CSRD, reporting and beyond: challenges and opportunities for financial institutions

The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) presents both challenges and criticisms, but it will also offer more ESG information for financial institutions' investments and exposures. Banks and investors are realizing that addressing the supervisory expectations about non-financial disclosure and risk management represents a significant challenge. This article starts by briefly exploring the regulatory requirements for the thematic areas covered by the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Next, we present a snapshot of Significant Italian banks’ awareness and coverage of ESRS-related topics, by conducting a content analysis focused on their non-financial reporting. We also outline some major governance and risk assessment actions that banks should take with regard to the CSRD. These insights can provide valuable considerations and guidance for financial institutions navigating the complex terrains of ESG risk management and reporting.