Abstract
ESG scores are a measure that reveals the performance of companies regarding their investments
and activities in the fields of environmental, social, and corporate governance. In recent years, this
concept, which emerged because of companies developing reporting models by considering the
demands from stakeholders, has begun to become more decisive on the financial decisions of all
stakeholders. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ESG scores on financial performance
of Turkish commercial banks in the period of 2010-2020. In the analyzes performed using the PCSE
and FGLS panel data estimators, it has been concluded that the total ESG, social (SPS) and corporate
governance (GPS) scores of the banks positively affect the accounting and market-based performance indicators (ROA and Tobin’s Q). On the other hand, it was seen that the environmental (EPS) score did not have a statistically significant effect on both performance indicators. In addition, the results show that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a decrease in banks’ performance as measured by ROA and Tobin’s Q. Analysis outcomes indicate that giving more importance to non-financial reporting and ESG activities will contribute to enhancing firm performance.