OREANDA-NEWS  The Analytical Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) assigned the ESG-AA rating to the Savings Bank at the ESG-2 level.

The rating of this level is the highest among the assigned ACRE in the Russian market. It means that the Beac pays increased attention to environmental issues, social responsibility and corporate governance.

The agency noted that the bank distinguished itself by its policies, procedures and measurable performance indicators in the field of managing key industry ESG risks, a high level of compliance with best practices, as well as the presence in the structure of the portfolio of loans provided for the implementation of "green", adaptation and social projects.

ACRA highly appreciated the expansion of the range of online and digital services, support for federal and regional environmental projects, and the implementation of its own environmental programs. The Agency drew attention to the availability of preferential products for vulnerable and special categories of customers, the contribution to the development of the social sphere of the regions of presence and one hundred percent coverage of employee training.

"The integration of the agenda into business processes in Sberbank is at a very high level: 95 percent of the ESG factors included in the assessment comply with the best international practices," stated Tatyana Zavyalova, Senior Vice President for ESG at Sberbank. According to her, this year a large number of new criteria for the social component have been added to the rating: for example, the availability of specialized financial products and services, the coverage of employees with the VMI program, cooperation with universities. "According to them, the BEAC showed full compliance and received high marks. We will continue to move in this direction, improving our practices for the sustainable development of the country, for the benefit of each of its inhabitants. This is the basis of our new human—centered strategy," she said.

The Bank received the highest score in the corporate governance, cybersecurity and personal data protection areas. Beber's best corporate governance practices were recognized as the high profile experience of collegial bodies, open interaction with investors and stakeholders, as well as an effective corporate governance strategy.