touching lives - Burgan Bank · This 2009 Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report highlights...

Burgan Bank CSR Annual Report 2009

corporate social responsibility at Burgan Bank

touchinglives

H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahAmir of the State of Kuwait

H.H. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahCrown Prince of the State of Kuwait

For information on our CSR initiativeskindly contact Fadi Matar, Chief MarketingOfficer & General Manager, CorporateCommunications Department at +965 22988400or email [email protected]

Burgan Bank CSR Annual Report 2009 3

Burgan Bank, a subsidiary of KIPCO (Kuwait Projects Company), is a regional bank with majority owned subsidiaries in the MENA region. The youngest and most dynamic regional commercial bank, established in 1977, the Bank has acquired a leading role in the retail, corporate and investment banking sector through innovative product offers and technologically advanced delivery channels. Its subsidiaries include Algeria Gulf Bank (Algeria), Bank of Baghdad (Iraq) (2010) and Jordan Kuwait Bank (Jordan).

It has continuously improved its performance over the years by applying an expanded revenue structure, good asset quality, diversified funding sources and a strong capital base. The adoption of state-of-the-art services and ground-breaking technology has positioned it as a trendsetter in the domestic market and within the MENA region.

At present it enjoys a wide reach through our network of 21 branches and over 130 ATM’s making it one of the widest ATM networks in the GCC.

about Burgan Bank


During 2009 Burgan Bank continued to build on its CSR initiatives to further strengthen its foundation and enhance its contribution to the wider community. We strongly believe that it is important for businesses to be responsible at all times, not only to its investors and business partners, but also to its employees and members of the community. As we are now a regional bank with subsidiaries across the MENA region, our responsibilities are wider spread.

At Burgan Bank, we are committed to our principles and values which have been a key driver of our success. Our objective as an organization goes beyond financial performance; we also measure our success by our efforts to make a positive difference and change in the community. Integrating the essence of corporate citizenship throughout our operations has been core to our CSR strategy whereby decisions are made based not only on financial and economic factors, but also on the social, environmental and other consequences of our activities.

There has been heightened interest over the years as to the roles and responsibilities that organizations must take to support their communities and the economies that they operate in. These include both economic ethical issues and cover a broad spectrum of age groups, cultures and nationalities. As we are, first and foremost, a member of the community, we pledge to continuously endeavor to make a positive difference. To listen, respond and touch lives. By enabling, supporting, motivating and interacting. Be it through innovative products and services or demonstrating our partnership to social causes and those in need.

This 2009 Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report highlights the key activities of the Bank and takes us through a voyage of commitment, dedication and devotion. It is a promise and a message that we take to the people of Kuwait - that Burgan Bank is driven by ‘you’ – the members of society; and we shall overcome challenges together.

Mr. Tariq Mohammed Abdul SalamChairmanBurgan Bank

foreword by the Chairman

Mr. Tariq Mohammed Abdul Salam - Chairman

“The commitment to responsible corporate citizenship continues to be at the heart of Burgan Bank”



The last year or so has been challenging with the world economic crisis and the changing business climate. During such times, we continue to upholding the interest and welfare of all stakeholders who have become increasingly important in today’s economically challenged environment.

Our 2009 Corporate Social Responsibility Report addresses pertinent areas of our business such as corporate governance, accountability, transparency and financial disclosure which have become subjects of continued public debate in recent times. We present a snapshot of how we are upholding these and other responsibilities in the third edition of ‘Touching Lives’.

As part of our vision and commitment to significantly strengthen the social and economic foundation of Kuwait by enhancing the intellectual, human and monetary capital of the community, we developed a comprehensive approach that would form the basis of all Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Within this booklet, you will find a poster which maps out our CSR framework and details all areas that we have and will

continue to support. Our unique approach also seeks to identify and encompass the social, economic and environmental impacts of our business on society and tailors programs that would create a significant impact in the long run in areas that are needful of support.

As a banking and financial institution, we acknowledge our economic responsibilities towards investors, suppliers and trade partners. Our strong Corporate Governance Policies dictate our adherence to international standards and prudent management of consumer affairs.

