Herman Wijffels Innovation Award 2003
Rabobank Group's CSR policy leads the way
internationally
64 Rabobank Group Annual Report 2003
In November 2003, Rabobank Group presented the Herman Wijffels
Innovation Award for the second time.The award is meant for entrepre
neurs up to the age of 36 who develop innovative products, services or
processes or who demonstrate a refreshing entrepreneurial approach.
Skills in corporate social responsibility also play a part in the assessment
of candidates. More than fifty entrepreneurs joined in the contest.
Rabobank Group's corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy is recog
nised internationally as leading in this field.This is evidenced by the
biannual sustainability rating awarded by the Swiss SAM institution, the
top international sustainability assessment agency. In 2003, SAM's
sustainability rating for Rabobank was 74% of the maximum score, up
10% on its 2001 assessment. According to SAM, Rabobank Group is
particularly strong in embedding sustainability in its strategy, its relevant
expertise, its social engagement, its active approach to stakeholders and
its risk management. In addition, the higher score is due to a better
environmental policy and the Bank's more transparent corporate
governance structure. With this rating, Rabobank Group ranks number
one in Europe as the best sustainable financial service provider and
number two worldwide.The Group's high sustainability score is also
important in financial terms. Increasingly, investors are influenced in
their actions by the sustainability assessments of the leading agencies in
this field, which they use to get a better insight into the risk profiles of
enterprises they invest in. In this respect, Rabobank bonds are unique,
for they combine our Triple A credit rating with Triple P, the highest
sustainability rating.
The death toll from the
earthquake in Iran rises
to almost 27,000.
