Respect for people’s dignity and their inherent rights is an essential requirement for BBVA. Since late 2012, the Bank has been a member of the “Thun Group of Banks”, a group set up with the aim of helping implement the “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” in the banking sector. In 4Q13, an initial working paper was released, containing reflections on the value of principles for the financial business.
BBVA has also joined the “Global Initiative for Sustainability Ratings” (GISR). Its aim is to design a standard to accredit the sustainability ratings, indices and rankings found on the market and to step up the contribution made by companies and other organizations to sustainable development.
During the last quarter of 2013, there have also been other milestones in terms of corporate responsibility:
Financial Inclusion
BBVA Colombia has announced an alliance with Grupo Gelsa to open 140 banking correspondents in the country. This will enable customers to carry out different transactions (deposits, payments, withdrawals, transfers, etc.) at the established service points.
The BBVA Microfinance Foundation has launched its new website, designed for those who want to learn about the work carried out by the Foundation, which to date has enabled 1.4 million people from underprivileged backgrounds to perform sustainable productive activities in Latin America.
Financial literacy
In Spain, the Instituto BBVA de Pensiones (BBVA Pensions Institute) has been set up and the Bank has launched the “Mi Jubilación” (“My Retirement”) initiative, that includes studies and educational contents about the pensions system to help the general public take rational and informed decisions.
BBVA Chile has set up the “Educación Financiera para Jóvenes” (“Financial Literacy for Young People”) and “Adelante con tu Futuro para Colegios” (“Forward with Your Future for Schools”) programs to help children and young people take informed financial decisions.
Responsible Banking
Human resources. BBVA was the only Bank included in the “Best Companies to Work For” world ranking in 2013, prepared by “Great Place To Work”. It also ranked first among companies headquartered in Spain. In Mexico, BBVA Bancomer, which is committed to developing its human capital, has set up the Bancomer University, whose educational model is focused on comprehensive personal development.
Customer-centric approach. “Yo Soy Empleo” (I am Employment) has been selected to be a part of the 2013-2015 campaign of Enterprise 2020, within the “Skills for Employment” topic, through which over 13,000 will find a job. Since its launch in February 2013, this initiative has supported 2,173 business people, who have hired over 3,300 people who had been unemployed for an average of 13 months. Furthermore, 1,733 people have already received training through the program.
In omni-channel banking, BBVA is working on improvements and new channels to make communication easier for customers. For example, “Drive-thru”, a device which BBVA Compass customers can use to access many branch services in real time without having to get out of their car. In Spain, BBVA has presented “Creditpyme”, a pioneering tool with which SMEs and entrepreneurs can check their financial position in a simple way from any device; and “BBVA Wallet”, a mobile app which offers users a quick and secure way of managing card transactions through their smartphone, and which has been downloaded 15,000 times in less than 10 days.
Community involvement
In Spain, the VII Carrera Solidaria BBVA (7th BBVA Solidarity Race) has raised 160,000 euros to set up a cooperative store, coordinated by Cáritas Madrid.
In social entrepreneurship, the “Momentum Project” in Spain launched its 4th edition. In Mexico, six companies have been selected to take part, which will receive funding to make their growth plans a reality. In Peru, six social enterprises have been selected and will receive help to materialize their expansion plan.
The Ruta BBVA has presented the 2014 “En Busca de las Fuentes del Río Amazonas. El Misterio de la Danza de los Cóndores” (“The Search for the Sources of the Amazon River. The Mystery of the Dance of the Condors”) expedition, which will travel through southern Peru and Spain. This year, social entrepreneurship has been one of the key focus of the Route.
BBVA in the Sustainability Indices
BBVA has a prominent position in the main sustainability indices at international level. As of December 31, 2013, its weightings were as follows:
Main sustainability indices in which BBVA participates
|
|
Weighting (%) | |
|---|---|---|
|
DJSI World | 0.75 |
| DJSI Europe | 1.53 | |
| DJSI Eurozone | 3.12 | |
|
Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Europe | 0.80 |
| Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Global | 0.83 | |
|
MSCI World ESG Index | 0.43 |
| MSCI World ex USA ESG Index | 0.91 | |
| MSCI Europe ESG Index | 1.54 | |
| MSCI EAFE ESG Index | 1.00 | |
|
FTSE4Good Global | 0.43 |
| FTSE4Good Global 100 | 0.73 | |
| FTSE4Good Europe | 1.04 | |
| FTSE4Good Europe 50 | 1.73 | |
Further information and contact details are available at www.bancaparatodos.com