We are also socially responsible to our employees, the media fraternity and various segments of the wider community as featured in our Corporate Citizenship activities.

On behalf of the Bank, I invite you to read about our key initiatives in the community. We continuously strive to make a meaningful and positive impact in people’s lives.

Jonathan David LyonChief Executive OfficerBurgan Bank

Jonathan David Lyon - Chief Executive Officer(Retired 1st February 2010)

introduction by the CEO

“We must continue to work towards strengthening the social and economic foundation of our community”


corporate governanceinvestor relations awards/international standards consumer affairssupplier and trade relations

economic responsibilities


trustcommitmentexcellenceprogression

Our ValuesThe brand has been created on a foundation of real values – of trust, commitment, excellence and progression to remind us of the high standards to which we aspire. ‘People come first’ is the foundation on which its products and services are developed and are further augmented by its three pillars of innovative technology, staff competency and customer service. It is committed to offering an enhanced banking experience.Excellence is one of the banks 4 key values and Burgan Bank continually strives to maintain the highest standards in the industry. Listed below are some of the recognitions and awards that the Bank has received;


We are strong believers that any successfully organization has a strong corporate governance structure and framework.

Corporate Governance Policies govern and confirm our various management functions, structural hierarchies, business conduct and underline our commitment to transparency, business ethics and best practice.

The Bank’s Board Audit Committee, in conjunction with the Executive Management has developed a comprehensive Corporate Governance Manual as well as 17 policy frameworks. The Manual takes into account international standards stipulated by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (such as Basel II), IFRS, IFAC and the World Bank, as well as guidelines proposed by local authorities such as the Kuwait Stock Exchange and the Central Bank of Kuwait.

We were recognized as one of the leading banks in the region that upholds sound corporate governance policies and best practices at the ‘Regional 2008 Bank Corporate Governance Award’ held by the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance in association with the Union of Arab Banks (UAB) and MasterCard Worldwide in Dubai recently. This is the second consecutive year that we have been conferred this Award. In 2007, the Hawkamah Institute in association with the Union of Arab Banks (UAB) and MasterCard Worldwide acknowledged us as the winner of region’s first ever ‘Hawkamah – UAB Bank Corporate Governance Award 2007’ in view of our commitment to uphold diligent compliance to corporate governance policies and global best practices.

corporate governance

This recognition is significant as we emerged as the winner of the coveted Award following a rigorous assessment of over 40 banking and financial institutions across the region by an international jury of experts. The decisive proficiency areas included commitment to good corporate governance, structure and functioning of the Board of Directors, controlled environment and processes, transparency and disclosure, and treatment of minority shareholders.


investor relations

At Burgan Bank, we continually seek to create and build a relationships with our investors based on trust and partnership which we are committed to protect through a culture of transparency.

We consistently work towards keeping shareholders abreast of all key developments – be it financial dis-closure or business strategy – through several investor initiatives. These include;

1. Annual Shafafiyah Transparency Conference

2. Annual General Assembly wherein

shareholders are apprised of our financial

performance and future plans

3. Extraordinary General Assembly meeting

4. Publication of annual reports and regular

financial results

5. Online email newsletters and daily market

updates

“We are proud of the support and commitment of our shareholders in 2009, which is a key indicator of our relationship and ever-increasing investor confidence.”

We believe that our shareholders, patrons and business partners reserve the right to information on all pertinent policies and developments at the Bank and we therefore encourage dialogues of mutual exchange and solicit feedback.

Since we have now become a regional bank with sub-sidiaries across the MENA region, our Investor Relations role has also become more global. On a regular basis, the Investor Relations team at the Bank meets with investment analysts, financial consultants and institu-tional shareholders to share information on the banks performance as well as to provide a market overview to international clients.

An investor presentation was prepared during the year and updated quarterly. Burgan Bank is one of the few organizations to create an interactive document of such detail that is available online as well as offline at confer-ences and investor road shows.


