The Co-operative Bank Partnership Report - National & International Society

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National and
International Society

There is no such thing as society, it was famously remarked back in the 1980s. We couldn't disagree more strongly. At the very heart of our Partnership Approach lies a recognition of interdependence: the understanding that our activities rely for their success, and have an impact upon, the world around us. As you've read, this isn't just a matter of conscience; we're convinced that being a good "corporate citizen" is good for business. In fact, we'd go as far as to say that only by taking account of our wider responsibilities can we ensure the long-term commercial success of The Co-operative Bank.

The demand from our customers that we should pursue a path of ecological excellence has never been stronger.

Taking a stand - can a bank really make a difference in the wider world? For proof, look no further than our leading role in the campaign against landmines.

[ Co-operation and interdependence - ideas whose time has come ]
It's hard to remember how different attitudes towards business were just a decade or so ago. At that time, predatory and unscrupulous commercial activities were widely tolerated, even condoned. Greed, according to many, was good. So when we published our Mission Statement in 1988, committing ourselves to running our business along more "inclusive" lines, with a purpose beyond profit for shareholders, we could hardly have seemed more out of step with the prevailing mood. But times have changed. Today, business is judged by much higher standards. More than ever, consumers expect and demand that commercial organisations should conduct themselves in a way that shows concern and respect not only for their customers and staff, but also for the world around them.

Our Customers Who Care scheme provides an excellent example of this enlightened self-interest in action. Each quarter we organise joint awareness raising activities with expert campaigning organisations, on issues such as Disability and Biodiversity.

In the following section, we report on these and many other aspects of our partnership with Society; a partnership which we're proud to say has won the Bank the 1997 Corporate Conscience Award for Global Ethics from the Council on Economic Priorities in the United States.

When we introduced our Partnership Approach last year, we recognised that long term commercial success was reliant on delivering value to all our partners.

Since the launch of the Ethical Policy in 1992 the Bank has gone from strength to strength - proving that principles and profitability can go hand in hand.

Our Ecological Mission Statement commits us to develop our business taking into account the impact our activities have on the environment and society at large.