SuStainability report - SocialFunds.com

Sustainability Report 2008Message from the Presidency2009 will present difficulties for the worldeconomy. We are facing an economic andfinancial crisis that began in developedeconomies and was soon affecting thereal economy with significant declinesin consumption and employment.For Brazil, the question is not whetherit will be affected by the crisis, butthe magnitude of its effects in oureconomy and how well we can resistthem, considering several preventivemeasures that have been adopted byBrazilian authorities.The Bradesco Organization stronglybelieves in Brazil, which was recentlyrated “investment grade,” and we areconvinced that much has already beendone, and still, there is enormousgrowth potential even despite the crisis.Certainly, under these circumstances,the challenges to be faced become evengreater, but we will maintain our targetsand our business objectives. Moreover,over the past years, we have seen a trendtoward consolidation in the Brazilianbanking system, with the reposititioningof some large institutions, that hasincreased the maturity of the bankingsystem and also created new challenges.In 2008, we were faithful to ourcommitment to Brazil’s development,assisting more people and companiesin accessing banking products andservices, expanding our loan operationsand increasing our presence in thenational territory.Based on our Values and belief in thestrength of the Brazilian economy, wefocus on three great pillars: sustainablefinance, responsible management andsocial-environmental investments. In2008, we have achieved meaningfulthings on these fronts.In order to make deeper the relationshipwith our stakeholders, in 2008, we heldthe 1 st Bradesco Cycle of Dialogue withStakeholders, with the participation ofemployee, customer, supplier, government,community, NGO and academiccommunity representatives that were atremendous help in preparing this report.Everyday we stress the importanceof ethical conduct. We reviewedthe Bradesco Organization’s Codeof Ethical Conduct and created theSector Code of Ethical Conduct ofPurchasing Professionals that sets forththe guidelines for this professional’srelationship with suppliers, and wecontinue valuing citizenship. In 2008, wereiterated our commitment to respectingand promoting human rights and,together with several world leaders, wesigned a document supporting the 60 thanniversary of the Universal Declarationof Human Rights.4