“Burgan Bank receives the JP Morgan Quality Recognition Award ”

For the 12th consecutive year, we received the J.P. Morgan Quality Recognition Award. The award which was presented to the Bank in 2009 is in acknowledge-ment of the consistent, high quality performance and standards that Burgan Bank’s funds transfer operations management and staff has maintained for the 2008 calendar year.

JP Morgan award

J.P. Morgan confirmed that Burgan Bank achieved the elite level of the award and was the only Bank in the MENA region to receive this outstanding recognition for both its treasury and commercial activities


web awards

In 2009, we were awarded the prestigious Banking Web Awards Prize in the Commercial and Corporate Category for Kuwait.

We are honored to receive this esteemed award from the Pan Arab Web Awards Academy. Burgan Bank’s website has received much positive feedback since it was re-launched in 2007 and more so after its upgrade in 2008. Over the last few years we have seen a huge increase in terms of visits on our website, and more and more of our customers are utilizing our state of the art online banking facility. This favorable response can be attributed to the high level of functionality as well as the simplicity and convenience that the website offers when

customers are seeking information or even making a request. What’s more, the range of information available has enabled us to create a more interactive medium for investors, the media, and so forth.

“Burgan Bank wins first prize among Kuwait’s banks at Banking Web Awards event”


“Burgan Bank receives third ISO recertification”

Burgan Bank was recertified with an ISO accreditation across all its banking businesses for the third time last year. This makes the Bank the only banking institution in Kuwait to be certified with ISO 9001:2008 up to 2012 in all its banking businesses.

This reflects six years of continual improvement in the Bank’s Quality Management System (QMS) since the System was initiated. The recertification implies that we have stringent and well structured policies and procedures which are effective and in line with the overall business objectives. We have maintained a high standard since the last accreditation and ensured that Quality standards in the core areas of the business have been enhanced.

ISO certificate

The accreditation further acknowledges that the Bank is running a business based on world class standards and that its internal systems and procedures are supportive of growth, competitiveness and enhanced quality measures.


awards

Corporate GovernanceBurgan Bank was recognized as one of the leading banks in the region that upholds sound corporate governance policies and best practices at the ‘Regional 2008 Bank Corporate Governance Award’ held by the Hawkamah Institute in association with the Union of Arab Banks (UAB) and MasterCard Worldwide. This is the second consecutive year that the bank has been conferred this Award; in 2007, it emerged as the winner of the region’s first ever ‘Hawkamah UAB Bank Corporate Governance Award 2007’, having contended with over 40 banking institutions across the region for the coveted title.

BankingBurgan Bank was acknowledged as the ‘Best Local Private Bank in Kuwait in the Forth Annual Euromoney Private Banking Survey 2007.

Burgan Bank was also declared the region’s Most in-novative Retail Bank’ by the Middle East Retail Banking Awards 2008 and also won the award for ‘best savings account’ at the 2009 Banker Middle East Awards.


awards

CorporateSocial ResponsibilitiesThe Bank was nominated and shortlisted for the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Leader of the Year’ award category at the MEBA 2008 event.

MarketingDeclared a winner at the 2008 Middle East Business Achievement Awards (MEBA) for ‘Marketing Strategy of the Year’. Having contended with key players across numerous industries across the region in this category, the bank was recognized for its innovation in marketing strategy, sustenance of the brand promise, customer insight and the overall impact of campaigns on market share and position. Incidentally, Burgan Bank was also the only banking and financial institution to have made it to the final shortlist of the marketing strategy category of the first annual MEBA awards held in 2007.

The awards uniquely celebrate Middle East industry leaders through the appreciation of innovative business practices, business excellence and overall business success Its marketing excellence was recognized as amongst the best in the region by the Middle East Business achievement Awards 2008.

QualityBurgan Bank was recertified and still the only bank in the GCC with ISO 9001:2000 certification in all its banking business.

The Bank was credited with the distinction of being the only bank in Kuwait to have won the JPMorgan Chase Quality Recognition Award, 12th year in succession. For two consecutive years, it was conferred the COMMERZBANK Recognition Award, for maintaining high standards of quality, efficiency and reliability while processing Euro currency transactions as well.

