E&S Management System for Finabank Suriname

We developed an Environmental & Social Management System for Finabank Suriname

Finabank is a commercial bank in Suriname, operating under the supervision of the Central Bank. As part of its commitment to responsible banking and in alignment with its investors’ requirements, Finabank sought to develop a tailored Environmental & Social Management System (ESMS). The challenge was to design a system that matched international standards while remaining feasible and pragmatic for Finabank’s institutional capacity and local operational context.

Steward Redqueen supported Finabank in developing and implementing a fully operational ESMS. The system was designed to comply with IDB Invest’s Environmental & Social Sustainability Policy and IFC Performance Standards, with particular attention to risks relevant to Suriname, such as governance, mining, and deforestation.

The ESMS was built around five core components: a Sustainability Risk Policy outlining Finabank’s principles and standards for (E&S) risk management, including implementation mechanisms and client requirements; an Exclusion List; a Sustainability Risk Manual serving as a step-by-step guide for embedding E&S risk management into the credit process; a Sustainability Risk Toolkit for E&S due diligence; and Contract Clauses with standardised E&S terms and conditions for client contracts.

Finabank now operates a robust ESMS that enables it to assess and mitigate environmental and social risks across its lending portfolio. The system is aligned with international standards and tailored to the bank’s operational reality. It strengthens Finabank’s sustainability credentials and supports its long-term commitment to responsible finance.