During the fourth quarter of 2009 BBVA signed a co-operation
agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to
promote the economic and social development of Latin America
and the Caribbean. The goal is to provide more financial and
non-financial services to micro-firms and SMEs. This includes
foreign trade financing, co-financing of infrastructure projects and
education finance. Both organisations have worked in similar
areas; for example:
BBVA’s participation in the Trade Finance Programme.
The collaboration between the IDB’s multilateral investment
fund and BBVA’s Microcredit Foundation to provide broader
access to microcredit in Latin America and the Caribbean.
An agreement on co-operation and technical guidance between
BBVA’s South America Area and the Inter-American Investment
Corporation to support the development of SMEs in the
region.
Other relevant events associated with corporate responsibility
were:
Responsible products and services
BBVA Bancomer launched B+EDUCA, the first mutual fund that
focuses on education. The fund’s subscribers donate 25% of net
monthly interest to help poor students who are high achievers
under a scholarship scheme (Becas Adelante por los que se
quedan). Bancomer also commenced marketing of a new micro-
business card to boost the growth of micro-firms in Mexico.
BBVA, in co-operation with the Spanish chapter of the UN’s
Global Compact, presented Principles for Responsible Investment,
confirming its commitment to socially responsible investment.
BBVA Colombia and the Inter-American Investment Corporation
announced a programme (Greenpyme) to improve the energy
efficiency of SMEs, thus helping to protect the environment. And
the BBVA Group joined the 2010 scheme of Spain’s official credit
institute (ICO) to support the self-employed and small businesses.
Responsible HR management
BBVA’s annual solidarity run took place in Madrid with 7000
participants. Their registration fees went to help children in the
Dadaab refugees camps (Kenya). This is co-ordinated with the
United Nations’ refugee organisation, UNHCR. BBVA matched
the amount collected (€70,000).
Environmental management and climate
change
The 2009 CDP Report for Spain was published with support from
BBVA, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and Ecología y
Desarrollo. It assesses the transparency of the top 85 Spanish
companies regarding climate change and highlights the best
practices in this area. The Group launched a new campaign
Corporate responsibility
(Ayúdanos a plantar un árbol) to encourage employees to use
digital messages and improve their carbon footprint. The aim is to
reduce the use of paper and foster reforestation in various Spanish
regions. In addition BBVA Paraguay opened a new headquarters
that was designed and built in accordance with sustainability
criteria and achieved a LEED Oro certificate. Elsewhere BBVA
Chile won the national energy efficiency prize in the banking
sector awarded by that country’s federation of industry and
commerce, and the Ministry of Energy.
Commitment to society
VOLUNTEERS. BBVA’s Volunteers won a prize for their work on
basic technical training for immigrants in the corporate volunteer
category of the Cibermax Prizes. The volunteers also took part in
an annual competition entailing social projects put forward by
current and past employees.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT. UNICEF and the Kanouté Foundation
are organising a soccer match with star players from the BBVA
League as part of the “Champions for Africa” campaign (also
sponsored by BBVA). The money collected will help to provide
schooling for more than 20,000 children in Mozambique and Mali.
PROMOTION OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY. BBVA is
participating in the third annual Spain–Latin America Conference
on the social responsibility of companies in Spain and Mexico
(Enfoques ante la crisis).
Prizes and recognition
The prize for the best Ibero-American documentary at Mexico
City’s international film festival went to Los que se quedan, which
was sponsored by BBVA.
BBVA and the sustainability indices
BBVA maintained a prominent position in the most important
sustainability indices. Its participation in these is shown below:
Main sustainability indices in which
BBVA participates
(1)
DJSI World 0.80
DJSI STOXX 1.85
DJSI EURO STOXX 3.60
ASPI Eurozone Index 2.60
Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Europe 2.13
Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Global 1.30
FTSE KLD Global Sustainability Index 0.71
FTSE KLD Global Sustainability Index Ex-US 1.23
FTSE KLD Europe Sustainability Index 2.08
FTSE KLD Europe Asia Pacific Sustainability Index 1.41
(1) In May 2009 FTSE and KLD merged their sustainability indices.
BBVA’s participation (%)
4Q09
55
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