Burgan Bank received the World Quality Commitment Gold Award from Business Initiation Directives at the 22nd World Quality Commitment Convention.


Our financial performance and financial strength were acknowledged by Moody’s Investor Service during 2009 by assigning a rating of A2/P-1 for the Bank Deposits and D+ (which translates to a Baseline credit of Baa3). Standards and Poor’s Ratings Services affirmed in July 2009 BBB+ and A-2 rating for the counterparty credit rating and for Certificate of Deposits. Similarly, during November 2009, Capital Intelligence acknowledged the financial profile and strength of the bank and has assigned a BBB+ ratings for the financial strength and A- / A2 rating for the Long and Short Term Foreign Currency.

Burgan Bank 2009 ratings

ratings

Rating agency

Standard & Poor’s

Moody’s

Capital Intelligence

Rating highlights

Counterparty Credit Rating

Bank Deposit Rating

Bank Financial Strength Rating

Foreign Currency

Financial Strength

BBB+ / A2 (Long / Short Term)

A2 / P-1

D+ (Baa3)

A- / A2 (Long / Short Term)

BBB+


consumer affairs

Our customers are at the core of our business and we consistently endeavour to offer them an enhanced banking experience through addressing perceived needs in the market through innovative product development. We consider our customers as our partners in success and encourage bilateralism to improve products, services and processes. This takes the form of solicitation of feedback, an open door culture which welcomes dialogue, extensive consumer research and diligent monitoring of customer grievances.

Protecting the interest of our customers is crucial to leveraging a long-lasting association. Through a number of strategic initiatives including protection against fraud, anti-money laundering programs, upholding privacy issues and so on, we seek to demonstrate our ‘inside-out’ approach to customer relationship management which focuses on the customer first.

We successfully embarked upon the Bright Destiny Project in 2006, which aimed at building a Bank for the future and a brighter tomorrow. The project featured a thorough modernization of the Burgan client experience at the branch level through a ‘re-look’ of branch

premises, adapting existing premises as well as creating a ‘branch model’ for future branches with emphasis on creating a sales-conducive merchandizing space.

By early 2008, we had successfully implemented the branch network strategy – a key component of the Bright Future Project – under which all branches were classified and refurbished into three types to meet the specific needs of different customers through unique services and products.

After the grand success of the Bright Future Project, we launched project Bright Destiny in 2008. The main objective was to transform Burgan Bank from a local bank to a regional one. During 2008 and 2009, Burgan Bank acquired a majority stake in Algeria Gulf Bank (Algeria), Bank of Baghdad (Iraq) and Jordan Kuwait Bank (Jordan) from United Gulf Bank.

In our vision to significantly accelerate our stakeholders’ value, Burgan Bank’s regionalization comes as a natural step forward in its evolution.

Join us as we grow beyond frontiers.


supplier and trade relations

We believe that Good Faith, Integrity, Compliance, Quality and Respect are pre-requisites while conducting business with Clients, Counterparties, Regulatory Authorities, and business colleagues.

In order to nurture a mutually-enriching working relationship, our staff complies by a Code of Ethics which stipulates specific code of conduct for transactions.

We further believe that the right to information, meritocratic selection and transparency in business information procedures and contractual terms are key to fair trading relationships. We have a strong policy underlining the nature of related-party transactions.

We are committed to observing the highest degree of integrity in our marketing communication through responsible, accurate, truthful and unambiguous messaging. We believe that a successful communication campaign – be it advertising, public relations or marketing - is one that mirrors the needs and

expectations of our customers and is thereby devoid of any misleading messaging.

We abide by the media laws of the land and uphold international norms of copyright, trademarks and patent that protect intellectual property. Our media communication and product promotions also strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Central Bank of Kuwait.

employee and public relationmedia relationcorporate citizenship

social responsibilities

employee relations

Our employees are our greatest asset. They are our strongest brand ambassadors in representing the values of the Bank to clients through enhanced customer service and productive interactions. Needless to say, the welfare of our employeesis of paramount priority and is synonymous with the ongoing success of the Bank.

