Corporate responsibility (CR) at BBVA has become a strategic
management tool in the current economic-financial crisis. The most
significant achievements in 2008 were the launch of the 2008-2012
Global Eco-Efficiency Plan, the work on socially responsible investment
(SRI) and our reinforced commitment to society, which focuses on
education. We invested €29.6m in scholarships in Latin America,
benefitting 47,104 children. There has also been considerable activity at
the start of 2009, with investment in social action maintained at €85m.
Access to finance
The BBVA Microcredit Foundation signed various important
agreements. They included one with the Inter-American Development
Bank (IDB) to train 5,700 microcredit account managers in ten
countries and to prepare and distribute a best practice manual for the
microcredit sector in Latin America. Another agreement was signed
with the Organization of Ibero-American States to encourage self-
employment by underpriviledged persons in Colombia and Peru.
Responsible products and services
During the first quarter of 2009 BBVA launched several initiatives. The
Open Talent programme boosts the creativity of business people by
supporting projects and companies in their initial stages in terms of
development of innovative products and services based on technology.
Chosen projects will have BBVA’s support as a banker and as a partner.
Furthermore BBVA and the Valencia Regional Government are providing
people in a dependency situation with finance for antislip systems. In
conjunction with MasterCard, BBVA launched a business card with
special advantages for small firms and the self-employed. These sectors
are amongst the most affected by the economic-financial crisis. They also
announced the Abaco Card, which is exclusively for BBVA shareholders
with more than 500 shares. It enables them to invest in BBVA shares
with the savings obtained when they make their regular purchases.
Lastly, the bank agreed to provide the Spanish Ministry of Defence with
accident insurance for military personnel on peace missions.
Responsible HR management
The Group‘s intranet has introduced a bulletin with offers and
discounts, and it has provided 15,000 employees who do speak Spanish
with a tool for learning this language. BBVA‘s Volunteer Office in Spain
has also been busy handing out toys to immigrant children. It organised
the 4th reforestation conference (for 200 employees and their families)
and the award of prizes for the 2nd Volunteer Course.
Environmental management and climate change
In Spain BBVA sponsored and participated in a study on the risks and
opportunities associated with climate change for companies in the
IBEX35. The study was conducted by the Carbon Disclosure Project
(CDP) and the Ecology and Development Foundation (ECODES). In
addition the Group backed the “Earth Hour” campaign to defend the
environment. For one hour it turned off lights at 49 of its principal
Corporate responsibility
buildings around the world as well as some central branches. In Argentina
BBVA Banco Francés joined a programme to classify waste (Basura Cero).
Lastly, the 2008 BBVA Prize for Frontiers of Knowledge in the climate
change category went to Wallace S. Broecker, an American researcher.
Commitment to society
As part of its commitment to society, BBVA continues to build on its
successful education programme, increasing its scholarships for children
(Niños Adelante) and financing education projects. Here are the highlights:
EDUCATION. BBVA agreed with ACNUR to finance education projects
for refugee children to the extent of €50,000 per year from 2008 to
2010.
SOCIAL ACTION PLAN FOR LATIN AMERICA. Despite difficult
financial conditions BBVA is keeping its promise on investment in this
programme for 2009 and will provide scholarships for 50,000 children.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT. BBVA Colombia and its customers donated
520 million in local currency to UNICEF for areas of the country
affected by the winter. The bank provided 2,690kg of humanitarian aid
for the civil population in Afganistan. And lastly, the Integra Prize was
awarded to a co-operative organisation that offers jobs to the
handicapped.
PROMOTION OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY. BBVA presented
its 7th corporate responsibility report. It preserves the same structure for
relevant affairs but in the innovative format of an interactive digital
magazine.
Prizes and recognition
BBVA was the runner-up in the sustainability report prize awarded by
the Institute of Auditors and the Business Administration & Accounting
Association (both in Spain). And once again it was runner-up in the
CSR Observatory’s ranking of corporate responsibility reports by
companies in the IBEX35 in terms of quality and transparency.
Moreover the Spanish Ministry of Culture acknowleged BBVA’s
contribution to cultural development with the Fine Arts Gold Medal.
BBVA and the sustainability indices
BBVA maintained its prominent position in the most important
sustainability indices. Its participation in these is shown below:
Main sustainability indices in which
BBVA participates
BBVA’s participation (%)
DJSI World 0.59
DJSI STOXX 1.35
DJSI EURO STOXX 2.57
FTSE4Good Global 0.40
FTSE4Good Europe 0.90
FTSE4Good Europe 50 1.33
FTSE4Good IBEX 8.06
ASPI Eurozone Index 2.24
Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Europe 1.81
Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Global 1.05
KLD Global Sustainability Index 0.40
KLD Global Sustainability Index Ex-US 0.70
KLD Europe Sustainability Index 1.20
KLD Europe Asia Pacific Sustainability 0.80
1Q09
51
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