87
Part of what is now called
Corporate Social Re-
sponsibility
used to be done by patrons (spon-
sors who provide financial support without
any benefit for themselves), the foundations
and the charity work of the financial institu-
tions. General figures of how important these
were for society do not exist.
Recently the patrons, the foundations and the
charity work of the financial institutions were
centralised within a professional CSR policy,
as we know it today, that coordinates all finan-
cial support and contributions in kind, but
also volunteer work.
Volunteer work
97%
of the sector (14 out of the 19 institutions
surveyed) allow their employees to do volun-
teer work during working hours. That figure is
much higher than the average of all companies
in Belgium (55%)
10
.
1
In addition, some institutions also actively
promote specific volunteer work. Employees
are encouraged, for example, to set up fund-
raising campaigns, the institutions double the
amount that their employees have donated to
a charity, or a solidarity prize is created to sup-
port the favourite charities of the employees.
One of the Febelfin members has also set up a
coaching plan in which Febelfin employees act
voluntarily as coaches for female entrepreneurs
fromAfrica, Asia, LatinAmerica and theMiddle
East.The idea is that they help these womenwith
advice on how to draw up their business plan.
10.
Barometre 2011 on Social Responsability, produced by
Business & Society Belgium.
One of the Febelfin members has also set up
a coaching plan in which Febelfin employees
act voluntarily as coaches for female entrepre-
neurs from Africa, Asia, Latin America and
the Middle East. The idea is that they help
these women with advice on how to draw up
their business plan.
Art and sports
Among all social projects, art projects are
most often supported by financial institutions,
for instance by supporting or facilitating an
exhibition. In addition, many financial insti-
tutions also practice sponsoring (for example
of sports matches or cultural projects).
Financial education
Financial institutions that wish to support fi-
nancial literacy do so in various manners: a
well-organised website with information that
is explained in a clear manner, study packages
for children, financial workshops for older
and young people, information sessions, etc.
The FSMA is legally qualified for financial
education. Febelfin maintains close contacts
with the financial supervisor in the devel-
opment of a portal site where the consumer
can obtain all kinds of financial information.
Meanwhile, the Federation is also developing
its consumer-oriented financial pages “My
money and I” further. Consumers will receive
an explanation there in language they can un-
derstand about payments, loans, investments
and saving products.
All surveyed institutions also work for better
accessibility of their products and services for
>
Support to the community