Chief Executive's Message
Sustainability is central to Hang Seng Bank’s strategy. Our fourth annual online corporate responsibility report is designed to provide interested parties with a better understanding of our corporate responsibility beliefs and relationships with key stakeholders as well as our social and environmental performance in 2008.
As the largest Hong Kong-incorporated bank in terms of market capitalisation (HK$194.4 billion as at the end of December 2008), our most important contribution to society is made through ensuring the long-term growth of our business, which enables us to positively influence and assist a broad range of sectors. Our emphasis on premium service, prudence and professionalism has helped us build a strong brand. In good economic times and bad, our customers have come to bank on our sound judgement, financial strength and passion to serve. In turn, we benefit from their loyalty and trust.
Our key corporate responsibility achievements for 2008 include:
- Extending ISO 14001 certification to 90 per cent of our office premises
- Winning a Silver Award in the Environment Category at the 2008 China Golden Awards for Excellence in Public Relations
- Giving over HK$23 million in donations and community sponsorships – a year-on-year increase of 6.6 per cent
- Contributing over 11,000 volunteer hours – up 14.5 per cent compared with 2007
- Saving about 10 million sheets of paper through our e-Statement initiatives
We have been a constituent stock of the FTSE4Good Global Index since 2001 and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service has recognised us as a Caring Company every year since 2003.
This will be my last online corporate responsibility report as I will retire from my position as Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng following the Bank’s annual general meeting on 6 May 2009. It has been an honour and a pleasure to serve a company that has such strong ties to its local communities. I am certain that my successor, Mrs Margaret Leung will further enhance Hang Seng’s reputation as a good corporate citizen. I wish her every success in her new role.
The global financial crisis tested us all in 2008 and this year is likely to be equally demanding. We remain committed to working with our stakeholders to promote social and environmental well-being, tackling future challenges and capitalising on opportunities for sustainable development and growth.
Raymond Or
Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive
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Corporate
