Contemporary Issues in Sustainable Finance From Impact to Transparency: a journey into traditional financial products

This book explores the evolving landscape of sustainable finance across various sectors and delves into critical topics ranging from the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria in investment decisions to the transformative potential of blockchain technology. In more detail, three main perspectives are addressed: the issue of materiality and integrating ESG factors in the firm business model; the trends in the debt and credit markets; and the role of governance and transparency. In nine chapters, the book covers both a theoretical approach as well as empirical analysis, providing essential perspectives for regulators, investors, practitioners, and scholars navigating the complex landscape of sustainable finance.

Chapter 1 Introduction The Rising Importance of Sustainable Finance: A Crucial Global Priority.- Section 1–Impact & Transparency.- Chapter 2 Sustainable finance and impact investments in micro-small and medium enterprises: the role of financial literacy.- Chapter 3 A social impact measurement tool developed for social enterprises.- Chapter 4 Unlocking transparency: harnessing blockchain for anti-money laundering in alternative assets. The case of fine art and real estate.- Chapter 5 Transparency during M&A transactions: does it reward or discount? An empirical study.- Chapter 6 How to deal with tax avoidance in sustainable finance?.- Chapter 7 ESG, Sustainability and Materiality Analysis In The Factoring Supply Chain.- Section 2 – Products & Markets.- Chapter 8 ESG European framework in the Italian leasing industry: a textual analysis.- Chapter 9 One step forward, one step back: sustainable securitisations before and after the EU Green Bond Standard.

Mario La Torre is Full Professor in Sustainable Finance and Impact Banking at the Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome. Mario carries out research in banking, financial intermediaries and financial markets, impact finance and ethical finance, and finance for the culture and media industry. He is the author and co-author of many international books and papers. He is the editor of the series Palgrave Studies in Impact Finance.

Sabrina Leo is Associate Professor at the Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome. She is a Lecturer in Strategies, Performance and Digital Innovation in Banking, in Economics of Financial Intermediaries, and in Economics and Management of Banking. Her recent research focuses on the impact of technologies in the financial system and on innovation in the payment system.