WE ADOPT THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
WE INVEST IN A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
At Cepal, we are committed to operating with transparency, respect and social responsibility, promoting practices that combine economic sustainability with social well-being.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Our Approach
At Cepal, we recognise the importance of our business in building a healthy economy while contributing to the country’s development. Our commitment to sustainability is an integral part of our corporate strategy, aiming to create value for our clients, borrowers, society and the Greek economy.
Guided by the principles of Environmental Responsibility, Social Responsibility and Good Governance, we adopt responsible practices in every single aspect of our operations, always in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
We adopt a responsible attitude towards the Environment and Society, incorporating the best practices of Corporate Governance
Our commitment to sustainable development and social well-being is inextricably linked to strengthening our corporate governance rules, ensuring transparent decision-making. Following this philosophy, we seek to act as responsible corporate citizens, incorporating into our strategy policies that focus on reducing our environmental footprint, supporting our society and our people, and promoting transparency and good governance.
Our goals
As a company, we have set specific goals that guide our actions in each pillar, in line with the framework set by the UN for sustainable development (Agenda 2030):
We strive for transparency, accountability and ethical conduct, ensuring fair and sustainable processes in our business activities.
We support the health and well-being of the community by promoting access to quality education, gender equality and combating poverty and inequality. At the same time, we invest in our people, ensuring a healthy and supportive work environment, respecting the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI), and focusing on professional development and well-being.
We focus on promoting sustainable energy and the efficient use of resources, helping to reduce pollution and protect ecosystems.
At Cepal, we recognise that the drive for sustainable development is a dynamically evolving process. We aim to adapt our strategies to the needs of society, ensuring their effectiveness.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Corporate Governance
At Cepal, we believe that a transparent and organised governance model is fundamental to our operations. Good governance incorporates integrity, transparency and accountability into our day-to-day practice – that’s why we maintain high standards by acting ethically and responsibly.
A stance that relates to the way we do business, enhancing the trust of our customers and borrowers, our partners, our people, and society – while fostering a culture of responsibility.
We strengthen accountability, ensure business operations. Our commitment to good governance is reflected through a set of policies that guide our practices – policies designed to prioritise enhancing accountability and regulatory compliance at all levels of our operations, promoting integrity and ethical behaviour in every aspect of our business.
Our operating framework is focused on two main pillars:
Integrity and Credibility
In our continuous effort to operate on the principles of integrity and reliability, we act responsibly by focusing on specific areas:
Complaints management
We investigate and manage complaints in an objective and transparent manner to ensure that all the information we have about each individual debtor is taken into account for proper handling. A specially trained team within the Borrower Relationship Management Unit handles each complaint centrally, always in compliance with the relevant legal and regulatory provisions.
Business ethics
Responsibly and following the practices of effective corporate governance, we have developed and implemented a comprehensive Risk Management Framework, which outlines the key principles governing compliance risk management. Through this, we ensure that our processes are aligned with the requirements of the legal and regulatory framework.
Code of Conduct
Recognising the importance of mutual trust in our relationships with clients, debtors and the community, we have adopted a strict Code of Conduct that defines the principles and policies we incorporate into our operations. Aimed at deterring and preventing phenomena such as corruption, bribery and money laundering , our Code of Conduct ensures that we operate in accordance with best practices, and aligns with our commitment to responsible and ethical business conduct.
Policies and Procedures
We maintain zero tolerance for actions that violate our corporate governance model. To this end, we have established a set of policies and procedures relating to human rights, integrity, transparency, compliance and business ethics. This ensures the creation of an effective decision-making mechanism and reinforces our commitment to the fight against corruption, covering all critical aspects of our operations.
Protection against External Risks & Ensuring Operational Functionality
Our focus on sustainable development over time is why we seek to ensure business continuity in the event of a crisis through sector-specific policies:
Fighting money laundering
We ensure strict compliance with anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing laws in order to protect the company from and prevent related incidents. In this regard, we provide continuous training to our employees to better understand the importance of reducing financial crimes, and detecting/preventing bribery and corruption.
IT and Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity and data protection are an integral part of our services and operations, with the primary objective of ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of our customers and borrowers. In order to prevent cyber-attacks and protect data, we systematically implement procedures to securely manage data incidents and breaches. In addition, we systematically train new and existing employees through data protection and cybersecurity programs.
As technologies develop rapidly, we invest in new systems to upgrade our services and processes, raising customer service standards and optimising our internal operations. Through technologically advanced systems focused on personalised service for our debtors, we are systematically improving their experience, enhancing transparency in our relationship with them. At the same time, we optimize our overall operations by introducing new tools and processes that streamline our internal operations. These initiatives are an integral part of our digital transformation, helping to ensure greater efficiency and creating long-term value for all.
