Complying with EU regulations
True to the European market trend, we incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in investment-related decision-making. We have adopted Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on sustainability‐related disclosures in the financial services sector (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation – SFDR) and we issue a Sustainable Finance Statement.In 2021 we expanded the products of SFDR articles 8 and 9 in the lists of advisory products and discretionary management portfolios. At the same time, we developed relevant training material and seminars for our people.
Offering investment products with an environmental and social impact
In 2021 we introduced impact investing for the 1st time ever and offered investment products with a social impact to Private Banking clients.
We created an environmental bonus system that is linked to structured notes and contributes to the reforestation of Arona forest. For every €1,000 of nominal participation in Alpha Bank sustainable investment products, Reforest’Action and the Forest Research Institute in Thessaloniki plant 1 tree in Arona forest, Katerini, Greece, with a total area exceeding 1,000 hectares.
We anticipate enriching our offering of structured notes through the impact investment initiative with the introduction of a social bond category.
This way we further raise awareness among clients about environmental issues, through the direct and measurable environmental impact of their investment.
Providing training and raising awareness
We remain committed to providing training and raising awareness among our employees and staff about sustainable investments.
In 2021 we organised a series of training events in partnership with foreign companies: BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, Pimco, Franklin Templeton, Schroders and Blackrock. A total of 842 Alpha Bank employees and clients attended our interactive digital presentations.
In 2022 we hosted an event on “Women and Investments” for 90 Private Banking clients, with the aim of promoting values of gender equality and inclusion.
Furthermore, the Market Research team integrated additional reports about sustainable investments in the Navigator quarterly update, while the Investment Product Assessment team significantly increased the share of products meeting sustainable investment criteria in the vetted lists of the Private Banking advisory department.
Incorporating ESG in mutual fund management
Alpha Asset Management MFMC delivers on its commitment to integrate ESG parameters in investment analysis, decision-making and active ownership practices. In this context, it:
- Complies with the SFDR regulation.
- Has co-signed the UN initiative on the Principles for Responsible Investment – PRI since 2018.
- Has developed an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Policy.
- Offers mutual funds with targeted ESG investment strategy that promote environmental and/or social characteristics.
In the 2021 PRI Assessment report, Alpha Asset Management was awarded with a score of 3 stars for its Investment and Stewardship Policy, in line with the median for its global peers. The scale ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating a responsible investment behaviour at the lower end of what is expected from signatories. The score demonstrates the commitment of Alpha Asset Management to integrate ESG criteria across its investment processes.
Find out more about the responsible ESG approach adopted by Alpha Asset Management.
