Green products and practices within sustainable banking in the European Union and the Republic of Serbia

Contemporary concepts of sustainable banking increasingly rest on the assumption that banks' responsibility towards society and the environment cannot be achieved through isolated initiatives, but through the integration of sustainability into core business models. Green products and practices represent one of the key mechanisms through which sustainability is embedded in banking operations and strategic capital allocation decisions. The analytical approach in this paper is aimed at examining the role of green products and practices in the function of sustainable banking, with particular reference to the technological, organizational, and social dimensions of banking operations in the European Union and the Republic of Serbia. The analysis is based on a qualitative review of relevant academic and professional literature, along with a synthesis of contemporary banking practices. Special emphasis is placed on process digitalization, the development of green financial products, and the role of sustainability criteria in shaping credit policies and banks' social responsibility. The analysis indicates that green products and practices represent important drivers of the transformation of traditional banking models, while simultaneously contributing to operational efficiency and the long-term stability of the financial system.