From Commitment to Action: Advancing Sustainability Across the RFHL Group

Truly embedding sustainability into an organisation’s operations is never easy; especially in regions like the Caribbean and West Africa, where urgent socio-economic priorities can be at odds with long-term sustainability goals. With supporting frameworks, policies, and regulations still evolving, regional financial institutions now face the formidable task of balancing the urgency of sustainable transformation with the complex development needs of emerging economies.

At Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL), we have embraced this challenge with purpose and conviction.

Our inaugural Sustainability Report represents an important milestone in our ongoing journey, that began just over three years ago. In that period, RFHL has established itself not only as a regional thought leader in sustainable finance but also as an active contributor to the global sustainability conversation. Our participation in key international forums across Europe, North America, and South America, as well as our partnerships with international organisations stand as a testament to our growing credibility on the world stage. Among the many organisations our Group has partnered with include:
• United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
• United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)
• Green Climate Fund (GCF)
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
• The Atlantic Council.

These achievements are grounded in collaboration, shared purpose, and resolute leadership. Our Board of Directors, Subsidiary Boards, and Executive Leadership Team have consistently demonstrated a belief in the role sustainability must play in shaping our business and strengthening the region we serve. Their stewardship reflects the essence of meaningful leadership - advancing what is necessary, even when the path is complex.

The establishment of a Group Sustainability Unit (GSU) has been instrumental in moving our agenda forward. Steered by our Group Vice President with responsibility for sustainability and our Group General Counsel, this team works to deepen internal integration, represent the RFHL on global platforms, and guide the development of this Report with clarity and ambition.

Across all jurisdictions, our team members have contributed to this journey, each playing a part in building a more sustainable future for the Group and the communities we serve.

For more than three decades, the world has grappled with a single, persistent question: How do we finance sustainable development? Time and again, the answer and the obstacle has been financing. We have seen this challenge firsthand across our subsidiaries. Our mission is clear: to be part of the solution, ensuring that finance flows to where it is most needed: to strengthen economies, empower communities, and safeguard our shared future.

Together, we are proving that sustainable finance is not just possible in our region; it is essential. And this is only the beginning.