Otti Bisang, environmental advisor - Credit Suisse, Switzerland
Bruno Bisschof, Public Policy - Sustainability Affairs Credit Suisse, Switzerland
bank public comment:
This comment dates back to 2007, when Credit Suisse was scored for the first Mind the Gap report.
Credit Suisse employs a thorough internal process to examine particular transactions or client relationships in view of sustainability issues (environmental, social, human rights) and potential reputational risks. The process is based on our commitments to the UNEP FI, the UN Global Compact and the Equator Principles and ensures that relevant issues, such as those mentioned in the BankTrack report, are dealt with appropriately. Our ratings by sustainability rating agencies and index providers confirm that this is a suitable approach.
Credit Suisse was founded in 1856. It provides
companies, institutional clients and high-net-worth private clients worldwide,
as well as retail clients in Switzerland, with advisory services, comprehensive
solutions, and innovative products.
The CDP impels organisations to record their carbon footprint in daily activities. Encouraging enterprises to calculate and disclose their carbon impact, this initiative highlights the challenge for financial institutions to determine exactly how much carbon output can be attributed to financing.
Voluntary framework to guide the finance sector in tackling the challenge of climate change. They address the management of operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provide direction on managing climate change in research activities; asset management; retail banking; insurance & re-insurance; corporate banking; investment banking & markets; project finance.
The EPs are a set of guidelines, based upon the Performance Standards and guidelines from the IFC, the World Bank's private sector lending arm for private banks to asesses and mitigate risks in project finance. Banks use the Principles to guide internal operating procedures for transaction for specific projects. Although the EPs are an important step to raise overall standards of financiers and projects in the developing world, they currently fall short on transparency and governance requirements.
The verification and full publication of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas and mining is supported by the EITI. Financial institutions can participate and encourage resource-rich countries to support the initiative that aims to defeat poverty, corruption and conflict caused by weak transparency and accountability.
As the name suggests, the GRI aims to standardise good practice in transparency. GRI provides companies with guidelines to organise their annual report with reporting indices and standards addressing environmental, social and economic issues that business ought to address when telling the world about its performance.
The UN Global Compact is a set of ten principles that companies may sign voluntarily. Signatories promise to avoid complicity in human rights violations, adhere to labour standards, protect the environment and avoid corruption. The G8 countries urge companies to participate in this initiative, and with over 2900 companies signing up, the Global Compact has momentum. A voluntary and network based framework, the Global Compact actively promotes peer review and stakeholder participation.
UNEP is the 'voice of the environment' for the United Nations system, promoting international cooperation in the field of the environment. Issues concerning the financial community are addressed by the UNEP Finance Initiative which promotes investment in clean and renewable energy by financial institutions and other investors. Financial insititutions wishing to join must sign one of two Statements (for financial institutions and a separate one for the insurance industry).
UNPRI is a set of six principles direct institutional investors may adopt to consider environmental, social and corporate governance issues when investing. Voluntary and aspirational in nature, UNPRI has since its inception in 2006 attracted 200 signatories, representing US$8 trillion worth of investments.
Since the turn of the century a group of twelve banks known as the Wolfsberg Group have collaborated to improve ethical standards. The principles provide guidance on money laundering, corruption and the financing of terrorism. They have been produced to address deficiencies in areas 'yet to be fully articulated by lawmakers or regulators'.
Credit Suisse has also developed additional sustainability policies. You can find them below, or under 'documents' in the menu.
For more and detailed information about this sector, have a look at the agriculture sector page
scoring method
The bank is active in this sector but has no investment policy for this sector;
The bank: has
only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or initiative (relevant for
this sector); or has
developed its own policy, but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy, that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has
developed its own policy and: this
includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or
this
includes the essential elements in its asset management;
The bank has
developed its own policy and: this
includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking as well
as its asset management; or
this
includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and
investment banking; or this
includes both the essential and additional elements in its asset management;
The
bank has developed its own policy and this includes both the essential and
additional elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset
management
When
the bank does not have an integrated agriculture policy but has policies on
individual commodities, we will assess these policies individually and score
them as a whole as described above. It is important for the specific commodity
policies that they follow the commodity specific international standards listed under 'best practice' at the agriculture sector page and include at least the essential elements described.
For more and detailed information about this sector, please have a look at the arms trade sector page
scoring method
The bank is active in this sector but has no investment policy for this sector;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or initiative relevant for this sector; or has developed its own policy, but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy, that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking; orthis includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
The bank is active in this sector but has no investment policy for this sector;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or initiative relevant for this sector; or has developed its own policy, but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy, that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking;or this includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its asset management;
The
bank has developed its own policy and this includes both the essential
and additional elements in its lending and investment banking as well
as its asset management.
For more and detailed information, please have a look at the forestry sector page
scoring method
The bank is active in this sector but has no investment policy for this sector;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or initiative relevant for this sector; or has developed its own policy, but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy, that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking; orthis includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
For more and detailed information about this, please have a look at the mining sector page
scoring method
The bank is active in this sector but has no investment policy for this sector;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or initiative relevant for this sector; or has developed its own policy, but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy, that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking; orthis includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
additional information
This score is based on the fact that Credit Suisse has adopted the Equator Principles.
For more and detailed information about this, please have a look at the oil and gas sector page
scoring method
The bank is active in this sector but has no investment policy for this sector;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or initiative relevant for this sector; or has developed its own policy, but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy, that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking; orthis includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
additional information
This score is based on the fact that Credit Suisse has adopted
the Equator Principles.
