2010 Access Bank Annual Report and Accounts

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Annual Report Introduction & Business Chairman & Chief Operating Our People Corporate Social Contents Overview Executive’s Review Review & Culture Responsibility At Access Bank Plc, we recognise that responsible business practice is fundamental to our long-term success. Our approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is versatile, as we believe it must be. In 2010, to ensure its continued relevance, we undertook a rigorous process to comprehensively review our CSR strategy in line with global trends and developments. As a result, the Bank’s CSR strategy is currently implemented through a two-pronged approach of responsible business practice and community investment. Responsible business practice Access Bank’s responsible banking philosophy promotes financial growth and enhances sustainable social and environmental causes across a range of stakeholder groups. The Bank’s responsible business practice is reflected in all aspects of its business operations which include, but are not limited to, the following: Economic development and advocacy: The Bank achieves this through establishing linkages with local and international governmental, non-governmental and private organisations of repute to provide cuttingedge thought leadership and develop an innovative business approach to societal development. Gender and small and medium enterprise (SME) finance: Access Bank aims to create equal financial opportunities through its support for new and/or emerging businesses. This promotes financial growth while enhancing social and environmental causes. Environment: Core to our responsible practice is our support for global sustainability efforts at making business operations more conducive for individuals and the environment. Treating customers fairly: Through this practice, we aim to build and maintain sustainable, long-term relationships with our customers. Employee and partner relations: This enables the Bank to create an engaging and inclusive work environment while also developing new business opportunities through CSR and sustainability initiatives. In 2010, Access Bank’s innovative business approach to societal development was achieved through the following initiatives: — Access Bank contributed significantly towards the adoption of the International Finance Reporting Standard (IFRS) in Nigeria. To this end, the Bank organised an IFRS International Conference aimed at preparing Nigerian banking industry stakeholders for the successful adoption of the IFRS by December 31st, 2012. — Reputed as a ‘Bank of Best Practice’, Access Bank has commenced the strategic integration of environmental and social (E&S) risk management considerations into its business operations. The review takes all significant E&S issues into consideration while ensuring that our business operations do not degrade the environment or cause social harm. Through this project, Access Bank achieved the following: — Developed specific E&S policies for sectors such as Oil & Gas and Cement which have the greatest impacts on E&S risks. — Reviewed and aligned E&S policy and procedures with international best practice standards — Developed a risk management toolkit that will assist the Bank in screening projects to identify potential E&S risks; determine appropriate level of E&S due diligence required for projects and integrate E&S policy into existing credit processes. My Tree and I Mini Health Mission 1 OF 2 Access Bank Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2010
Annual Report Introduction & Business Chairman & Chief Operating Our People Corporate Social Contents Overview Executive’s Review Review & Culture Responsibility Cervical Cancer Awareness Programme Community investment With an ongoing commitment to appropriate 1% of annual profits in support of charitable investments, the Bank actively seeks to improve the affairs of host communities. It is noteworthy that despite the difficult operating environment in 2010, Access Bank did not curtail its commitments to social investments. Access Bank’s community investment is conducted through strategic sponsorships and donations; partnerships and employee volunteering. Sponsorships and donations At Access Bank, we also believe that Africans should take responsibility for the development of Africa. To this end, the Bank has taken a significant partnership step with the Global Fund by contributing the sum of US$1 million to fund Global Fund’s ‘Gift From Africa’ Project. This will be used to implement various strategic projects to combat HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria across Africa. Partnerships Notable projects include the training of 250 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria workplace policies and programmes in partnership with Friends of the Global Fund Africa, the hosting of a nationwide essay competition titled ‘My Tree and I’, and the launch of Green Clubs in 36 schools across Nigeria under our “Going Green; Beyond Words” project in collaboration with Idea Builders Initiative. Employee volunteering As a best-in-class financial services provider, the Bank believes that its employees have their own responsibility to contribute to societal development and so it supports participation in impactful initiatives to address social concerns. Empowered to contribute ideas, skills and resources to address social issues, our 4500 employees are actively engaged in various high impact and sustainable community development initiatives across Africa in the focus areas of education, health and the environment. So far, over 25,000 lives have been touched and impacted through our employees. This includes around 15,000 students in educational institutions, 100 orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS, 1500 secondary school students educated about HIV/AIDS, 4000 hospital patients, 2000 community members gaining access to portable water and around 3500 orphans, old people, prison inmates and motherless children. Through employees’ Adopt-A-School project, various institutions such as Mafoluku Grammar School and Ladipo Grammar School have been renovated and provided with facilities to ensure a conducive learning environment; our mentorship and skills sharing initiative has enhanced the National Youth Service Corp Scheme while also benefiting secondary school students and teachers. Our employees have developed stage plays to educate stakeholders on HIV/AIDS and have also provided communities such as Ibeju Lekki with borehole facilities for portable water. Oni Memorial Hospital and Apapa General Hospital are beneficiaries of our hospital intervention projects. The Cervical Cancer Awareness Programme has provided free screening for women and we also sponsored cataract eye surgery for the less privileged in Calabar and Yola. In recognition of our CSR efforts, Access Bank was named ‘Most Socially Responsible Bank 2010’ at the African Banker Awards. Most Socially Responsible Bank 2010 2 OF 2 Access Bank Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2010
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2010 Access Bank Annual Report and Accounts

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