Milestones

• In 2020, we purchased 55,000 Verified Carbon Units generated from clean energy sources and became a Carbon Negative company by offsetting more than all of our greenhouse gas emissions calculated for 2019, thus taking a pioneering step in this regard.
• In 2020, we published our first integrated annual report in line with the International Integrated Reporting Framework () guidelines. With this report, we have taken our place in the world among a few public banks as well as being one of the first state banks in Turkey.
• In 2020, to demonstrate our approach to gender equality, on the first year of our reporting, we were selected for the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index as one of the 2 banks from Turkey.
• In 2019, we established the Ethics Commission in order to increase ethical awareness.
• In 2019, we initiated the work on the establishment of an environmental and social risk management system in the loan allocation processes within the scope of the fund we provide from the French Development Agency (AFD).
• In 2019, our Sustainability Report 2018 was nominated with 4Silver Award in Galaxy Awards by Mercomm.
• In 2019, we provided financial support of over TL 1.3 billion to 37 renewable energy projects.
• In 2019, we completed systematic records of all our branches within the scope of Zero Waste.
• In 2019, to maximize the service quality and customer experience through our Call Center, we accomplished to receive ISO 18295-1 Customer Contact Centers Standard Certificate.
• In 2019, as a first step of digital transformation, we have started to implement the new concept in our pilot branch to simplify in-branch transaction processes.
• In 2019, we established “VakıfBank Farmers Academy” to increase the technical knowledge of farmers, reduce costs in agricultural production, increase productivity and contribute to sustainability in agriculture.
• In 2019, we launched its R&D Centre to integrate digital transformation into all our processes in order to respond to the changing needs of our customers, to increase transaction speeds and to ensure information security.
• In 2019, to further strengthen our sustainable banking identity on global platforms, we voluntarily participated in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index survey.
• In 2019, to align our strategy with UN Sustainable Development Goals, we became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).
• In 2019, we became the first public institution in Turkey to sign the UN Women's Empowerment Principles (UN WEPs).
• In 2019, we became the first state-owned bank in Turkey to commit carbon emission reduction to Science Based Targets Initiative.
• In 2018, we have been the first bank in Turkey by obtaining OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certificate to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment beyond the legal requirements.
• In 2017, we added the titles of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Sustainability to our Lending Policy.
• In 2017, we extended the first Energy Service Company (ESCO) fund under the World Bank SME Energy Efficiency Loan Program.
• Initiated in 2017, we have gradually installed ISO 14001 Environmental Management System in our locations. Currently, the number of locations which are certified stands at 522+1 (Head Office).
• In 2017, within the scope of our customer and quality-oriented growth strategy, we completed the installation of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System.
• Since 2017, we have been listed on the FTSE4Good Emerging Markets Index, thus moving our sustainable banking identity to the international platforms.
• In 2016, we received Turkey Sustainable Energy Financing Program (TurSEFF) Leading Bank in Energy Financing award.
• In 2016, we published our first sustainability report.
• Since 2015, we have been reporting our climate change strategy, risks and performance to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). In 2019, we kept our performance score at B level in CDP and became one of the participant banks from Turkey who obtained the highest grade.
• In 2014, we were selected to the BIST Sustainability Index as the only public bank and since then, we have maintained our strong position in this index.