Sustainability

General principles:

• The Bank Group integrates rules and protections for the environment, human and labour rights and conduct into its policies and procedures to promote Sustainability changes in society and other businesses. The Bank Group considers Sustainability as an integral part of its long-term business strategy.
• The Bank Group integrates the risks related to ESG factors into the overall risk management and risk appetite framework and ensures that these provisions are appropriately integrated into the Bank Group’s other regulations and internal documents
• The Bank Group establishes principles for the integration and management of Sustainability in its day-to-day operations and ensures that the established goals and objectives for sustainable operation are met.
• The Bank Group integrates ESG considerations into its operations, strategic decisions, and overall business development. The prudent management of ESG risks and Sustainability-related opportunities is a prerequisite for the Bank Group and its customers to contribute to an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable environment for future generations.
• It does not tolerate discrimination of any kind: based on gender, race, nationality, religion, etc.
• The Bank Group adheres to high standards of ethics and professional conduct. The Bank Group’s governance structure ensures that ESG factors are taken into account in the assessment of other risks and that appropriate strategic and risk management decisions are made.

We aim to contribute to sustainable business growth and commit, together with the European Union as a whole, to making Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 (European Green Deal).

Sustainable Development Goals

Our Sustainability Policy and operational principles are based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, which aim to ensure the well-being of humanity and the planet. The Bank supports all the SDGs, focusing on those goals to which the Bank can make a significant contribution through its operations and sustainable transformation.

No. 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

• Promoting the long-term sustainable financing of small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed individuals.
• Building modern infrastructure, supporting sustainable industrialisation, and fostering innovation.

No. 13: Climate Action.

• Taking action to assess and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the carbon footprint of the loan portfolio.
• Providing financial products and services to facilitate the transition of the Bank’s customers to low carbon, climate change adaptation and smart Technologies.
• Conducting risk assessments for sectors and customers most vulnerable to climate change risks.

No. 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

• Avoiding funding companies that oppose or seek to discredit the Paris Agreement.
• Designing and developing a responsible banking model.