81
Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2017
GRI content index / Assurance statement Engaged citizen Fair partner Responsible banker Sustainability management Overview Foreword
Fair partner
RBI is a fair business and dialogue partner to all stakeholders. As a partner, we interact in an open and respectful
manner with employees, customers, business partners, shareholders and other stakeholder groups. Transparency
– that is to say, the disclosure of measurable objectives and the reporting of measures taken and the success in
meeting their targets – forms our central, overarching guiding principle.
We foster and promote constructive exchange with our stakeholders. We also endeavor to recognize the needs
of our most important stakeholders, and to act within the scope of our powers.
RBI places great value on fair business and operational practices. This includes fairness and transparency towards
employees, customers and shareholders. Just as important to us is exemplary conduct within our sphere of influence.
In our Code of Conduct, we have clearly stated that in our pursuit of profit, there must be no violations of law or
of the Code itself. We forgo business that can only take place through such practices.
The rules of fair competition clearly apply to RBI. We feel obliged to offer an outstanding service culture which
strives to exceed the expectations of our customers wherever possible. When making recommendations, we
ensure that they are given in an honest and fair manner and that the customers are adequately informed about
the risks. False or misleading advertising is something we feel is unacceptable.
RBI stands for transparent disclosure and responsible marketing. Our reporting on business activities and sustainability
is conducted transparently and comprehensively, based upon recognized and authorized international standards
(such as the Global Reporting Initiative/GRI). As such, our communication with stakeholders goes beyond the
statutory requirements.
At a time when banking is more than ever a matter of trust, the reception that our customers have given us shows
that our fair approach is the correct one. This trust is based on our deep roots in the countries and our relationships
with their people, and also on the efforts made by our employees every day to deepen this trust. We share a
common goal with our customers: Success. We have internalized this company principle and put it into practice
every day, such as in the way we actively offer our customers tailored, personalized solutions based upon their
requirements.
Our employees are our most important asset and the key to the success of RBI. Numerically, they represent the
second largest group of stakeholders, just behind our customers. We encourage them, but we also demand
excellence from them. We are committed to living by the performance principle and promoting team spirit. This
means that we want the very best people, who will become even better with us. In return, we provide systematic
further training, attractive development opportunities and a working atmosphere characterized by team spirit.
We work closely with our shareholders and see them as both dialogue partners and consultants. Additionally,
we share an open dialogue on many levels with representatives of our stakeholders, and we are active participants
in various forums such as the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the United Nations Environmental
Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), Transparency International, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and
respACT – Austrian Business Council for Sustainable Development.
We also view environmental and climate protection as part of our responsibility toward society, and we see
ourselves as a fair partner to the environment. The direct environmental impacts of our operational activities are
limited compared to those of production industries. Nevertheless, RBI has the goal of minimizing negative
environmental impacts at all of its sites to the greatest possible extent, and – where possible – to go beyond
basic compliance with statutory requirements and demands.