Case study: How IKB promotes a culture of responsible banking among its employees
The business model of IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG is focused on serving the upper segment of the German mid-cap sector. This includes companies with annual revenues exceeding €100 million, which typically possess a strong equity base, robust liquidity positions, and notably low default rates. As of December 31, 2024, IKB employed approximately 592 full-time staff. The bank adopts an integrated approach that combines regional sales, sector expertise, and product groups to ensure clients receive tailored, solution-oriented support. Personal assistance is provided locally through a sales network operating in six different regions. IKB’s client services primarily revolve around lending, credit advisory, structuring advisory, and capital market products. IKB is a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and is, accordingly, promoting a culture of responsible banking among its employees. Tweet This!
This case study is based on the 2024 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template by IKB prepared in relation to its implementation of the PRB, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.
Which Principles for Responsible Banking have been addressed?
The Principles for Responsible Banking addressed in this case are:
- Principle 5: Governance & Culture
- Principle 4: Stakeholders
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- How IKB proceeded with stakeholder identification and consultation, and
- How IKB promotes a culture of responsible banking among its employees
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Stakeholder identification and consultation
Please describe which stakeholders (or groups/ types of stakeholders) you have identified, consulted, engaged, collaborated or partnered with for the purpose of implementing the Principles and improving your bank’s impacts. This should include a high-level overview of how your bank has identified relevant stakeholders, what issues were addressed/results achieved and how they fed into the action planning process.
IKB’s approach to sustainability communication centres on regular, active, and continuous engagement with its stakeholders. The bank’s main stakeholders comprise customers, creditors, owners, employees, supervisory authorities, the general public, rating agencies, and media representatives. It keeps in close contact with institutional bond investors via its Investor Relations team, through one-on-one meetings and investor calls. During the reporting period, the bank worked closely with internal stakeholders to prepare for the CSRD.
How does IKB promote a culture of responsible banking among its employees?
In its 2024 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template IKB reports that it took the following actions to promote a culture of responsible banking among its employees: [
IKB is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, guided by commitments such as signing the Diversity Charter, complying with German laws like the General Equal Treatment Act, and adhering to its own Code of Conduct. The bank communicates its environmental and sustainability initiatives to employees through various channels, including the intranet and the ESG podcast.
Furthermore, specialists in sustainable finance receive targeted training, and introductory courses on a broad range of ESG topics are offered as needed. Members of the Management Board and Supervisory Board also receive both internal and external ESG training.
IKB’s journey toward sustainability is an ongoing, comprehensive process that continuously evolves to meet new challenges. Sustainable human resources management plays a vital role in fostering a cultural shift that the bank actively supports. This cultural change is crucial for the bank’s long-term success and survival, making the sustainable orientation of human resources work a key strategic priority. The bank’s human resources development strategy is aligned with its corporate strategy, with the aim that employees feel connected to IKB, its values, and its strategic direction.
UN Principles for Responsible Banking: Accelerating a positive global transition for people and the planet
With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through these Principles, the banking community takes action to align core strategies, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.
FBRH Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Assurance:
First class PRB assurance services: The result of solid, hands-on ESG/ Sustainability experience
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- FBRH is a GRI Certified Training Partner (Global), ISEP Training Centre and a member of CPD.
- FBRH builds trust. Over 200 reviews from top professionals from around the world demonstrate our ability to build strong, trusting business relationships.
- FBRH possesses a unique skill set that combines ESG/sustainability certified training, experience in advisory services and report preparation, and ESG/sustainability report assurance.
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The combination of all the above empowers FBRH to provide first class Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) assurance services.
References:
This case study is based on published information by IKB, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:
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