Strategy and targets
Rabobank Group's ambition is to remain a
corporate social responsibility (CSR) leader in
financial services. This is in support of customer
value, continuity, long-term profitability and the
risk profile and thereby in support of the triple A
rating. Ethical business practices, transparency
and accountability - these are Rabobank's watch
words. The annual CSR monitor shows that the
bank has succeeded in achieving the greater part
of its targets for 2005. Rabobank retained its
position as Europe's most sustainable bank in the
sustainability rating of the Swiss Sustainable Asset
Management Group (SAM). In both 2006 and
2007, applying CSR will be central to Rabobank's
core processes. To that end, each Group entity
has identified two CSR targets that relate to that
entity's primary function. This is another important
step on the road to further integration of CSR
throughout the organisation.
62 Rabobank Group Annual Report 2005
Corporate social
responsibility
Sustainability is embedded in Rabobank's cooperative structure, which in
turn is closely linked with such principles as duty of care, inclusiveness,
openness and dialogue with society. Over the past one hundred years
and more, Rabobank has developed from a purely lending-oriented
cooperative to a customer-oriented cooperative, with customer value
and member engagement as central elements. Corporate social
responsibility is therefore a logical consequence of Rabobank's core
values 'committed' and 'near-you'.
Rabobank is the food agri market leader in the Netherlands and
wishes to expand its activities in this market globally through organic
growth and selected acquisitions. This ambition obliges Rabobank, on
the basis of its cooperative philosophy, to place CSR high on its policy
agenda. Through CSR, Rabobank wants to contribute towards creating
long-term value for its clients, employees and investors as well as for
society and the environment in the broadest sense.
This includes staff compliance with CSR standards on items such as
respect, integrity and professionalism. It also includes the application of
sustainability criteria in the bank's own financial services and products
by implementing CSR standards in loan granting, propositions for
sustainable investment funds and payment and savings products, and
transparent product and delivery conditions. Also, staff must be offered
opportunities for professional development and social engagement.
In operational terms, the focus is on efficiency, lower environmental
impact, reduced energy consumption and paper use, sustainability in
building and responsible procurement.
Further strengthening of Rabobank's identity and
Sales growth in CSR products and
reputation as a cooperative bank that is highly
services
committed and focuses on sustainability.
Further expansion of the Rabobank
Stronger market orientation of corporate social
Development Program
responsibility (CSR) through accelerated integra
Further reduction of the environmental
tion of CSR criteria in the lending process.
impact by actions