At Burgan Bank, our dynamic Human Resources Development (HRD) department has and continues to actively manage the processes of recruitment and selection as well as closely monitoring the progress of employees through regular performance appraisals,training programs and career advancement opportunities.

We released a comprehensive Training Plan, featuring over 200 different training programs and workshops that employees could attend to develop specific skills. The Training Plan was carefully devised to address four key questions related to employees’ growth: What are employees’ general learning needs? Who are the experts who will conduct the training? What specific skills do employees’ need honed? What method will most help employees learn better?

We also devised a range of learning routes suited to employees’ convenience and comfort level so that they can learn in an environment that is most conducive to their growth. This includes class room based training that brings people together to learn and network, and technology to offer speedy learning solutions through multimedia-based e-learning channels.

We are equal opportunity employers and offer competitive compensation, remuneration and benefits such as pension plans, long-term income protection, maternity leave supplement, and employee assistance programs. Ensuring that our employees are provided a working environment, timings and terms that are motivational and conducive to their productivity and efficiency is an ongoing effort at the Bank. We strongly uphold human rights and encourage mutual respect and cooperation.Communicating key developments across the Bank to all

employees is vital to build a cohesive closely knit work culture which supports the exchange of knowledge and which works towards a shared vision. Our Corporate Communications Division therefore consistently plans effective and timely internal communications initiatives - be it conveying organization change and our future targets and goals to employees at the annual Townhall Meetings, conducting insightful Values Workshops which help reinforce and internalize our corporate values.

To keep all employees updated on corporate developments, activities and events, we publish a bi-lingual quarterly internal newsletter titled ‘Connections’ which highlights the progress made by all departments and branches every three months. ‘Connections’ is now in its eight edition and continues to provide behind-the-scenes insights to employees on where Brand Burgan is going.

Our success is created not only by inspirational leadership, but is moreover the result of applying a set of sound values and principles so as to enhance and coordinate the activities of all teams, groups and divisions. To re-enforce the essence of corporate identity, we successfully conducted a ‘Brand Values and Driving Principles for Action’ program, which included an internal branch-wide program to internalize values and principles that are core to our motto of being ‘driven by you’. Following the internal alignment to our Values (Trust, Commitment, Excellence and Progression) and our Driving Principles (Cooperation, Ownership, Improvement, Inspiration), we have developed the ‘Brand Attitude and Driving Principles for Action’ handbook which illustrates how our principles are set on the foundation of our values, and gives our staff examples of how we can ensure that we can earnestly abide by these principles. An external program will soon follow to further secure investor and customer’s confidence in the essence and substance of our new corporate identity.


Be-Together

Last year, we celebrated the third anniversary of the Be-Together Group, a team of highly motivated employees who organize activities to keep all employees and the departments of the Bank connected. Be-Together was launched in 2005 with the objective of finding effective means of social communication amongst staff.

Be-Together was created to bring people together, to bring them closer and to manage and encourage active involvement in social, sporting and charity affairs.

The Group also works closely with external institutions to enhance the appreciation of arts and heritage as well as sharing of cultural experiences and community services.

We encourage all individuals to realize their potential, be it at work or in their respective areas of talent and sports.


training

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting knowledge acquisition, during 2009 we conducted a summer training program for 30 promising trainees to enable them to gather know-how and experience in the field of banking. The training program acquainted students from different colleges, universities and members of organizations across Kuwait with the different business functions, operations and basic management skills that enable the Bank to successfully meet its business goals and customer expectations.

“Burgan Bank encourages 30 trainees to enhance financial business knowledge & expertise ”

Encouraging young generations to realize their potential has always been a key focus area of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility program. The program prepared them to jumpstart their careers. Giving them an opportunity to learn from veterans in the field of Banking through hands-on training and internships is a way in which we fulfill our commitment to promote banking expertise. Last summer, 30 talented and eager-to-learn youth interacted with senior executives and management members from Burgan Bank, and practice what they learn at the Bank. This learning-plus-application approach further helped in the development of their skills, and helped them to not only jumpstart their career but also equip them with necessary experience to play an important role in the nation’s business and economic development.

