorded expenses (CHEL), R = 0.3102. Implementing a credit policy that facilitates access to financing sources would support farms in modernization and development, increasing their competitiveness and general viability.