How Do Green Banking Practices Impact Banks’ Profitability? A Meta-Analysis

In light of the growing global emphasis on sustainability, understanding the nexus between green banking practices and banks’ profitability is essential and timely. The main aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis examining the link between green banking practices and banks’ profitability. Based on 28 proxy relationships between green banking and green financing activities on banks profitability, a random-effects meta-analytic model was used to examine the corresponding effect sizes. An overall positive statistically insignificant effect size between green financing and green banking activities on banks profitability was established, implying that green banking activities do not consistently translate into financial benefits. However, this study established considerable heterogeneity of the results due to the application of different methodologies in diverse geographical contexts and varying green financing proxies. The study strongly recommends banks and policymakers adopt tailor-made, evidence-based green financing strategies to align their sustainability initiatives with market realities, regulatory frameworks, and institutional capacities. Such strategies promote the pursuit of both financial performance and environmental responsibility.