Skip the FT sustainable banking awards this year
March 2, 2009
The Financial Times advertises handsomely to promote the 2009 edition of the FT sustainable banking awards. It rightly claims that these are the leading awards recognising banks and other financial institutions for leadership and innovation in integrating social, environmental and corporate governance considerations into their operations.
In view of the recent performance of the banking industry I want to suggest the FT not to reward any bank for its sustainability performance. Of course the awards reflect a relative performance; even today one bank is better than another. However, since the industry has collectively failed in absolute terms, I believe it would add to the credibilty of these awards and the trust of the banking industry if the FT would make such a statement.
I know that I might be spoiling a party, but I’m sure banking clients, shareholders, the general public and even the bankers themselves would welcome such decision of the FT. Comtemplate first, create and construct next, celebrate later (hopefully). What do you think?
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Comments on this blog
Spot on Triple Value! Mag ik ook verwijzen naar het prachtige "Mea Culpa" artikel van Han de Jong van ABN AMRO in het FD van 4/3/09. Madeleine Jacobs
It would be wonderful to give Triodos Bank this award . They show 'leadership and innovation in integrating social, environmental and corporate governance considerations into their operations.' A few years ago they were considered to be a green
You hit the nail right on the head. My suggestion is to skip all 2009 nominations and have 1 single 2009 FT award with one nominee and known winner: "the Global Alliance for Banking on Values" of 12 international banks. The conference around th
I guess I do not agree with the suggestion to skip the FT awards 2009 for two reasons mainly. First of all, despite all understandable remarks on the past behaviour of the banking industry there are always exceptions to the rule. They deserve the recognit