How HSBC Boosts Sustainable Financing Access for UK B-Corps

Access to funding is essential for the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

HSBC has committed to providing and facilitating between US$750bn and US$1tn of sustainable finance and investment by 2030.

To advance this goal and support British businesses, HSBC UK is offering upfront fee discounts to eligible B Corp-certified SMEs.

Growth and resilience

Through HSBC’s Business Impact Initiative (BII), businesses can access discounted fees on loans and trade products for facilities starting at £300,000 (US$400,000), available for any corporate purpose.

“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,” says Rob King, Head of Sustainable Finance & Transition at HSBC UK.

“B Corp certification verified by B Lab UK is a signal that a business is committed to its standards of social and environmental performance.

“Sustainable finance can be a critical enabler of this transition because it connects capital with sustainability outcomes—helping businesses fund decarbonisation, improve resource efficiency, and build climate resilience.

"Done well, it can help turn sustainability ambition into reality: reducing risk, improving operational efficiency, and opening new markets and customer opportunities as the economy shifts.”

What is a B Corp?

Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies with verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Certification is administered by the non-profit B Lab, which sets the relevant standards and policies.

The UK hosts the largest B Corp community in the world, with more than 2,700 certified businesses.

Over the past year, UK B Corps saw a 20% increase in turnover, nearly seven times higher than that of other SMEs.

Employee numbers at B Corp SMEs rose by 11%, compared to a 2% increase among other SMEs.

In the past decade, UK B Corps received an average of £1.5m (US$2m) in growth funding, 18% above the national average.

"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,” says Rosalind Holley, Director at B Lab UK.

“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.”

HSBC's sustainable finance progress

HSBC’s 2025 financial results show how the bank is deploying capital across its markets to advance climate targets through sustainable finance and investments.

It has invested more than US$100bn in sustainable finance and investment.

The company serves around 41 million customers across 57 markets, making it one of the world’s biggest financial organisations.

Through sustainable practices, HSBC aims to support the broader transition toward an inclusive and environmentally conscious financial sector, underscoring the importance of institutional leadership in advancing global sustainability goals, it says.