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Social responsibility of the Belgian financial sector. 2012 Report
tableofcontents
1.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
2
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Editorial
4
> Introduction to the Belgian financial sector
6
> Introduction to Febelfin
8
> Approach
10
> What do we mean by corporate social responsibility and socially
responsible banking?
16
2.
PROSPERITY > Impact on the economy
18
>
Stable financial sector
22
What is the role of the financial sector in the economy?
22
How does the Belgian financial sector work towards stability for the future? 24
The bank balance sheet
28
>
Lending
31
How does the financial sector support the economy and society?
31
Will it still be possible to provide funding for sound projects upon
reasonable conditions?
34
How does the financial sector stimulate Belgian exports?
38
3.
GOOD GOVERNANCE > Impact of policy
40
>
Financial stability
44
How is good governance translated with regard to the financial sector?
44
Is the sector giving enough back in exchange of the support it
has received?
47
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Risk management
50
What will be the impact of the new rules on the sector?
50
Are the risks taken by banks socially responsible?
54
How do the banks identify and communicate their risks?
56
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Ethical enterprise
58
Is the sector involved in Corporate Social Responsibility?
58
Are banks selective in what and whom they fund?
61
Does the banking sector pay excessive bonuses?
63
Do the banks’ sales strategies sufficiently take the customer into
consideration?
65
How does the sector make its ethical codes work?
68
What do banks do to fight fraud?
70
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Transparency
74
Are bank products sufficiently transparent?
74
4.
PEOPLE > Social Impact
78
>
Sustainable HR policy
82
Are financial institutions good companies to work for?
82
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Support to the community
86
How does the financial sector contribute to social projects?
86
How does the financial sector ensure that nobody is excluded financially? 89
5.
PRODUCTS > Impact via others
92
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Sustainable products
96
How does the sector provide high-quality sustainable products?
96
6.
LIFEWORLD > Impact on the environment
102
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Ecological footprint
106
How green is the financial sector?
106