Deutsche Bank creates a new executive-level role focused on scaling global sustainable finance initiatives, naming Esra Turk to lead.
The bank delivered €28.4 billion in sustainable finance in Q2 2025—its strongest quarter since 2021—driven by sovereign deals and landmark infrastructure financing.
Deutsche Bank signals heightened focus on emerging markets where demand for renewable energy is high but infrastructure gaps remain.
Deutsche Bank has appointed Esra Turk as its first-ever Global Head of Sustainable Finance, a new position created to expand and lead the bank’s sustainable finance activities across markets. Turk will report directly to Chief Sustainability Officer Jörg Eigendorf.
Turk joined Deutsche Bank in 2021 and previously led the CEEMEA Institutional Client Group and served as Chair of the Investment Bank for the Middle East and Africa. Before that, she spent 18 years at Barclays in various senior commercial roles.
Announcing the appointment, Eigendorf stated:
“We have a critical role to play in supporting companies and governments globally to transition to a low-carbon economy. The world needs to transition at an unprecedented pace and we at Deutsche Bank are determined to facilitate this fundamental change wherever possible.”
He emphasized Turk’s broad regional experience as key to her new role:
“With her deep client insights and her experience of running FIC Coverage in Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America for Deutsche Bank, Esra is perfectly suited to lead our sustainable finance franchise to the next level globally.”
Turk’s appointment coincides with Deutsche Bank’s strongest sustainable finance quarter since 2021. In Q2 2025, the bank provided €28.4 billion in sustainable finance, underscoring growing client demand for energy transition solutions.
RELATED ARTICLE: Deutsche Bank Links Management Pay to Decarbonization Goals in Sustainability Push: Deutsche Bank’s 2023 Report
Among its recent transactions:
Corporate Bank financed Australia’s first Renewable Energy Zone transmission network, which is expected to supply electricity to over two million homes annually.
Investment Bank served as global coordinator on a €1.4 billion debt financing for German renewable firm NeXtWind.
Capital Markets acted as Joint Lead Manager for Slovenia’s inaugural €1 billion 10-year sustainability-linked bond and Iberdrola’s issuance of the first EU Green Bond by a Spanish company.
Private Bank added €5 billion in ESG assets under management and new lending.
Eigendorf reinforced the client-driven nature of the momentum:
“Our clients, whether corporate, institutional or private, want solutions to finance the transition of the energy infrastructure and link their performance to sustainability indicators. It has become a normal part of doing business and prudent risk management – as it has become for us.”
Turk added: “We see particularly exciting opportunities in emerging markets where demand for renewable energy is growing fast, but infrastructure still needs to be developed. There is huge scope to make a difference.”
The creation of Turk’s role reflects Deutsche Bank’s strategy to embed sustainability deeper into its core businesses and align capital flows with global climate goals.
Follow ESG News on LinkedIn
