All Articles About Financial Services

Case Study: ANZ: Responsible Growth in the Financial Services Industry

In an era when the bank down the street is often headquartered in another country, the question of a company’s social license to operate has taken on new meaning. In this context, Australia-based ANZ asked BSR to apply its expertise in stakeholder relations in Asia as a key enabler of its strategy for expanding into new markets in the region. The company, which has a strong history of corporate responsibility at home, sought input on how to develop a new, groupwide corporate responsibility strategy to align with its business growth strategy, focusing on new target markets in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Learn more →

Posted: June 1, 2010 Topics: Financial Services, Stakeholder Relations

BSR Insight Article: Capitalizing on ESG Integration

Mainstream investors are increasingly integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues into their decision-making processes. According to a recent BSR report, this shift is exemplified by increased participation in responsible investing, new ESG products from mainstream institutions, greater access to company data (especially ESG data), and a rise in regulation of ESG reporting. Read more →

Posted: February 16, 2010 | Topics: Financial Services, Investor Perspective, Reporting & Communications

Report: Sustainable Business Models: Time for Innovation

Business leaders face not only the economic fallout of the financial crisis, they face the substantial challenge of transitioning to a low-carbon economy that is constrained by dwindling natural resources. These pressures also represent opportunities to innovate new business models—including ones that help consumers make sustainable choices. Read about four categories of innovation that, with more development and experimentation, will ensure business success in a reset world. Read more →

Posted: November 28, 2009 | Topics: Ecosystem Services, Environment, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Information & Communications Technology, Materiality, Media & Entertainment, Mining, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain, Water | Download (PDF)

BSR Insight Article: Will ESG Investing Take Off in China?

Faris Natour, Director, Human Rights

In August, the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) and China Securities Index Ltd. launched China’s first index employing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The new Social Responsibility Index, which uses homegrown ESG methodologies to select stocks, has the stated objectives of encouraging listed companies to actively manage their social and environmental risks and opportunities, providing investors with a new investment benchmark, and popularizing the socially responsible investment concept. Read more →

Posted: November 24, 2009 | Topics: Financial Services, Investor Perspective, Strategy & Integration

BSR Insight Article: Sustainable Business Models: Time for Innovation

Imagine that when you buy a pair of jeans you’re offered an agreement to sign before you pay: “I hereby promise to cold-wash, line-dry this clothing item, and own it for at least three years or ensure it is given away for someone else to enjoy.” When you sign, you are rewarded instantly with a coupon for cash back. The rebate is the estimated financial value of the carbon-dioxide emissions you save by avoiding hot-water washing, and by machine drying your jeans over the lifespan of the item. The clothing company is able to provide this discount by aggregating its consumers’ carbon credits and selling them on the open market. This model provides financial incentives for both the clothing company and the consumer to alter behavior. Read more →

Posted: November 3, 2009 | Topics: Consumer Products, Ecosystem Services, Environment, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Information & Communications Technology, Materiality, Media & Entertainment, Mining, Strategy & Integration, Water