With U.S. financial regulators stepping up their oversight of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, financial firms would be well-advised to take steps that could ease their compliance once new rules come into force, according to legal and consulting firms.

Upcoming ESG company disclosure rules, for example, are likely to impact decision-making around bank lending and investment practices, leading to a shift away from clients who are not adhering to sustainability objectives and policies, including around climate issues.

In his comment to Reuters, Atul Vashistha, Chairman, Supply Wisdom predicts that financial institutions may soon require clients to demonstrate adherence to ESG objectives.