TSKB CEO Ece Börü Listed in "Asia's Top Sustainability International Superwomen"

CSR Works International announced the honors list of “Asia's Top Sustainability International Superwomen 2020” with the aim of supporting the women's network that drives positive change in the world by recognizing the achievements of women. Marked as one of 13 female leaders creating value in the field of sustainability in various civil society and private sector institutions including the University of Tokyo, the Asian Development Bank and Hindustan (India) Unilever in the vast geography of Asia, Ece Börü is the only female leader representing Turkey in the honors list

TSKB CEO Ece Börü was listed in "Asia's Top Sustainability Superwomen 2020" created for sustainability leadership by CSR Works International, a global reliable organization on sustainability consulting, training and thought leadership. Marked as one of 13 female leaders creating value in the field of sustainability in various civil society and private sector institutions including the University of Tokyo, the Asian Development Bank and Hindustan (India) Unilever in the vast geography of Asia, Ece Börü is the only female leader representing Turkey in the honors list. Rewarding the sustainability activities in Asia region since 2005, CSR Works International aims to support the women's network driving the positive change across the globe by recognizing the achievements of women through its programme "Asia's Top Sustainability Superwomen" for the last 3 years.

Being the first female CEO of TSKB as well as the leader of the bank's Sustainability Committee, Ece Börü said that she was honored and happy to be listed with 13 female leaders creating value in the field of sustainability in Asia region under CSR Works International's "Asia’s Top Sustainability Superwomen 2020" and went on to say: "Each and every achievement throughout TSKB's long-term sustainability journey is backed by intensive effort and superior teamwork. I can say that none of our achievements in the field of sustainable banking dealt with in a systematic way has happened by chance. Raising the bar each year, TSKB has become a bank closely following global practices, introducing many innovative practices in Turkey and taking concrete steps towards fight against climate change, transition to a low-carbon economy and inclusive development. I am very proud to be a heartfelt partner of dreams and ideas for sustainability projects in a bank that places sustainability on the center of the banking model and corporate culture and runs towards the goal of continuous improvement in this field with great motivation. On the other hand, I think equal opportunities is critical in building a sustainable future. I wholeheartedly believe that a rise in the representation of women in management and employment will also accelerate sustainable transformation."

TSKB is raising the bar every year in the field of sustainable banking.

Integrating sustainability into the entire banking model since its establishment in 1950 and boosting its achievements in this area every year, TSKB continues to contribute to the growth of our country's sustainable and inclusive production economy in the field of corporate banking, investment banking and advisory services.

Securing funds from international markets to finance environmental investments and offering the first environment-themed loan facilities to the service of the Turkish industry in 1990s, TSKB launched project finance operations in the field of renewable energy in early 2000s. Around the same period, it became the first bank to support the management of environmental and social impacts from banking operations as well as Turkey's transition to a low-carbon economy.

It became the first bank in the finance sector to be certified with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard and ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gases Management Standard owing to the Environmental Management System established thereby in 2005 to meet international standards.

TSKB broke another ground in the Turkish finance sector through the sustainability report published in 2009 and its GRI A+ approved report in 2013 marks the first of its kind. TSKB has been presenting its financial and sustainability performance with its Integrated Report since 2016.

TSKB cultivates strong relations with International Development Finance Institutions, pursues a sustainable banking model and provides financing facilities to support a low-carbon economy. TSKB issued the first Green/SRI Bond in Turkey and the CEEMEA region in 2016, which was followed by the first Subordinated Sustainable Bond issuance in the world in 2017.

TSKB had an efficient year regarding sustainability also during 2020.

74% of TSKB's loan portfolio consists of sustainable and social investments such as climate, environment, renewable energy, resource efficiency and women's employment. TSKB measures the environmental and social risks of all projects, regardless of the amount, and offers funds for environmental, climate and women-friendly investments. Monitor the impact of its loan portfolio in terms of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through its SDG mapping method, the bank enables its stakeholders to take concrete sustainability actions via its innovative loan models and experience exchange platforms.

In 2020, TSKB developed a new loan with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The SDG Loan Model offers an opportunity to improve financing costs depending on the positive impact created by companies.

Introducing sustainability for investment banking, TSKB broke yet another ground in 2020 and successfully issued the first sustainable lease certificate in Turkey.

Established by TSKB with all its stakeholders to raise awareness and produce solutions in the field of combating climate risks, the Green Swan Climate Platform is among the significant developments of 2020.

Playing an active role at the “Finance in Common” Summit, which was organized in parallel with the “Paris Peace Forum” in 2020 and brought together more than 450 development banks across the world for the first time, TSKB signed three different declarations on "Gender Equality", "Protection of Biodiversity" and "Combating Climate Change". Besides, the session on “Development Banks as Actors for Change Towards Gender Equality” was held under the leadership of TSKB.

Ranked by Sustainalytics No. 6 among 372 banks worldwide in terms of its Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Risk Rating owing to the significant initiatives introduced in the field of sustainability, TSKB is leading the Turkish banks to that end.

2021 started with successful activities.

TSKB entered into 2021 by issuing the first sustainability-themed bond in the Turkish finance sector and issued a sustainable bond worth USD 350 million on a maturity of 5 years, which was 6 times oversubscribed.

TSKB's first female CEO and the bank's Sustainability Committee Chairperson Ece Börü became the only Turkish person among the 13 female leaders creating value in the field of sustainability in various civil society and private sector institutions including the University of Tokyo, the Asian Development Bank and Hindustan (India) Unilever in the vast geography of Asia under "Asia's Top Sustainability International Superwomen 2020" by CSR Works International.

TSKB continues to engage in exemplary work in the field of equal opportunities

Believing that women's participation in the economy holds great potential for sustainable development, TSKB continues to undertake projects creating tangible value.

With the themed-funds secured from the French Development Agency (AFD) and the World Bank, the bank has been promoting women's participation in production and good practices towards achieving gender equality in workplaces under the Women's Employment Loan Program since 2016.

Through the Equal Steps digital platform established in cooperation with AFD and the Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD), it guides companies wishing to take steps towards developing an approach of equal opportunities via high-quality publications, exemplary practices, studies and roadmaps.

It contributes to the education of female university students via the "Empower Through Education Scholarship Fund" established in cooperation with the Turkish Education Foundation ("TEV").

Channeling its support for Istanbul Music Festival sponsored thereby since 1990 into an area with a focus on equal opportunities, TSKB has been offering support for the education of young female musicians through the Tomorrow's Female Stars Support Fund jointly executed with Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV).

TSKB also supports equal opportunities via its in-house practices. Women account for 54% of the banking staff of TSKB, which became one of the first Turkish signatories to the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) introduced by UN Woman. TSKB also holds the Equal Opportunities Model (FEM) certificate issued by the World Bank and the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGIDER).

The honors list created by CSR Works International for Asia's Top Female Sustainability Leaders is available at:

https://csrworks.com/asias-top-sustainability-superwomen-2020-list/