The Bank’s HRD Department has been consistently working to integrate learning and training programs into its annual calendar and thereby promote advancement of the nation’s human capital.


Burgan Development Initiative

BURGAN DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

مبادرة بـرقان للتطـوير

Burgan Bank has been created on a foundation of real values – of trust, commitment, excellence and progression, to remind us of the high standards to which we aspire and work to achieve. Taking this foundation forward, we introduced the Burgan Development Initiative (BDI) in 2009 under which we focus on all initiatives related development and progression of our employees as well as members of the greater community. The list of areas covered by the BDI are mentioned below and are also presented in the Burgan Bank CSR Matrix.

The initiative has been undertaken with a strong belief that our human resources are our most important assets and influential brand ambassador. Holding fast to our motto of being ‘Driven by You’, the BDI is aimed at the overall growth of our employees in all spheres and invests in their development and training. Through our talented staff we ensure that our customers receive the service we strive to provide them with, along the lines and in sync with of our brand values and principles.

At Burgan Bank, we motivate our employees to internalize, reflect, and practice our brand attitudes, values and principles in their everyday performance. In turn, this reflects on their interaction with our stakeholdes and reinforces or brand proposition.

Some of the key initiatives undertaken by BDI in 2009

were:

• Awareness seminar about health and safety• Development and support of Kuwaiti staff • Management training programs • Graduate training programs• Human resources and strategic development program• Induction program for new recruits• Sponsoring and participating in Job Fairs for internship and fresh-graduate job applicants


During 2009, we recruited and provided an induction training program for 20 promising nationals into our workforce. With this latest initiation we have recruited 116 young nationals into our growing and diverse workforce in 2009. At the bank we are committed to sustaining national development by supporting the advancement of national human capital as a part of our aggressive corporate social responsibilities framework. We now have a significant 61% of Kuwaitis as part of the Burgan family.

We have recruited over 116 nationals into our workforce in 2009 and we will continue to recognize their potential, identify their strengths and sharpen their skills through training and development programs. Our nationals contribute to our success. Committing to the country’s Kuwaitization initiative has been a key component of our Corporate Social responsibility framework and philosophy.

We have also developed the potential of 30 trainees through our summer training program. We believe it is our role and responsibility to provide and enhance the skills required for this young enthusiastic group to effectively find a successful career and achieve their goals.

We present a successful model of a private sector firm’s ability to attract young and ambitious Kuwaitis, provide them with the skills through structured training and development programs by which to mould them into successful bankers. Burgan Bank strives to invest in its employees, reward them with best-in-class benefit programs and pave the road for them to take advantage of the various career development and growth opportunities in the bank.

investing in national human capital


media relations

We are proud of our partnership and association with the media fraternity in Kuwait. Over the years, we have focused on strengthening our already stringent relationship with the media and will continue to do so.

The Corporate Communications Division of the Bank houses a Public Relations team whose key responsibilities comprise ensuring the continuous flow of accurate information to the media and announcing key initiatives through this highly influential medium.

As part of its Media Relations activities and by its belief in the importance of the Media role in Society, KIPCO hosted a media gathering and dinner in 2009 on behalf of its operating companies to thank the media and acknowledge their efforts, support and role in the society.

The media event was attended by local and regional media. Burgan Bank as a subsidiary of KIPCO was represented by its corporate communications team and maintains an on-going dialogue with both local and regional media. Over 70 media representatives have attended the event and enjoyed a pleasant evening that included entertainment and dinner.

Burgan Bank has been recertified with an ISO accreditation across all our operations for a third time. This recognition, which gives us the honor of being the only bank in Kuwait to be certified with ISO 9001:2008 up to 2012, underlines our commitment to continuous improvement. We attribute this achievement to you for inspiring us to try harder and work untiringly towards our high goals. After all, we are driven by you.