Continuity of Operations
In order to ensure a stable working environment, and to enhance trust with employees and all stakeholders, we have developed a Business Continuity Plan. This plan ensures uninterrupted operations and rapid recovery of our business in unforeseen circumstances. It also identifies roles and responsibilities to limit disruption of critical services and provides for physical recovery areas for employees in the event of a major incident.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Society
At Cepal, we see our role in society as crucial to promoting positive change and enhancing the well-being of our employees and the community. For this reason, we systematically seek to create positive conditions for our people, both as individuals and as a team, ensuring higher levels of well-being in all areas. In addition, we undertake initiatives that strengthen society, focusing strategically on actions related to culture, sports and education.
Our People
We promote prosperity, ensure equal opportunities for all
At Cepal, our people are our most valuable asset. We work systematically to create an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and enhances fairness, adopting policies that aim to bridge social issues and enhance social mobility.
In this context, we have adopted an integrated approach, focusing on aspects such as career, economic security, physical and mental health, emotional well-being. With the belief that the personal and professional development of our people also stems from participation in social actions, we promote a culture of cooperation and social responsibility through voluntary initiatives.
Our commitment to supporting our people is reflected in a number of strategic initiatives focused on specific areas:
We invest in flexible working conditions that facilitate work-life balance. We increase the number of employees to strengthen our team dynamics, thus providing more opportunities for growth. Through strategies focused on human capital development, we ensure that employees can develop and perform to their full potential.
We focus on creating an inclusive workplace, free of age or other discrimination. We place particular emphasis on proportional representation of both genders, ensuring that women also make up a significant proportion of our team.
We ensure permanent employment for all our employees, creating a safe and stable working environment that enhances their well-being and promotes a climate of trust.
We systematically invest in the training and development of our people, offering opportunities that promote their professional development and enhance their skills, ensuring they remain competitive and up to date with developments in their field.
We prioritise the health and safety of our employees by implementing policies and procedures that ensure appropriate working conditions.
We give priority to promoting the mental and physical health of our employees. Through targeted actions, we encourage their active participation in activities that promote well-being, creating a supportive and positive work environment.
We promote equality of pay and opportunities for advancement, enhancing social mobility, ensuring a fair and equitable working environment for all.
Empowering our people
Creating a positive impact on society.
At Cepal, we focus on connecting with society, recognising the value of our people in our success. Through strategic initiatives, we create an environment that encourages collaboration, inclusion, social responsibility and talent development.
The 3+1 pillars of our strategy, “The Power of We”, “The Power of Good”, “The Power of Talent” and “The Power of All”, work in a complementary way, and are made up of actions that promote a working environment that respects diversity and enhances our positive footprint in society through the active participation of our people.
Aiming to create an environment of cooperation and teamwork, “The Power of We” pillar includes actions that promote team dynamics in a safe working environment.
Recognising our responsibility to society, we focus on initiatives that seek to have a positive social impact. Through the Power of Good pillar and the active participation of our people, we carry out actions that strategically focus on culture, sports and education – areas that enhance overall social development, promoting well-being in the community.
We believe deeply in the value of talent, which is why we focus on attracting and nurturing it. Through The Power of Talent pillar, we implement training programs and initiatives that empower our employees by enhancing their skills and promoting opportunities for further professional development.
Inclusion is a cornerstone of our strategy, which is why we invest in shaping a culture that recognises and values the uniqueness of every person. Through The Power of All pillar, we carry out actions that enhance diversity and equality, creating an environment that promotes equal participation for all.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Environment
At Cepal, we approach the environment with respect, recognising the impact our actions have on it. For this reason, we give priority to reducing our carbon footprint by implementing measures aimed at the responsible management of our resources.
We aim to reduce electricity consumption in our facilities. We implement strategies to enhance energy efficiency by encouraging our employees to adopt energy-saving practices.
We record our company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in specific direct and indirect emissions categories to monitor progress towards our environmental goals. To ensure reliable and meaningful data, all calculations are performed in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2018.
We manage water responsibly, improving the energy efficiency of our facilities, and educating our staff on how they can contribute daily to energy conservation efforts. At the same time, we are progressively equipping our facilities with devices that reduce excessive water consumption, and are moving forward with new initiatives to manage our resources sustainably.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
ESG Reports
At Cepal, ESG is a strategic priority that guides our actions and growth. For this reason, we systematically record our progress against specific targets, starting in 2022. Through our ESG reports, we provide transparency on our performance, the initiatives we are undertaking and our commitment to a sustainable future.
These reports are a source of information on our continuous development and the progress we are making over time.
