Our groupwide policies and guidelines

As part of the KBC Group, we follow a unified framework of policies and guidelines that promote sustainable, ethical, and responsible business practices. These principles help us minimize negative impacts on society, protect human rights, and build trust among all our stakeholders.

KBC Group policies form the foundation of our daily decision-making and interactions, ensuring that our activities align with the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Our responsible business principles
Sustainable development policies
Policies towards stakeholders

Our responsible business principles

At ČSOB, we are committed to conducting our business responsibly and ethically. Building and maintaining the trust of all our stakeholders is crucial to us as it forms the basis of our existence and our "social license to operate". These principles are based on a common framework shared across the Group and guide our day-to-day decisions and the way we act.

Anti corruption and Bribery policy

The Anti-Corruption and Bribery Policy provides clarity about KBC’s zero tolerance for all forms of corruption for all employees and third parties with whom KBC has a contractual relationship and sets out the criteria and principles for avoiding conflicts of interest.

Information Security Strategy

KBC Group's Information Security Strategy focuses on protecting sensitive information and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. By implementing robust security controls based on industry standards and best practices, KBC aims to proactively address security risks, safeguard customer data, and maintain a competitive edge. The strategy emphasizes continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving threats, ensuring the highest level of security for its operations.

Tax Strategy

The KBC Tax Strategy aims to ensure that we act as responsible taxpayers based on professionally executed tax compliance and legitimate tax planning driven by valid business purposes. Consequently, our employees are not allowed to provide any kind of advice or assistance to clients in terms of tax avoidance or the violation of regulations.

Sustainable development policies

We have policies for all our business activities. These policies help us to limit activities that have a harmful impact on the environment, human rights and society as a whole.

Sustainability Policy Framework

The KBC Group Sustainability Policy Framework gives a comprehensive overview of our sustainability policies for our business operations and how they are applied across our various activities. It also includes more information on the due diligence process and remedial actions in place.

Human rights commitment

KBC is committed to respecting human rights. Our aim is to reduce any potentially negative impact on society through our own operations and in our value chain. To this end, we align to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct.

Fundamental exclusions

Some counterparties are totally or partially excluded from doing business with KBC. They are listed on the KBC Blacklist, the KBC List of human rights offenders (internal) or the KBC List of most controversial regimes (internal).

Additional exclusions and restrictions in core business activities
  • Environmental Policy

    The KBC Environmental Policy sets out a series of general guidelines on our commitment to the environment. These are further translated into specific policies that are listed below.

  • Energy Policy

    Our Energy Policy aims to exclude or restrict the use of fossil energy and to support the development of renewable energy. It prohibits financing, insurance, and advisory services for direct thermal coal-related projects and imposes strict conditions on any transactions with companies still involved in thermal coal. Additionally, it excludes financing, insurance, or advisory services related to the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas fields, as well as any new oil or gas fields.

  • Investment Policy

    The KBC Investment Policy determines strict ethical restrictions with regard to investments. We exclude investments in companies listed on the KBC Blacklist, on the KBC Human Rights Offenders List and investments in governments or other public authorities within a country listed on the KBC Controversial Regimes List. This also applies to investments in companies that are in any way involved in the extraction of thermal coal and/or power generation companies using thermal coal. Investments in companies involved in tobacco are also excluded.

  • Exclusion Policy for Responsible Investing Funds

    The KBC Exclusion Policy for Responsible Investing Funds includes all negative screening criteria (exclusion criteria) all issuers must be screened on and comply with to be included in the responsible investing universes.

  • Biodiversity Policy

    The KBC Biodiversity Policy includes our commitment to reduce our direct and indirect impact on biodiversity and to increasing its contribution to the sustainable use and management of biodiversity. This policy covers producers and traders of forest commodities, activities in or near protected areas, activities involving endangered or invasive species and cattle farming and fisheries.

  • Mining Policy

    The KBC Mining Policy includes restrictions regarding mining activities in order to mitigate the associated environmental risks such as greenhouse gas emissions, land-use change and water and air pollution. This policy directly addresses the human rights impacts of mining activities as well as the social consequences of the impacts of mining on the environment.

  • Defence Policy

    KBC’s Defence Policy outlines strict conditions under which KBC is willing to finance, insure, or provide advisory services to companies involved in arms-related activities. It includes a zero tolerance for companies that are involved in controversial weapons and imposes strict conditions on business with companies in arms-related activities.

  • Animal Welfare Statement

    The KBC Animal Welfare Statement includes our commitment to ensuring clients comply with national and international legislation and best practices regarding animal welfare.

