Summary of Activities of Green Banking

Policy guidelines for Green Banking were circulated to all scheduled banks by Bangladesh Bank on February 27, 2011 (See detail Circular). Since then BASIC Bank Ltd has been undertaking the following steps/activities as part of implementation of Phase-II under compliance with policy guidelines for Green Banking of Bangladesh Bank:

1.

Formed a Green Banking Policy Implementation & CSR Unit (GBPICSRU) of 12 (Twelve) Officials (As per Annexure- A) headed by one Deputy Managing Director and the unit is acting to implement Green Banking activities in the Bank.

2.

Formulated a Green Banking Policy of BASIC Bank limited (See Policy in detail) duly approved by its Board of Directors which has been circulated to all Branches & Divisions of Head Office.

3.

Executive Committee of the Board of Directors has been vested with the responsibility for reviewing & monitoring the Bank's Environmental policy, strategies & Program.

4.

Issued necessary circulars to implement In-house Environmental Management by all of its offices.

5.

Allocated considerable amount of Fund for green Banking, Green Marketing & capacity Building.

6.

Approved sizable Budgetary Provision for Climate Risk Fund for the Year 2013

7.

Earmarked necessary steps/activities that are required to be addressed by the respective Divisions/Cells/Units for effective implementation of Green Banking & communicated to them.

8.

Arranged workshop for the executives (50 Nos) of Head office & Branch level.

9.

Arranged 2 workshops for desk level 87 Credit officers of Branch level.

10.

Approximately 500 (Five Hundred) Officers were trained till date on this subject in their foundation training Course.

11.

Regularly reporting the progress of implementation of Green Banking Activities to Bangladesh Bank on quarterly basis

12.

A general instruction has already been circulated to the employees for efficient use of electricity, water, paper and reuse of equipments. Preparation of "Green Office Guide" is in progress.

13.

Bank has opened a separate Web Page for disclosing latest progress of its implementation on regular basis.

14.

All of its Branches including Head Office are operating fully under online banking systems.

15.

Steps are being taken to introduce green marketing which incorporate a broad range of activities, including a product modification, change of the production process, packaging change as well as modifying advertising etc.

16.

Rigorous program to educate client is underway.

17.

The Bank has laid due importance on introducing green financing through encouraging:

18.

Moreover, for in-house environmental management Bank has instructed to all officials of Branch level & Head Office level (See circular in details)..

20.

Formulated ERMP (Environmental Risk Management Plan) as a part of strategic planning (Draft) which to be approved by Board shortly.

21.

Established 6 (Six) Branches using solar energy (partially) & attempt are being undertaken to open new Branches based on solar energy, where possible.

22.

To address Environmental Risk & other social issues, ERM (Environmental Risk Management) Guideline issued by Bangladesh Bank (See ERM Guideline) shall be used as specific guideline manual. Besides, regulatory directives from different authorities of GOB shall also be followed to lessen Environmental risk issues.

23.

Circulated categories of industries to all Branches & Divisions of Head Office as per Environmental Conservation Rules (ECR) 1997 (See Circular in details) regarding conservation of Environment, Improvement of standard and control of environmental pollution from various sources.

Circulated a reminder letter to all Branches and Divisions of Head Office for completing EnvRR (Environmental Risk Rating) in addition to Credit Risk for all existing/prospective Borrowers (See Circular in details).

Circulated a letter to all Branches and Divisions of Head Office for disbursing minimum 5% of total annual disbursement of loan to Green projects as per Bangladesh Bank directives (See circular in details).

Environmental initiatives for construction of project and expansion of business center as well as utilization of climate risk fund of the Bank (See circular in details).

Reformation of Sustainable Finance Committee of BASIC Bank Limited (See circular in details).