For more information please call Burgan Direct on (+965) 1804080, or visit www.burgan.com

unmatchedexcellence recognized


empoweringthe handicapped

corporate citizenship


caring for children

We avowed our support to the Kuwait Association for Care of Children in Hospitals (KACCH) for the year seventh year in a row. Caring for children has been an integral part of Burgan Bank’s Corporate Citizenship program and so we have been proud to be a benefactor towards KAACH’s yearly funds and causes.

Over the past six years, our continual contributions have significantly supported the development of healthcare and pediatric facilities in over six hospitals which are part of KAACH, often helping children and their families fund the treatment and recovery from fatal illnesses.

As part of our ongoing commitment, the bank’s staff made visits to the pediatric wards of several hospitals in 2009. Our efforts have also been recognized by the Ministry of Social Affairs and other key organizations in Kuwait.


It has been Burgan Bank’s constant endeavor to integrate the disadvantaged into the mainstream and restore to them a sense of belonging and involvement.

To this end, Burgan Bank encourages the disadvantaged to enhance their skill-sets through suitable job opportunities within its workforce.

We also partner with several handicapped societies to participate in a variety of activities designed to raise the spirits of the disadvantaged, be it celebrating Qerqean – the customary distribution of confectionery during Ramadan – with the Kuwait Handicapped Sports Club, sponsoring a week-long program in association with the Special Needs Organization to observe the National Handicapped Day.

“beyond every effort put forth, lies an undiscovered opportunity”

supporting those with special needs


overcoming the challenges

“Al Mass celebrates the spirit of determination ”

One of Burgan Bank’s main Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, the Al-Mass Annual Awards, acknowledges outstanding achievements by disadvantaged members of our community and reflects Burgan Bank’s long-standing commitment to social welfare. Now in their eight year, the Awards are organized in association with Mishari Al-Khair, the charitable wing of the KIPCO group, and support and encourage personal development of the challenged by rewarding the success of 12 outstanding individuals in overcoming obstacles in three categories:

• The Blue diamond award for mental disability• The Yellow diamond award for physical disability• The White diamond award for sensory disability

Winners are recognized in front of the broader handicapped community, and are entitled to a beneficiary fund deposited in their own special account in Burgan Bank.


Gergean festivities

As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, Shabab Al-Khair Volunteering Group, Kuwait Society for the Handicapped and Burgan Bank organized the annual Gergean activity at the Kuwait Scientific Center.

We also celebrated Gergean with the nursing department of Al-Sabah Hospital and Abeer 2 volunteers. The bank’s Public Relations officials visited the hospital and Abeer 2 Center with traditional Gergean confectionery and gifts.

Supporting the welfare of children and people with special needs have always been the key focus areas of our Corporate Citizenship framework. The smiles and expressions of joy on the faces of children were priceless. We are committed to making a difference in the lives of people who require particular support. As part of our ongoing commitment, we are also working closely with members of the Kuwait Society for the Handicapped to enable them to surmount obstacles.

“Celebrating Gergean festivities with children with special needs ”


Swine flu awareness seminar

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health Burgan Bank conducted an in-house awareness seminar on H1N1 virus for our staff. Causes, cures, and preventive measures against the virus were covered.

After the seminar, Burgan Bank published and distributed leaflets to the public containing awareness material on the H1N1 virus in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.


Burgan Bank joined hands with the “Get Healthy Kuwait” Team and invited all its employees to a Special Healthy Day for awareness. Our main objective through this initiative was to make individuals aware of diabetes and obesity as well as ways to manage and avert such illnesses.

partners with Get Healthy Kuwait

This tie-up is a continuation of our initiative to offer our employees a host of special incentives by giving them an opportunity to receive nutritional consultations, medical tests, and important analyses to stay healthy as well as other benefits as part of our Corporate Social Responsibilities.


We hosted a presentation session for the children of Martyrs, POWs, retired officials from the Ministry of Interior and veterans at our head office in July 2009. This summer training activity program was organized in conjunction with the Ministry of Interior.

