BEA Issues 2025 ESG Report

For Immediate Release

• Achievements include completion of a 3-year goal to set interim emissions reduction targets for the Group's carbon-intensive sector portfolios

• Steady progress made towards 2030 net zero operational emissions goal, with Group emissions reduced by 39.7% against the 2019 baseline

• Technology Innovation identified as a strategic priority in latest materiality assessment

  Hong Kong, 30 March 2026 - The Bank of East Asia, Limited ("BEA" or "the Bank") has released its Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG") Report for the year ended 31 December 2025.

  Amid the growing uncertainties on global climate policies, BEA is upholding its commitment to strengthen climate resilience. Mr Adrian Li, Co-Chief Executive of BEA, said: "2025 marked a pivotal milestone for us. We successfully delivered on our three-year roadmap set in 2022, establishing interim financed emissions targets across our Group's carbon-intensive sectors. By developing a thorough understanding of the impact of our financing activities, we are now well-positioned to amplify our efforts in supporting our customers on their low-carbon transition journey."

  Mr Brian Li, Co-Chief Executive and Chairman of the ESG Steering Committee of BEA, explained: "As the ESG landscape continues to evolve, we have sharpened our focus on the material risks and opportunities that shape our long-term value. In 2025, we identified "Technology Innovation" as one of our ESG strategic priorities to proactively navigate the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. By leveraging cutting-edge technology underpinned by rigorous governance, we are ensuring BEA remains resilient, agile, and prepared for the challenges of tomorrow."

  Highlights of the Report include:

  Embracing Technology and Innovation:

• Established a three-year A.I. strategy to strengthen data and A.I. governance

• 18% of Group staff1 were upskilled on A.I. in 2025, with targets to reach 35% of A.I. competency by 2026, and 50% by 2027

• 20% of operational processes are now supported by A.I.

• BEA has transformed its Global Services Centre from being a data processing and customer contact centre to an Information Technology Development & Test Centre,

  ‌1Includes applicable staff in Hong Kong and BEA Global Services Centre

  focused on delivering centralised support and fostering Group-wide technology innovation

  Committed to Achieving Net Zero:

• The first bank headquartered in Hong Kong to join the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking

• Achieved a three-year goal to set interim emissions reduction targets for the Group's carbon-intensive sector portfolios

• Established transition plans for the Automotive Manufacturing and Steel sectors, supporting the goal to achieve net zero financed emissions by 2050

• Achieved 39.7% reduction in operational emissions against the 2019 baseline, exceeding the target for 2025, paving the way for net zero operational emissions by 2030

  Achieving Steady Growth in Green and Sustainable Finance ("GSF"):

• Recorded HK$92.2 billion in GSF loans and ESG bond investments (+13.2% yoy)

• GSF loans and ESG bonds accounted for 17.8% of total corporate loans and bond investments

• BEA China executed its inaugural transition loan to support the decarbonisation of the steel sector in the Chinese Mainland

  Strengthening ESG Performance and Disclosure:

• Aligned disclosures with the Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standard S2 Climate-related Disclosures and the People's Bank of China's "Guidelines for Sustainability Information Disclosure of Financial Institutions"

• Named an "Industry Mover" in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook (China) 2025, marking the Group's second consecutive year to be included in the annual yearbook

• MSCI ESG Rating upgraded from "BBB" to "A"

In addition, BEA continued to deepen its social impact through various community investment programmes, most notably the "Palliative Care for the Elderly" Programme, which celebrated its 15th anniversary last year. Since its establishment, the Programme has supported over 3,000 elders and their family members with integrated care and counselling, trained over 10,000 healthcare professionals on palliative care education, and engaged over 48,000 citizens in outreach programmes.

In response to the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Bank donated HK$10 million to the HKSAR Government's Support Fund and launched the "BEA Community Support Fund" to encourage staff donations across the Group, which enabled the Hong Kong Holistic Popular Mental Health Association to provide pro bono professional psychological and psychiatric services to residents in need. The staff in the Chinese Mainland also extended their support through the China Social Welfare Foundation, raising funds for five Hong Kong non-governmental organisations.

To strengthen oversight of its corporate social responsibility activities across the Bank Group, BEA has recently established its Community Investment Committee. By aligning strategic priorities and resources, the Bank strives to maximise the positive impact on the communities it serves.

BEA's 2025 ESG Report can be accessed here.

Incorporated in 1918, The Bank of East Asia, Limited ("BEA") is a leading Hong Kong-based financial services group with total consolidated assets of HK$921.0 billion (US$118.3 billion) as of 31 December 2025.

BEA provides a comprehensive range of wholesale banking, personal banking, wealth management and investment services to customers through an extensive network of about 120 outlets covering Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Macau, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. For more information, please visit: https://www.hkbea.com.

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