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.

Achmea Bank engages with stakeholders through a variety of tools and methods to ensure alignment with societal goals and values. The bank’s main stakeholder groups include employees, customers, partners, and investors. Achmea Bank connects with them through:

• Customer councils and customer-centric dialogue sessions
• Measuring service quality via Net Promoter Score (NPS)
• Conducting market research
• Employee councils
• Adherence to the Banking Code and the bank’s Code of Conduct
• Active participation in Dutch Banking Association initiatives such as ‘Bankers in the Classroom’ and market research
• Seeking partnerships to advance the SDGs across various areas, including collaborations with PCAF, EEM NL Hub, and the Sector Collective ‘Duurzaam Wonen’
• Engagement dialogues with partners and investors

How did Achmea Bank identify and work on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts?

In its 2024 ESG Impact Report Achmea Bank reports that it identified and worked on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts as follows:

Achmea Bank is committed to making a positive impact on SDGs 10, 11, and 13. Achmea Bank’s initiatives include:

• Offering services such as Centraal Beheer’s ‘Duurzaam Woongemak,’ which provides solutions for making homes more sustainable, including insulation, solar panels, home batteries, heat pumps, and green roofs.
• Providing customers with the option to finance energy-saving products as part of their mortgage, without the need to present an immediate plan for spending. The Energy-Saving Budget (ESB) can be kept in deposit for up to two years.
• Extending longer quotation periods for new-build homes, aligning with the process that buyers of new-build properties must follow.
• Introducing a “green loan” component to the mortgage offering, allowing customers to co-finance sustainability measures at a lower interest rate; efforts are also underway to make it easier for existing customers to obtain additional loans for energy-saving facilities. In 2025 Achmea Bank implemented a label A+ discount for houses with an energy label of A+ or higher.
• Monitoring both the average energy efficiency score and the financed emissions of the mortgage portfolio.
• Playing a key role in Achmea’s Green Finance Framework for issuing green bonds.

 

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

• • • 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.

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 Achmea Bank, 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:

https://www.achmeabank.nl/-/media/achmeabank/documenten/duurzaamheid/ratings-rapporten-lidmaatschappen/esg-impact-report-2024-achmea-bank.pdf

Note to Achmea Bank: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

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.

Achmea Bank interacts with its stakeholders through various tools and methods to ensure alignment with society’s goals and values. Achmea Bank’s key stakeholder groups include employees, customers, partners, and investors. Achmea Bank engages with them through:

• Customer councils and customer-centric dialogue sessions
• Assessing service quality using Net Promoter Score (NPS)
• Conducting market research
• Employee councils
• Adherence to the Banking Code and Achmea Bank’s Code of Conduct
• Active participation in initiatives by the Dutch Banking Association, such as ‘Bankers in the Classroom’ and market research projects
• Building partnerships to advance Achmea Bank’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including collaborations with PCAF, EEM NL Hub, and the Sector Collective ‘Duurzaam Wonen’
• Engaging in dialogue with partners and investors

What actions were taken by Achmea Bank on its PRB targets, climate change mitigation and financial health and inclusion?

In its 2024 ESG Impact Report Achmea Bank reports that it took the following actions on its PRB targets, climate change mitigation and financial health and inclusion:

• SMART Target 1: Climate change mitigation
• SDG 11: An annual impact report detailing Achmea Bank’s carbon emissions, prepared using methodologies from the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF). This report also outlines Achmea Bank’s carbon reduction targets and transition strategies.
• SDG 13: Achieving net-zero banking operations by 2030 and reaching net-zero financed emissions for Achmea Bank’s mortgage portfolio by 2050. Systematically reducing its environmental footprint is central to Achmea Bank’s sustainability efforts, which Achmea Bank pursues through a combination of emission reductions, increased efficiency, and offsetting measures.

• SMART Target 2: Financial health and inclusion
• SDG 10: Annually, Achmea Bank’s employees deliver guest lessons to young people on managing their finances, with a goal of a minimum of 50 lessons each year.
  SDG 10: in 2025, Achmea Bank established specific targets and plans to achieve further progress with this theme. While Achmea Bank already implements several programs related to this theme, it aims to enhance its impact by more deeply integrating it into its strategy, metrics, and objectives.

 

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

• 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.

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 Achmea Bank, 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:

https://www.achmeabank.nl/-/media/achmeabank/documenten/duurzaamheid/ratings-rapporten-lidmaatschappen/esg-impact-report-2024-achmea-bank.pdf

Note to Achmea Bank: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

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.

Achmea Bank employs various tools and methods to engage with stakeholders, ensuring alignment with society’s goals. Achmea Bank’s primary stakeholder groups include employees, customers, and investors. Achmea Bank engages with them through various means, such as:

• Customer councils and customer-centric dialogue sessions.
• Assessing the quality of Achmea Bank’s services through Net Promoter Score (NPS).
• Conducting market research.
• Employee council.
• A non-discrimination policy (code of conduct).
• Active involvement in initiatives by the Dutch Banking Association, such as ‘Bankers in the classroom’ and market research.
• Actively seeking partnerships to reach Achmea Bank’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including initiatives like PCAF, EEM NL Hub, and the Sector Collective ‘Duurzaam Wonen’.
• Engagement dialogue with Achmea Bank’s partners and investors.

How did Achmea Bank work with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities?

In its 2023 ESG Impact Report Achmea Bank reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:

• The highest negative impact on climate stems from the financed carbon emissions of Achmea Bank’s mortgage portfolio. Achmea Bank has established a sustainability policy concerning housing, along with key performance indicators (KPIs) to gauge the energy efficiency of its mortgages. Additionally, Achmea Bank has programs aimed at incentivizing homeowners to enhance the sustainability of their residences.
• Achmea Bank serves 450,000 households with its products, seeking a fair, proactive, and transparent dialogue with its customers. This approach ensures systematic consideration of their interests and the incorporation of their ideas and feedback into, for example, the development of products and services.
• Achmea Bank works closely with Centraal Beheer to encourage its customers to implement sustainability-related improvements in their homes, such as energy-saving measures, assisting them in making their residences more sustainable.
• Presently, Achmea Bank is introducing incentives for customers, including an interest discount for homes with an energy efficiency rating of A or higher, as well as the option to arrange an execution-only sustainability loan.
• In collaboration with Centraal Beheer, Achmea Bank provides sustainability training to financial advisers.
• Achmea Bank facilitates customer engagement through initiatives like a customer council and customer-centric dialogue sessions.
• Achmea Bank promotes saving and investment among customers by offering attractive propositions with favourable conditions and/or interest rates.
• Achmea Bank’s Preventative & Special Asset Management team supports customers facing financial challenges. By actively supporting and guiding them through their personal and financial situations, Achmea Bank seeks to provide future-proof solutions and empowers customers to enhance their self-reliance.

 

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

• • • 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.

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 Achmea Bank, 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:

https://www.achmeabank.nl/-/media/achmea-bank/documenten/investors/ghg-report/achmea-bank-esg-impact-report-2023.pdf

Note to Achmea Bank: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.