The public relations department and marketing unit of the Bank highlighted through a presentation, the “banking business” in general. After the presentation session, all the children that attended the presentation were taken on a tour into the main banking hall and the operations were explained to them. The groups thoroughly benefited and enjoyed the day out.

training event for children of Martyrs, POWs


investing in education

“Burgan Bank introduces the world of banking to students ”

Highlighting its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility at Burgan Bank, a team from the Bank visited Khawla intermediate School and Sharifa Al Awadhi High School during 2009 to promote knowledge-acquisition among students. The team presented vital and interesting data about the bank products & Services in general.

The theme of the Bank’s presentation revolved around its products and services. It explained how these products are tailored to assist customers to manage their personal finance prudently.


tribute to a richcultural legacy

“we are committed topreserving the foundationof our community”

We are proud of the rich cultural heritage of Kuwait, and seek to promote it through various mediums. It has been an honor to release the 500 issues limited collector’s edition of the ‘Treasury of the World’ based on the artifacts of the Kuwait National Museum’sAl Sabah Collection. We also look forward to continuously supporting other works of art, as we did the Dar Al Athar Collection which featured in our corporate desk calendars for 2007.

We have also sponsored the publishing of the limited collectors’ edition of ‘A Journey into the World of the Ottomans’, which presents an Orientalist voyage of discovery. This definitive scholarly publication by Olga Nefedova accounts the work and life of Jean Baptiste Vanmour, a little known artist who celebrated the rich, vibrant 18th century Orientalist perception of the thenmysterious Ottoman Levant and Near East.

We were proud to be a sponsor of the 20th Annual Pearl Diving Revival Journey organized in July by the Kuwait Sea Club under the patronage of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Pearl diving is one of the oldest traditions practiced by Kuwait’s forefathers.

The pearl industry contributed significantly to Kuwait’s economy before the extraction and commercialization of oil.


partnerships & collaborations

We are honored to continually provide our support to social organizations in conducting important social programs. We have been avowing our association with Mishari-Al- Khair – the charitable wing of the KIPCO Group – by siphoning funds to facilitate their causes to date. We have also funded the Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), thus promoting the scientific temper in the country.

At Burgan Bank, we also encourage our employees to participate in community welfare programs. In this respect, we have held numerous activities at the bank like the blood donation drive and ‘get healthy’ campaigns.


environmentally friendly

At Burgan Bank we encourage our employees to be environmentally-conscious. Not only do we regularly conduct internal paper recycling projects, but also re-use the recycled paper to print bank merchandise, literature and stationery such as letterheads, branded tissue boxes and notepads.

Burgan Bank received the JPMorgan Quality Recognition Award as an acknowledgement of the consistent, high quality performance and standards that its funds transfer operations management and staff have maintained. JPMorgan confirmed that Burgan Bank achieved the elite level of the award and was the only Bank in the MENA region to receive this outstanding recognition for both its treasury and commercial activities.

For more information please call Burgan Direct on +965 2298 8000, or visit www.burgan.com

A prestigious award for outstanding quality…12 years in a row


The success and reach of any corporate social responsibility initiative can only be gauged by the degree to which it makes a positive difference in the community in the long run. We believe that goodwill and welfare cannot be truly measured or expressed in quantitative figures as they are the very foundation of humanity. We earmarked a cumulative CSR beneficiary fund of KD 620,796 for 2009 (Kindly refer to Table) which siphoned contributions and donations to various causes as highlighted in the earlier pages.

To arrive at a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility framework that optimizes the harvest of benefits reaped by the community, the Bank has initiated plans to empanel a Corporate Social Responsibility Advisory Committee that will work on the corporate citizenship focus areas for 2009 as highlighted by the ‘Trust’ Pyramid. This Pyramid details how we fulfill our social, economic and environmental responsibilities, our objectives while doing so and how our approach leverages ‘Trust’ to being driven by ‘you’ – the people of our diverse community who are always first on our list of priorities.


Table: 2009 CSR Beneficiary Fund

Cumulative Donations and Contributions in 2009: KD 620,796

KD 68,000 (11%) KD 158,000 (25%)

KD 205,436 (33%)

KD 189,360 (31%)

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touching lives - Burgan Bank · This 2009 Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report highlights...

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