The bank is active in this sector but has no investment policy for this sector;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or initiative relevant for this sector; or has developed its own policy, but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy, that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking;or this includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes the essential elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or
initiative relevant; or has developed its own policy,
but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy,
that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the
essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or this
includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the essential elements in its lending and
investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes
both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment
banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements
in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its
lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or
initiative relevant; or has developed its own policy,
but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy,
that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the
essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or this
includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the essential elements in its lending and
investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes
both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment
banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements
in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its
lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
Credit Suisse's Climate Change Position is only focused
on operational emissions. For financed emissions the statement refers to the
Carbon Disclosure Project. Therefore, no additional points are granted for this
policy.
For more and detailed information about this issue please have a look at the corruption sector page
scoring method
The bank has no investment policy for this issue;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or
initiative relevant; or has developed its own policy,
but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy,
that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the
essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or this
includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the essential elements in its lending and
investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes
both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment
banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements
in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its
lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
Although the bank mentions the
identification and monitoring of Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) specifically,
its anti-money laundering regulations on the website refer to the Wolfsberg
Principles the bank has signed up to.
For more and detailed information about this issue please have a look at the close the gap issue page on human rights. This page also informs about the difference between essential and additional elements.
scoring method
The bank has no investment policy for this issue;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or
initiative relevant; or has developed its own policy,
but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy,
that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the
essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or this
includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the essential elements in its lending and
investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes
both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment
banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements
in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its
lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
On its website Credit Suisse adheres
to the UN Declaration of Human Rights and "recognizes its responsibility to
respect human rights within its sphere of influence."The bank specifies these
relationships as follows: "As regards corporate clients, which may conduct
business activities that potentially impact human rights, the bank-wide
Reputational Risk Review Process needs to be applied." This policy does not
include the essential elements for Human Rights, hence they will not be
accredited more points it already received for signing the UN Global Compact.
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or
initiative relevant; or has developed its own policy,
but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy,
that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the
essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or this
includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the essential elements in its lending and
investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes
both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment
banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements
in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its
lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
For more and detailed information about this issue please have a look at the labour issue page
scoring method
The bank has no investment policy for this issue;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or
initiative relevant; or has developed its own policy,
but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy,
that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the
essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or this
includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the essential elements in its lending and
investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes
both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment
banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements
in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its
lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or
initiative relevant; or has developed its own policy,
but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy,
that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the
essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or this
includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the essential elements in its lending and
investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes
both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment
banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements
in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its
lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
For more and detailed information about this issue, please have a look at the taxation issue page
scoring method
The bank has no investment policy for this issue;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or
initiative relevant; or has developed its own policy,
but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy,
that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the
essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or this
includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the essential elements in its lending and
investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes
both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment
banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements
in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its
lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
For more and detailed information about this issue, please have a look at the toxics issue page
scoring method
The bank has no investment policy for this issue;
The bank: has only adopted or signed onto a voluntary standard or
initiative relevant; or has developed its own policy,
but it is vaguely worded without clear commitments;
The bank has developed its own policy,
that includes at least half of the essential elements;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the
essential elements in its lending and investment banking; or this
includes the essential elements in its asset management
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes the essential elements in its lending and
investment banking as well as its asset management; or this includes
both the essential and additional elements in its lending and investment
banking; or this includes both the essential and additional elements
in its asset management;
The bank has developed its own policy
and this includes both the essential and additional elements in its
lending and investment banking as well as its asset management.
For more and detailed information about this issue please have a look at the close the gap page on accountability. This page also informs about the difference between essential and additional elements.
scoring method
The bank has no procedures regarding transparency and
accountability;
The bank has an internal and/or external audit system in
place to audit its Environmental and
Social Risk Management System and its sector and issue investment policies,
but does not publish the results of these audits; or performs
stakeholder engagement but not in accordance with AA1000
The bank's procedures include half of the essential
elements;
The bank's procedures include all of the essential
elements;
The bank's procedures include the essential elements and include the additional elements in its lending and investment banking; or include the additional elements in its
asset management
The bank's procedures include both the essential and
additional elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset
management.
additional information
This score is based on the following procedures within the banks: Credit Suisse has produced a non verified CSR report using GRI. No policies disclosed. No deal transparency.
For more and detailed information about this issue please have a look at the close the gap page on transparency. This page also informs about the difference between essential and additional elements.
scoring method
The bank has no procedures regarding transparency;
The bank has signed onto the Global Reporting Initiative
(GRI), but does not use its framework for reporting;
The bank's procedures include half of the essential
elements;
The bank's procedures include all of the essential
elements;
The bank's procedures include the essential elements and:
include the additional elements in its
lending and investment banking; or
include the additional elements in its
asset management;
The bank's procedures include both the essential and
additional elements in its lending and investment banking as well as its asset
management.
print
Credit Suisse employs a thorough internal process to examine particular transactions or client relationships in view of sustainability issues (environmental, social, human rights) and potential reputational risks. The process is based on our commitments to the UNEP FI, the UN Global Compact and the Equator Principles and ensures that relevant issues, such as those mentioned in the BankTrack report, are dealt with appropriately. Our ratings by sustainability rating agencies and index providers confirm that this is a suitable approach.