Investing with purpose
This shift has fueled the rise of meaningful investing, where affluent individuals are increasingly looking beyond financial performance and seeking purpose in their portfolios.
For a new generation of affluent investors, particularly millennials and Gen Zs who are building or inheriting wealth, consideration for long-term ESG factors is now seen as standard and expected.
These investors want to know that their financial decisions reflect their values, whether that means supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, backing companies with strong social governance, or contributing to long-term environmental resilience.
A practical guide
As sustainable investing becomes more mainstream, the term ESG is showing up more often in wealth and portfolio conversations.
But what does it mean in this context and how is it measured?
ESG stands for the three key lenses investors use to assess how responsibly a company operates beyond financials:
> Environmental: How a company manages emissions, energy, waste, and biodiversity impact.
> Social: How it treats workers, customers and communities. This includes labour rights, privacy and diversity.
> Governance: How the company is run from board oversight and ethics to executive pay and transparency.
To help investors navigate these factors, ESG ratings are used as benchmarking tools
Independent agencies like MSCI, Sustainalytics, and S&P Global assign scores based on how well companies manage ESG risks and opportunities compared to their peers.
Most ratings use either a letter-grade scale such as CCC to AAA; or a numerical scale such as 0 to 100, where higher scores reflect stronger ESG performance.
Crucially, a high ESG rating does not mean a company is perfectly 'green' or ethical. It means that it is managing ESG issues better than others in its sector.
For instance, a mining company with strong environmental controls may still score well, despite the industry's overall footprint.
Ratings are a helpful starting point, but not a final judgment. Agencies may score the same company differently due to varied data sources or methodologies.
Hence, investors are encouraged to combine ESG scores with company disclosures, regional or thematic insights, professional advice as well as personal or sector values.
As the field evolves, regulators are pushing for greater consistency and transparency in ESG assessments. In the end, ESG isn't about labelling a company as 'good' or 'bad.'
It helps businesses make better-informed investment decisions that align profit with purpose.
Shaping purposeful wealth journeys
Recognising this growing interest in sustainability, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (OCBC Bank) has taken a holistic approach to help clients integrate ESG considerations into their investment journeys.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all model, the bank empowers clients to make informed, values-aligned decisions through a suite of solutions, including:
> Digital tools that support discovery and decision-making such as ESG fund screeners, portfolio analysers and thematic investment journeys that highlight opportunities in areas like climate tech or social impact. Some tools even estimate the carbon footprint or impact potential of a client's portfolio.
> Strategic partnerships with some of
the world's top investment managers —including BlackRock, Fidelity, and Schroders—to expand access to high- quality, sustainability-focused investment products.
> Dedicated advisory from relationship managers trained in ESG topics, ensuring clients receive timely, relevant, and personalised guidance.
This approach ensures that the bank's clients are supported at every stage—from understanding ESG concepts to building portfolios that reflect both their financial objectives and personal values.
Importantly, it recognises that responsible investing does not require compromising on performance.
Fusing sustainability with service
OCBC Bank's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its products and services.
The consideration of sustainability is even applied to design thinking of its client spaces.
The bank's Premier Private Client Centre in Bangsar, for instance, was conceived with ESG principles in mind. Its features include:
> Energy-efficient systems to reduce carbon footprint.
> Biophilic elements, which promote wellbeing and energy efficiency—bringing natural light and greenery into the space.
> EV charging bays, encouraging the use of low-emission vehicles.
> Incorporation of Malaysian heritage and art, supporting local culture and contributing to the communities' social sustainability.
These design choices reflect OCBC Bank's belief that ESG should go beyond portfolios to shape the entire client experience—from advisory conversations to appreciation of physical spaces.
Wealth with intention
As clients increasingly seek to align their investments with their values, financial institutions play a vital role by providing access to sustainable products and supporting informed, confident decision-making.
OCBC Bank remains committed to helping clients navigate this transition. By offering relevant tools, expert insights, and purpose-driven solutions, the bank enables investors to take a long-term view—building portfolios that are financially robust, ethically grounded, and aligned with the future they wish to see.
It's all part of the bank's goal to make sustainable investing a natural and empowering part of every client's journey.
OCBC Bank's commitment to excellence in sustainable finance has been recognised across the region:
> Malaysia International Green Financing Bank of the Year awarded by ABF Wholesale Banking Awards 2025
> Best Sustainability Sukuk awarded by The Asset
> Green Project Deal of the Year awarded by The Asset
> Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards 2024
> Best Bank for Sustainable Finance (Malaysia)
The bank is also known for its overall banking and environmental excellence:
> Malaysia Bank of The Year awarded by The Banker
> Best Green Data Centre awarded by the Green Climate Initiative and Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology
> Asian Banking & Finance Retail Banking Awards 2025: Branch Innovation of the Year; Private Wealth Bank of the Year—Malaysia
Scan to learn more about OCBC Bank's sustainable solutions for investing and financing.
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