Report to Society 2024

Environmental

Transformation and economy

Enabling transformation, strengthening SMEs

The ecological transformation of the economy is one of the most urgent challenges of our time – and it particularly affects small and medium-sized enterprises. Small and medium-sized enterprises are under increasing pressure to act: energy prices, climate risks, a shortage of skilled labour and regulatory requirements call for sustainable strategies. At the same time, enormous opportunities are opening up – from potential savings and innovation opportunities to competitive advantages and improved employer attractiveness.

To get started, however, it is crucial to know which measures are considered sustainable and how such investments can be financed. The Savings Banks Finance Group provides companies with targeted support on these issues with an advisory and product offering on transformation financing developed specifically for SMEs. The focus is on the S-transformation loan and S-transformation leasing – two financing instruments that enable investments in sustainable projects at a feasible cost.

Over 280 savings banks
and partners within the Savings Banks Finance Group commit to climate protection and sustainable business practices (as of 31.12.2024)
Over 200 purposes
for investments in the sustainable transformation of the German economy
€580
million
in completed S-Transformation loan volume by Haspa

Both products are based on a specially developed financing framework that is based on recognised standards such as the EU taxonomy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It enables savings banks to classify over 200 investment purposes – in areas such as energy efficiency, building refurbishment, vehicle fleet conversion or the circular economy. The bureaucratic effort for the companies remains low. Qualified advisors act as the first point of contact and provide impetus, take on the classification and accompany the entire process. The aim is to make sustainable transformation plannable, affordable and verifiable for companies.

The transformation financing programme is now in use at various savings banks throughout Germany. Initial experience reports from Hamburger Sparkasse (Haspa) and Sparkasse KölnBonn show that the programme is attracting interest: The offer is attracting interest and creating the basis for a broad-based transformation. Companies appreciate the combination of personal support, clear orientation and customised financing.

Despite the comparatively short period of time since its introduction, Haspa, the largest savings bank in Germany, has concluded a volume of EUR 580 million in S-transformation loans in 2024 and will continue to advance the transformation of Hamburg’s SME sector in 2025 by further qualifying its employees. Sparkasse KölnBonn has even won an award with its offer. In May 2025, it was the first savings bank ever to win the ESG Transformation Award in the “Transformation Finance” category – a scientific prize that aims to raise the profile of ESG initiatives in the economy as a whole.

In this way, the Savings Banks Finance Group clearly demonstrates what it means to assume social responsibility: It not only provides capital for the transformation – but also structure, partnership and a perspective.