Policies towards stakeholders

At ČSOB, we strive to promote a culture of integrity, accountability and sustainability. Our guidelines and policies are carefully designed to promote ethical and responsible business practices while reflecting the unique needs and expectations of our stakeholders. As a result, we have developed specific guidelines and policies aimed at meeting the requirements of each stakeholder group.

Our own workforce
  • Code of Conduct for ČSOB Group employees

    Our Code of Ethics is a fundamental pillar of how we act and make decisions. It sets clear rules for our daily work, customer relationships, and our role in society. It helps us act fairly, transparently, and responsibly, and safeguards the trust on which our business is built.

  • Whistleblower Protection Policy and Procedure

    Whistleblower Protection Policy and Procedure outlines the principles for reporting concerns related to immoral, unethical or illegal activities. It empowers employees and other stakeholders to raise concerns safely, ensuring protection against retaliation. We provide various channels for reporting. Reports, including anonymous ones, are investigated confidentially and closely monitored.

  • Whistleblowing – Case notification form
  • Diversity and Inclusion Policy

    The Diversity and Inclusion Policy aims at the elimination of discrimination and promoting equal opportunities, prohibiting all forms of discrimination. We enforce zero tolerance for flagrant disrespectful behavior towards a colleague and encourage reporting of wrongdoing for independent investigation. We strive to foster a culture of respect and responsible behavior, with a commitment from all managers to uphold these principles.

  • Remuneration Policy for the Board and Executive Committee

    KBC’s Remuneration Policy for the Board and the Executive Committee includes a remuneration framework that complies with European and national legislation while aligning with KBC’s business and sustainability strategy.

  • Remuneration Policy for all staff

    The Remuneration Policy for all staff at KBC considers market practices, competitiveness, risks, long-term objectives, and continuously changing regulations. The Remuneration Policy provides guidelines and procedures for remuneration, emphasising sustainability, risk management, and alignment with long-term interests. It ensures gender-neutral remuneration schemes to guarantee equal pay for equal work of equal value.

  • Policy on Human Rights

    KBC is committed to respecting human rights. Our aim is to reduce any potentially negative impact on society through our own operations and in our value chain. To this end, we follow the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Our customers and end-users
  • Code of Conduct for ČSOB Group employees

    Our Code of Ethics is a fundamental pillar of how we act and make decisions. It sets clear rules for our daily work, customer relationships, and our role in society. It helps us act fairly, transparently, and responsibly, and safeguards the trust on which our business is built.

  • Information Security Strategy

    KBC Group's Information Security Strategy focuses on protecting sensitive information and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. By implementing robust security controls based on industry standards and best practices, KBC aims to proactively address security risks, safeguard customer data, and maintain a competitive edge. The strategy emphasizes continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving threats, ensuring the highest level of security for its operations.

  • Whistleblower Protection Policy and Procedure

    KBC's Whistleblower Protection Policy and Procedure outlines the principles for reporting concerns related to immoral, unethical or illegal activities. It empowers employees and other stakeholders to raise concerns safely, ensuring protection against retaliation. We provide various channels for reporting. Reports, including anonymous ones, are investigated confidentially and closely monitored.

  • Whistleblowing – Case notification form
  • Policy on Human Rights

    KBC is committed to respecting human rights. Our aim is to reduce any potentially negative impact on society through our own operations and in our value chain. To this end, we follow the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Our suppliers
  • Sustainability Code of Conduct for Suppliers

    The KBC Sustainability Code of Conduct for Suppliers requires suppliers to follow social, ethical, and environmental principles. KBC may conduct evaluations to ensure compliance using external and internal databases. Procurement, along with relevant departments like Group Corporate Sustainability, reviews signals such as lawsuits and adverse media coverage related to suppliers. If violations are found that cannot be resolved promptly, KBC may terminate contracts with the supplier.

Our shareholders
  • Investor Relations Policy

    KBC’s Investor Relations Policy describes the principles and practices that KBC Group applies in order to communicate with integrity towards its shareholders and debt holders and as a responsible party on the capital markets.

Public authorities
  • Corporate Public Affairs Policy

    The KBC Group Corporate Public Affairs Policy ensures that we remain impartial by prohibiting any political involvement, including financial or other contributions to political parties, government organisations, politicians, or campaign events. The policy emphasises transparency and integrity in all public affairs activities, aligning with KBC's commitment to ethical conduct and responsible business practices.

Society
  • Community Involvement Policy

    The KBC Group Community Involvement Policy sets out how we want to contribute to a positive impact on society through community involvement activities.