19 February 2026, Singapore – Standard Chartered Singapore (“the Bank”) has structured its first ESG-linked cash account for a domestically incorporated company in the region. The Singapore incorporated client, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), is one of the nation’s leading homegrown data centre operators with 2.3GW in IT capacity across more than 100 data centres in 12 major markets. This ESG-linked solution is designed to link sustainability performance with returns on cash balances, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to supporting clients, including those in Singapore and ASEAN, in their efforts to embed sustainability into their Treasury management.

The ESG-linked cash account integrates the client’s key ESG performance indicators (KPIs) and Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs) to reward progress for achieving material ESG-related objectives. As such, enhanced interest rates are applied on the balances in the ESG-linked Cash Account when the data centre achieves pre-determined SPTs.

These indicators are carefully selected to be material and relevant to the client’s specific business operations, ensuring that the targets set are ambitious and benchmarked against industry peers, as well as the client’s own sustainability track record.

Chow Wan Thonh, Head of Coverage, Singapore and ASEAN, Standard Chartered, said: “As global demand for digital infrastructure accelerates, data centres are critical to supporting cloud, AI and enterprise transformation, increasing the need for greater capacity alongside more sustainable, energy-efficient operations. STT GDC plays a pivotal role through its expanding global footprint and advancing its sustainability agenda. We are pleased to be a long-standing partner, providing innovative sustainability financing and solutions to support its growth and transition. As a bank that seeks to facilitate sustainable growth, we are committed to supporting our clients through practical solutions that accompany them on this transition and contribute to long-term outcomes for the wider economy.”

Data centres are among Singapore’s most energy-intensive industries and play a critical role in supporting the nation’s digital economy. The solution is designed to support the operator in meeting both commercial and climate objectives by rewarding measurable reductions in emissions and improvements in efficiency.

“Partnering with Standard Chartered on this pioneering ESG-linked Cash Account reinforces our dedication to transparency and measurable progress as we move towards our goal of carbon-neutral data centre operations by 2030. At STT GDC, we are committed to advancing sustainable practices across all facets of our operations. This innovative solution not only integrates sustainability into our financial management, but also motivates us to achieve even more ambitious ESG outcomes for our customers, communities, and the environment,” said Rebecca Ng, Deputy Group Chief Financial Officer at STT GDC.

The ESG-linked cash account is in line with Singapore’s goal to be a centre of excellence for sustainable finance, using finance to help accelerate decarbonisation.

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker