27/09/2022

To our stakeholders:

I reaffirm National Bank of Kenya support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption.

In this annual Communication on Progress, we outline the actions we’ve taken to continually improve the integration of the Global Compact and its principles into our business strategy, culture, and daily operations. We also commit to continually share this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.
Sincerely yours,
Peter M. Kioko
Ag. Managing Director

Governed by the Constitution, ILO, the employment act and procedures, NBK has put in place policies to ensure that all our activities respect the rights and responsibilities of all people; Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against all and other applicable international instruments relating to the human rights of indigenous peoples.

NBK embraces Gender mainstreaming, diversity and inclusion of minorities, marginalized & vulnerable persons, groups and communities, persons with disabilities, unbanked and underbanked populations as a long-term commitment and as an integral part of achieving the Bank’s strategic plans and growth in the diverse markets in which it operates.
The Bank has created and maintained an inclusive and high performing culture through living the corporate values, promoting the right behaviours and sustaining meritocracy through employment without discrimination, affirmative action, capacity building and zero tolerance to corruption.

The Bank has implemented financial inclusivity products to address sustainable development and banking practices. For instance, Islamic banking- Almasi Account for female customers to meet their unique banking needs. The Bank is part of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programme, which seeks to finance women, youths and persons of disabilities in the business sector.

Within the bank’s physical locations, we have adjusted improve access to differently abled people including providing ramps and stairway lifts, making doorways wider, installing automatic doors and providing more lighting and clearer signs.

Further, through industry activities with Kenya Bankers Association, members of the bank have participated in sign language trainings to help better support customers living with disabilities.

The Bank upholds the principles of accountability and the rule of law, participation and inclusion, and equality and non -discrimination, noting that prohibited grounds of discrimination include race, ethnicity, gender, age, language, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, political or other opinion, national or social or geographical origin, property, birth or other status, including as a member of a minority.

The Bank has 10 employees living with disability

National Bank of Kenya complies with all the stipulated labor laws to ensure the terms and conditions of employment are favorable for all. The Bank has put in place policies and procedures to create and maintain positive individual and harmonious collective working relationships based on trust, mutual respect and dialogue in the Bank.

The Bank fulfills the requirements of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for all employees, customers, suppliers and visitors in the workplace. It also provides safe working conditions and suitable safety equipment for hazardous work (where applicable). The Bank protects its workers from workplace harassment, including physical, verbal, sexual or psychological harassment, abuse or threats.

The Bank maintains fairness and equity in employee remuneration and reward. It also has one of the best pension schemes in the industry to ensure staff save for retirement. National Bank does not participate in any form of forced or bonded labour. The Bank maintains recognition schemes and standards for employees.

To support the future labour market, the bank is deliberate in support of students through mentorships, scholarships, and internships.

To ensure staff welfare, the Bank has an Inhouse full-fledged Staff Wellness Unit within HR focusing on:
 Health education and empowerment through organized health talks on the various aspects of wellbeing-physical, mental, emotional, social and financial.
 24-hour helpline for psychosocial support to staff as well as help with all medical related queries
 Chronic disease management- staff managing chronic conditions are on follow up to support them with monthly drugs replenish
 Employee assistance program (Bereavement, Parents of children with special needs, Psychosocial support, staff living with disability, staff struggling with substance abuse and alcoholism managed through counselling and rehabilitation)

NBK has in place a Social and Environmental Management System (SEMS) policy that articulates how NBK integrates environmental and social considerations into its decision-making, operations and investment activities to effectively manage social and environmental risks and impacts and improve outcomes.

As a bank, our focus is to enhance responsible banking practices by improving access to financial services while being a responsible social and environmental lender.

The Bank has introduced green financing as a core element of its banking practices by embedding environment and social risk considerations into its financial decisions.

The Bank carries out environmental conservation through tree planting; reduction of electricity energy, water, fuel & paper.

The Bank has adopted SDG #6 - Clean Water and Sanitation and partnered with like-minded organizations in a Green Finance Initiative to create impact by expanding access to water and sanitation services & products as well as renewable energy.

The NBK Water and Sanitization credit finance offers flexible financing solutions under NBK Maji Connect Financing Program which is designed to accelerate financing for Water Service Providers (WSPs), MSMEs and Corporates in the water, sanitization and hygiene sector.

• Developed one Product to address socials issues /challenges - MajiKonnect
• Additional people that got access to safe and drinking water due to WASH finance is 4,150
• Additional people that got access to sanitation due to WASH finance is 1,650
• Additional job created in the society is 34
• The Bank has 5 policies aligned to sustainable finance

National Bank of Kenya adopts a zero-tolerance position to all forms of corruption, bribery and unethical business practice at the workplace. All Directors, members of staff, consultants, agents and others acting for and in relationship with the Bank are required to uphold ethical business conduct.

The Bank has in place board approved policies namely Code of Ethical Conduct and Anti Money laundering to support governance around business ethics with the key focus areas on;
 Zero tolerance to Bribery & Corruption
 Corruption and Bribery
 Ethical business relationship
 Conflict of interest
 Prohibitions and insider trading

In implementation of these policies the Bank undertakes the following on an annual basis;
 Annual staff training on the code of ethics
 Annual staff declarations
 Suppliers sign up to the code of ethics
 Whistle blowing established

• 1600 staff members have undergone the code of ethics and anti-fraud training
• 1500 employees have signed Staff Declaration forms