ALEXBANK’s 5th knowledge sharing talk during LEAP was given by Menna El-Taher, Head of Sustainability Monitoring and Reporting Unit, who provided an impeccable learning journey on Sustainability & Sustainability Finance.
The session started with an overview of the principles of ESG (the Environmental, Social & Governance) & how they affected the traditional way of banking within Egypt & the world. This in addition to a recollection of the development in banks when it comes to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The Session also highlighted the priorities of Intesa Sanpaolo Group in the ESG Field, and the actions of ALEXBANK towards the environment, an intricate introductory explanation of ESG.
LEAPers were keen to inquire about Diversity & Inclusion, the balance between males & females, Health & Safety, & Human Rights. Furthermore, discussing the concepts of Corporate Governance, Data Privacy, Equal Pay and Anti-Corruption. 2024 LEAPERs figured out ALEXBANK’s ESG Evolution till reaching as a form of DNA within the bank. – with 2021 being the beginning of efforts towards the transition from CSV (Creating Shared Value) to ESG and the global shift towards sustainability and the role of ALEXANK within the Egyptian community especially from 2018 to 2022. LEAPers delved into a foray of ESG in the banking sector: operational level, i.e., waste management, energy efficiency, employee engagement & physical accessibility & the portfolio. Finalizing the session with examples of ESG in the bank’s portfolio being Sustainable Finance, ESG Risk Mitigation and Digitalization of Products & Services. ALEXBANK welcomed recently 11 new social products and 1 environmental product.
Among many of the session’s topics were the importance of applying ESG to institutions, how to enhance customer and investor acquisition, promotional sustainable finance within 6 principles and ESG regulatory landscape evolution with its aim to build upon the guiding principles for sustainable financing. The evolution mentioned above is a consequence of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 and the 17 SDGs that were adopted from 2015 and are now integrated to include set of targets totaling 169, which interchangeably recognize actions in each area and how countries abide, localize, and aim to accomplish by 2030 – highlighting Egypt vision 2030 as the localized version of this to include 5 key objectives.
Under our Parent Group’s commitment and investment in the ESG and its governance, ALEXBANK proudly updated its structure to best serve our ESG goals from different dimensions, and today the students of our Virtual Summer internship program LEAP 2024 are equipped with an understanding of concepts that include corporate-sustainable lending, its classification criteria, how banks can foster this, & corporate social responsibility within ALEXBANK.
Stay tuned for more knowledge sharing from our Internal Experts to pay forward their profession to the Egyptian Student Community!
Social Sector
3moOn behalf of Bharti Airtel Foundation, I extend heartfelt gratitude to the entire SMBC team for bringing such vibrant energy and enthusiasm to our school. Your support is invaluable in our mission to provide quality education to the thousands of children enrolled in Satya Bharti Schools, both now and in the future.