Its initiatives are impacting people in "positive and meaningful ways"
ASB has scooped the Corporate ESG Award at the 2023 Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand (INFINZ) awards, in recognition of the bank’s leadership in the environmental, social, and governance space.
ASB won the award for demonstrating genuine commitment to encouraging and nurturing diversity, mental health, and working conditions for its people and suppliers and for championing sustainability.
“It was a pleasure hearing directly from ASB staff and customers how this is impacting them and their businesses in positive and meaningful ways and [we] felt it went well beyond being just a box-ticking exercise,” the judges said.
Nigel Annett, ASB executive general manager for corporate banking, said the award was a reflection of the team’s hard work, and it was humbling to have the bank’s work recognised.
“Our ESG policy and framework is at the heart of a lot of the work we do,” Annett said. “We have a responsibility to manage environmental and social risks and to proactively identify opportunities supporting the wellbeing of New Zealanders now and in the future. We’re incredibly proud to have won this award for our work in the ESG space.”
ASB said its climate support includes helping corporate customers develop their ESG strategies through sustainability transition loans, and executing sustainability-linked loans with customers such as Craigmore, Yealands and most recently Trevelyan's, alongside delivering its 2022 Climate Report.
ASB has put significant effort in its partnership with Youthline to boost youth mental wellbeing, as well as in initiatives supporting the Rainbow Community, embedding Te Ao Māori across the organisation, and a commitment to education via the gifting of MAGS farm to the Mount Albert Grammar School Foundation.
“It’s been a very busy year for our team, and we have a lot more great work in the pipeline which we’re really excited about,” Annett said. “We’re looking forward to continuing this sustainability journey with our people and our customers, and we are committed to helping shape a more sustainable future for all New Zealanders.”
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