This paper goes beyond the relationship between a bank ESG performance (ESGP) and corporate financial performance (CFP). Here, the link between ESG factors and financial benchmarks is analysed to verify whether banks may find in the market reaction sufficient stimuli (higher CFP) to adopt ESG conduct spontaneously. Using panel estimation methods on European banks listed in STOXX Europe 600, between 2008 and 2019, this paper tests the relationship between ESGP and CFP considering different dimensions of financial performance at once, both accounted‐based (ROA and ROE) and market‐based (Capitalisation to Book Value, Tobin's Q). Besides, we employ VBM (EVA Spread) not previously considered. The main findings support the current approach of banking authorities, focusing on bank ESG risks, more than ESG opportunities, in order to “force” banks into adopting a new ESG business model, at this early stage of transition to sustainability.

Green bonds (or climate bonds) are one of the most used sustainable investment instruments, and under the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, the climate bond market is expected to thrive in the near future. Green bonds are gaining increasing popularity between environmentally responsible investors, as well as investors who “simply” attempt to benefit from portfolio diversification, including green issuances, that are close to other fixed bonds. This paper aims to take advantage of previous literature contributions on the green bond market to indicate the way forward for future research. Herein, through a systematic literature review on the green bond market, our ultimate goal is to provide investors, main markets actors, and policymakers with some helpful insight on the role of environmental investments in reshaping the financial markets and fostering the sustainability of the economy.

This paper aims to investigate the Sukuk industry and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) applications exploring their fundamentals and criticisms to shed light on potential opportunities both for Sukuk issuances and for the securitisation industry. DLTs are characterised by intense competition and potential future disruption in the banking and finance industry for both conventional and IF arena and Sukuk industry representing a leading sector. Using a case-study analysis on some pioneers’ Blockchain-based Smart Sukuk and tokenisation projects, we try to identify the potential streamlining of the inquiry and issuance process. This paper contributes to the literature on Sukuk and the use of DLTs matching the need demand and supply-side, highlighting new opportunities for the Islamic Finance (IF) standardisation, considering the different interpretation of Shariah between countries making up a barrier to its growth. Therefore, the ShariahTech industry's outgrowth might contribute to developing new instruments as ancillary or alternative to conventional bonds providing new policy implications for regulatory authorities and stimulating the global market competition.

This paper aims to contribute to the literature debate on the regulators’ dilemma affecting international financial regulations focusing on the banking regulation of dual financial systems. In this regard, the paper provides a new taxonomy of Islamic Financial Systems considering the banking regulation as a driver for the classification and a more detailed definition of dual financial systems. The literature review reveals the existence of different financial system structures affected by socio-cultural biases due to different characteristics of various countries and financial systems globally. The risk of regulatory arbitrage or over-regulation phenomena is high, stifling the growth and the level playing field for both some systemically financial systems.

This paper offers a systematic literature review of age-related disparities in the adoption of digital payment systems, a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly relevant as financial transactions become predominantly digital. Using the SPAR-4-SLR protocol, 66 scholarly contributions published between 2014 and 2024 are examined and categorised into four thematic clusters: demographic determinants, behavioural drivers, structural barriers linked to the grey digital divide, and emerging insights from neurofinance. The review highlights a multifactorial set of barriers that limit older adults’ engagement with digital payments, including usability challenges, cognitive and physical limitations, digital skill gaps, and perceived security risks. These obstacles are further amplified by structural inequalities such as socio-economic status, geographic location, and infrastructural constraints. While digital payments are often presented as tools of inclusion, the findings underscore the risk of exclusion for ageing populations without tailored design and policy interventions. The review also identifies areas for further research, particularly at the intersection of ageing, cognitive function, and human–technology interaction, proposing a research agenda that supports more inclusive and age-responsive financial innovation.