By Martin Rohner, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Banking on Values
Introduction letter to the 2023 Annual Report by the Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values.
2023 marked the start of the development of a new strategy. We consulted widely with stakeholders in, and outside, our movement. We are seen as a credible, collaborative and diverse international network of banks that constantly strives to increase its positive impact.
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At the same time, we were encouraged to increase our visibility and scale, to help fulfil our aspirations to drive system-wide change. We also heard consistent concerns about mainstream banks adopting our language without backing it up with real change.
“Transformation is what sets values-based banking apart.”
It’s also a theme I witnessed in practice during my travels this year. I came across some truly inspirational projects that are genuine game changers in their communities.The following are just a small selection:
• Muktinath Bikas – transforming the Nepalese agricultural value chain
• LAPO Bank – empowering women across Nigeria during a truly challenging economic periodin the country
• Banco Sol – leading the digitalization of Bolivian communities through a cutting-edge digital transformation strategy
• Beneficial State Bank – keeping the lights on in social and cultural institutions in low-income neighbourhoods that have been hit by the financial crisis in the San Francisco Bay area,
• and Bank of Karditsa – using its clout as the leading financial institution in its community to enable the integration and financial access of migrants to Greece.
The practitioners in our movement met extensively during 2023 to strengthen our institutions and lead the banking agenda in our countries and regions.
I was particularly thrilled by the success of the first edition of the Governance Academy, bringing non-executive directors together to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of our crucial governing boards. We also initiated a project, generously funded by our supporting partner, Dutch development bank FMO, to improve access to correspondent banking for our members.
I reflect with satisfaction and gratitude on what we have achieved collectively as a movement in 2023. A particular thank you goes to my gracious hosts during the year, the co-workers in their institutions and their clients. A sincere thank you, too, to all our members and partners for your enduring commitment to values-based banking, as well as the full team at the Secretariat for helping to make the highlights that you can read about in this report, happen. Together you continue to show what a bolder future for banking looks like in practice.
