Exploring the role of CSR FinTech and green finance in achieving SDGs in terms of sustainable performance of banks

Abstract

In recent years, financial technology (FinTech), green finance (GF), and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have emerged as pivotal drivers of environmental sustainability within financial institutions. This study examines the relationships among CSR, FinTech adoption (FA), GF, and sustainable performance of banks (SPB), and their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in the Indian banking context. Data were collected from employees of six public sector and five private sector banks in India between January and April 2025 using a purposive sampling technique to ensure alignment with the study’s objectives and respondent eligibility. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to analyze the proposed relationships, along with the mediating and moderating roles of environmental consciousness (EC) and digital transformation (DT). The findings indicate that CSR, FA, and GF are significantly associated with enhanced SPB, while CSR and GF show significant links with SDG-related outcomes; however, FA does not exhibit a direct association with SDGs. Both EC and DT play significant mediating and moderating roles in strengthening these relationships. The study offers practical implications for bank managers and policymakers to advance sustainability by integrating eco-friendly financial practices with digital transformation strategies to improve performance and SDG alignment.