Leumi expanded its U.S. Commercial Banking business into the water sector, an area in which the Leumi Group has long operated in the Israeli market. Currently a $500 billion market in the U.S. and growing exponentially, water is a logical next step in the expansion of the bank’s U.S. Commercial Banking group.

Current projections suggest that by 2030 water will be scarcer than oil, with demand outstripping supply by 40%. Additionally, close to half the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas. Israel has been at the forefront of tackling these challenges and promoting innovative water technology, making strides in desalinization, water metering, water equipment, drip irrigation and more.

Leumi’s U.S. team will leverage more than 50 years of experience in commercial banking, and borrow on the water expertise of their Israeli counterparts, to focus on water equipment and materials, water meters, industrial water treatment, reclamation and reuse and desalinization.

“The focus on water is intensifying. An estimated $1 trillion in new investment is needed just to rehabilitate the current U.S. water infrastructure over the next two decades,” said Shawn McGowen, Leumi’s head of Commercial Banking in the U.S. “With many water-focused companies looking to expand internationally, now is the right time for us to enter this sector. We have the unique advantage of a strong partnership with our parent company and can readily leverage its experience and resources. Simply put, Leumi can provide water-focused companies with full-service banking wherever they do business.”

Much like the technology sector, in which Leumi is also active, the water industry can present unique challenges for banks. Many water innovations come from startups or require long lead-times (e.g., the building of a desalinization plant), so banks may not be equipped to address these needs. Leumi has risen to the challenge by developing a unique set of products and services specifically for water-focused companies, including lending, equipment financing, foreign exchange services and cash management products.

“The water sector is exciting and presents opportunities for real growth,” said Douglas Meyer, the group head leading Leumi’s expansion into the water sector. “There is incredible interest from the market, both on the banking and the investment sides. We are positioned to capitalize on this growing industry with our holistic, relationship-based approach to our clients’ banking needs.”