UniCredit: Best Social Impact Bank Europe 2020

UniCredit, a leading pan-European commercial bank is known by its slogan of “banking that matters”. This motto applies equally well to the needs and aspirations of accountholders as it does to UniCredit’s corporate strategy for sustainability, inclusion, and diversity.

The bank is not shy to tap into the less glamorous parts of the retail market through its Social Impact Banking programme in order to offer its services and expertise to small businesses, start-ups, and others often overlooked. UniCredit makes no qualms about its ambition to safeguard and promote the interests of all stakeholders – and that includes the wider society of which it is part.

In light of the uncertainties introduced by the pandemic, UniCredit has redoubled its efforts to engage with stakeholders and map their concerns and needs so that the bank may adjust its policies and product suite to match demand.

UniCredit is committed to provide a diverse and inclusive workplace for its employees and invests considerable effort into advanced training and skill development programmes. The bank also maintains a number of large-scale educational outreach initiatives to share its expertise to the benefit of different social groups across its communities including those most vulnerable.

The history of the bank dates back to 1870, when Banca di Genova – later renamed Credito Italiano – opened for business. UniCredit Group was first formed with the merger of a number of major Italian banks and has since expanded its footprint to include a presence across 13 core markets in Europe. It is also the parent company of the German HypoVereinsbank.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that UniCredit was an early adopter of strong and meaningful corporate social responsibility policies. The bank has established a reputation that lives up to its corporate slogan. The judges wholeheartedly agree that a broad perspective matters a great deal indeed and feel no hesitation in naming UniCredit winner of the 2020 Best Social Impact Bank Europe Award.