Expert RA rating agency has published its ESG transparency ranking of Russian companies. Center-Invest Bank ranked third among Russian lending institutions.

The «ESG Transparency: Core Value» ranking is based on the analysis of sustainable development reports by Russian companies. The ESG transparency assessment methodology includes four key units: impact on the environment, on the society, quality of management, and standards of non-financial reporting.

Center-Invest Bank has been operating on the basis of sustainable banking model for more than 30 years, it is among leaders in implementation of ESG banking, and is disclosing non-financial corporate reports since 2012.

The bank is steadily introducing the initiatives on implementation of new sustainable practices: issue of Russia’s first green bonds, building an ESG banking digital model, creating the world’s first ESG balance sheet, publishing and disclosing ESG reports and ESG rating model for SME clients, carbon footprint accounting for the mortgage and agribusiness portfolios.

The bank develops and provides ESG-oriented products and services for population and small business entities, and informs its clients and partners of its ESG performance results: as of 01 October 2023, out of each ₽100 of attracted deposits ₽66.6 are spent on financing of Sustainable Development Goals, and ₽66.31 are spent on financing of National Projects.

The bank renders methodological support to financial community in implementing the best corporate and social responsibility practices. In 2023, the Bank of Russia issued recommendations on development of methodology and assignment of ESG ratings. A year earlier, the Presidium of the Russian Banks Association approved Practical Recommendations of the Banking Community on Implementation of ESG Banking in Russia. The initiator of the document was Vasily Vysokov, head of the ESG Banking Project Group, Chairman of the Center-Invest Bank Board of Directors, Professor, Doctor of Economics. V. V. Vysokov is the author of Russia’s first ESG-Banking: Made in Russia textbook.

In 2023, based on its experience, the Bank published a book titled A Regional Bank in the Sovereign Economy analyzing the evolution of sustainable development concept and its efficient use in Russia.