Our responsibility

The cooperative tradition is not only linked to our mission to contribute to the well-being of society, but also to specifically address global problems – such as climate change and resource shortage, poverty and demographic change, spatial development, deforestation and threats to biodiversity. At DZ PRIVATBANK, we want to reconcile economic success with environmental and social challenges. To this end, we combine long-term business goals with the aspiration to create values – for customers, cooperative banks, employees and society

DZ BANK Group: "Particularly sustainable"

ISS ESG, one of the world's leading rating agencies in the market for sustainable investments, has repeatedly awarded a "C+" rating to DZ BANK Group. It is therefore still listed in the "prime status" for particularly sustainable companies. The current rating places DZ BANK Group among the top-ranked German banks. (As at: January 2020)

Living sustainability

As part of the Sustainability market initiative initiated by DZ BANK Group, DZ PRIVATBANK has been committed to integrating sustainable aspects into the Company since 2012. We decided in 2013, together with the companies of DZ BANK Group, to recognise the ten principles of the UN Global Compact and to implement them within our own sphere of influence. Since then, we have established common guidelines for our suppliers and service providers to also screen them for social and environmental issues. A common code of conduct is the basis for the employees of DZ BANK Group. In the future, we would also like to jointly strengthen our commitment – e.g. through group-wide guidelines on sustainability in lending and own investments. In addition, the companies of DZ BANK Group have committed to being climate neutral by 2045 at the latest. Starting from the base year 2009, 65 percent of greenhouse gases are also to be saved by 2030. The Group companies have set themselves this group-wide minimum target in a joint climate strategy.

UN Global Compact

10 principles as a basis for an inclusive and sustainable global economy

The UN Global Compact is a worldwide pact between companies and the UN to make globalisation more social and environmental. The vision of the UN Global Compact is to pave the way for a sustainable and inclusive global economy that brings lasting benefits for people, communities and markets. In 2013, we co-signed the UN Global Compact as a company of DZ BANK Group and jointly submit progress reports once a year. By joining, we commit ourselves to the ten globally valid principles of responsible action. The principles provide important guidance in the areas of human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and anti-corruption.

UN Principles for Responsible Investment

DZ PRIVATBANK signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment in October 2021. By signing the UN PRI, DZ PRIVATBANK is making it clear how highly it prioritises sustainability in investment. The UN PRI are a guideline for the implementation of sustainable investment strategies and include the following six principles:

1. Incorporating ESG issues into the investment process

2. Incorporating ESG issues into shareholder policy

3. Appropriate disclosure regarding ESG issues at the companies and entities in which DZ PRIVATBANK invests

4. Promote acceptance and implementation of the UN PRI in the investment industry

5. Cooperation with other signatories

6. Reporting on the PRI's own implementation

Signatories are free to shape the implementation of the six principles, but must report annually to the PRI Secretariat on individual measures and strategies to implement each principle. The activity of the individual signatories is assessed on this basis.