"The Bank has made progress not only in terms of financial ratios, efficiency and portfolio quality, but also in the further implementation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in its business activities. Only companies that adapt to the dynamically changing ESG environment will be successful in the long term. Yet change requires investment. As a bank, we have an important role to play here and we want to actively seize the relevant opportunities. Hamburg Commercial Bank is fully committed to complying with ESG criteria and developing them further. The Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals serve as key guidelines for the Bank’s efforts here." Ian Banwell, Chief Executive Officer
Key Performance Indicators
For HCOB, sustainability means future viability. The Bank acknowledges that aligning its business model and processes to sustainability requirements is one of the critical success factors for the future - considering both the opportunities and the risks related to environmental, social and governance factors (ESG).
Green new business production1
Electricity from renewable energy2
Female senior experts and management functions3
Average ESG Scoring results of loan portfolio4
Women in the workforce
Average spent on training per employee
(thereof ESG-related training: 4h)
Total donations to charitable organisations
1) Indicative internal validation in accordance with economic criteria of EU Taxonomy on best effort basis, e.g. with calculations irrespective of clients’ NFRD obligation | 2) Direct purchase of electricity from renewable energy sources | 3) Excl. BU Heads; senior experts and management functions, meaning employees with competency levels 4 & 5, active employees Germany, based on Head Count | 4) Evaluated with HCOB’s internal ESG Scoring methodology with results based on individual loan reviews
ESG Ratings
The Bank’s Guiding Principles serve as orientation for HCOB’s sustainable business conduct and as decision guidance for Bank members to contribute to sustainable transformation.
What Sustainability means to HCOB
1 Taking on responsibility
As a leading banking partner, we take on responsibility to carry out sustainable business activities, as a lasting investment in a sustainable future and a world that needs to be preserved.
2 ESG is part of the HCOB DNA
Sustainable action is a formative component of our HCOB DNA. This clearly reflects our business orientation and our management of risks. In the stringent and independent governance of ESG aspects, the members of our Management Board take active responsibility. We are characterised by our culture of effective, responsible and transparent management.
3 Financing sustainable activities
We aim to extend our financing activities in sustainable business activities and projects and offer ESG-oriented products. We intend to have a more sustainable loan portfolio and to contribute to the achievement of the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
4 Supporting sustainable transformation
We actively support the transformation of our clients’ business models towards greater sustainability.
5 Committed to climate protection
As a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), we set a clear commitment to climate protection and sustainable action. We aim to implement sustainability aspects in all of the Bank’s business areas and therefore commit to reduce the Bank’s impact on climate change in all business operations and strengthen internal company awareness for ecological sustainability and resource protection
6 Employees are key
We regard motivated and qualified employees as key to achieving sustainability. Flexible working arrangements that allow employees to strike a balance between their career and family commitments are important to us. Discrimination or harassment of employees in any form is unacceptable to us. We believe that diversity is beneficial to our success.
7 Innovating sustainably
We combine sustainability in our operating business with technology, digitalisation and innovation.