CB BureauYes Bank, India’s fifth largest private sector bank, has been selected
as an index component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices in the Emerging
Markets Index. The Index comprises of 92 companies from 14 emerging economies
including China, Brazil, South Africa and Taiwan. The selection is effective
from 21 September 2015 and valid for one year.
Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices are the
longest-running sustainability benchmarks globally that follow a best-in-class
approach to measure the performance of global sustainability leaders. It is a
part of the S&P Dow Jones Indices, the world’s largest global resource for
index-based concepts, data and research. Together with S&P Dow Jones
Indices, RobecoSAM – a global sustainability investment specialist, publishes
the globally recognized Indices. This year, the world’s largest 3,400 companies
from developed and emerging markets were invited to take part in its annual
Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA).
To be selected into the DJSI, Yes Bank underwent assessment on some 1,000
data points that included:
• economic dimensions
such as corporate governance, financial stability and systemic risk, and risk and
crisis management
• social dimensions
such as climate strategy, environmental policy/management system, and environmental
reporting
• environmental
dimensions such as financial inclusion, human capital development, social
reporting, and stakeholder engagement
In line with its ‘responsible banking’ policy, Yes Bank focusses on
linking sustainable development with stakeholder value creation and benchmarks
itself as a financial institution for inclusivity and sustainability in India.
Rana Kapoor, managing director and CEO, Yes Bank, said, ‘We are
extremely proud to be the first Indian bank to be selected in the Dow Jones
Sustainability Indices, in the Emerging Markets Index. We believe that banks
being central to an economy should influence and facilitate positive impact. Yes
Bank strives to set an industry benchmark towards creating a sustainable
ecosystem and serve our customers, clients, employees and communities better.
We certainly hope that this global recognition will help evangelise
sustainability and environment management in the entire banking sector.’
Recently, Yes Bank and International Finance
Corporation (IFC) opened trading of the world’s first Green Masala Bond of Rs
3.15 billion issued by IFC and listed on the London Stock Exchange. IFC has
invested the proceeds of the bond in Yes Bank’s Green Bonds, and the proceeds will
be used by Yes Bank to fund renewable-energy projects including solar power and
wind power projects.