Tools for Implementing ESG Factors in Asset Management Banking Policies: The Case of Fideuram-Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.p.A

Investment banks are able to move large amounts of capital toward sectors and companies operating according to ESG criteria. This research investigates the integration of sustainability in banking asset management through the analysis of two essential components: the offer of sustainable products and the policies of customer awareness on sustainability. The survey uses the case study method to analyze Fideuram-Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.p.A., the Italian leader in private banking. The data collection was based on two sources. Information regarding the offering of sustainable financial products was obtained from the company’s published documents. Data relating to the knowledge of investor-held sustainability were collected through a questionnaire directed at private bankers as central figures for the placement of financial products. The results show how an evolved offer of sustainable investment solutions combined with the adoption of appropriate customer engagement measures is a suitable tool for feeding the virtuous path that leads to sustainable growth. From a theoretical point of view, this study contributes to the knowledge of sustainability-oriented banking asset management policies, while in practical terms, it offers a concrete example of successful solutions from which operators aiming to promote sustainable finance could draw useful indications.