The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, is investing up to US$100 million in a green bond issued by KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited (KBank), marking IFC’s first investment in the Thai bank. The bond aims to promote sustainable, resource-efficient practices, create jobs, and support innovation across key sectors of Thailand’s economy. Proceeds will be used to expand KBank’s sustainable assets, including green buildings and electric vehicles, while enhancing environmental standards and reducing pollution.
Dr. Karin Boonlertvanich, Executive Vice President of KBank, emphasized that the partnership will enable clients to adopt low-carbon technologies, strengthen competitiveness, and provide greater access to green lifestyles, supporting Thailand’s Net Zero target. In addition to financing, IFC and KBank are collaborating on knowledge sharing and capacity-building initiatives to diversify sustainable assets and strengthen environmental and social practices.
The partnership is expected to drive a strategic shift toward sustainability and efficiency across industries critical to Thailand’s economic development, such as mobility, housing, and infrastructure. Allen Forlemu, IFC Regional Industry Director, Financial Institutions Group, Asia & Pacific, highlighted that mobilizing capital toward sustainable assets can foster innovation, job creation, and long-term economic resilience.
This investment forms part of the World Bank Group’s broader engagement with Thailand ahead of the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings scheduled for October 2026 in Bangkok. IFC, which operates in over 100 countries, leverages capital, expertise, and influence to create opportunities in emerging markets, committing $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries in fiscal year 2025.
KASIKORNBANK operates under a sustainability-focused strategy, emphasizing corporate governance, risk management, and value creation for stakeholders. Through its “3+1 Strategy and Productivity,” KBank seeks to enhance credit performance, expand capital-lite fee income, and strengthen sales and service models while leveraging technology, data analytics, and performance-driven practices to boost competitiveness and generate long-term revenue growth.
