Social responsibility

The BIS is committed to providing an inclusive and dynamic work environment with sustainable and socially responsible work practices. This commitment is reflected in our work culture and in our drive to operate as a responsible international financial organisation.

Community engagement and social responsibility activities are focused on locations where the Bank maintains business operations (ie our headquarters in Basel, our representative offices in Hong Kong SAR and Mexico and the locations of our Innovation Hub Centres). Our activities can be divided into three types:

  • community engagement
  • social responsibility
  • sustainability

Our people play a key role in all three workstreams: participating in blood drives, supporting fundraising campaigns and making sustainable choices. By supporting cultural, social and educational projects, we aim to strengthen the connections between the BIS and the local communities.

Community engagement

The BIS regularly engages with the local community in various ways, including by offering guided tours for the general public and, on request, for groups. These tours provide an opportunity to visit our premises and learn about our mission of fostering global monetary and financial stability. We also participate in Open House Basel (an initiative to share architecture with the general public through visits) and other cultural and educational events organised in the city of Basel, eg the Basler Geschichtstage (Basel History Days), a public history festival featuring lectures and panel discussions centred on the history of the region.

Social responsibility

The BIS, through its Donations Committee, provides modest financial support for charities and selected social and cultural activities both in Basel and in cities where we maintain business operations.

In addition, we contribute used hardware and furniture to non-governmental organisations that provide educational resources to underprivileged schools around the world.

Our people play an important role in supporting charitable causes and volunteering in the community. There are regular opportunities at the Bank to donate, volunteer and participate in civic and social initiatives, eg throughout the year the BIS organises blood donation drives for colleagues at our headquarters in Basel.

For the last financial year, the BIS supported the charities and non-profit organisations below for a total of CHF 100,000:

 
Sustainability

The BIS is committed to promoting environmental sustainability through our work for and with the central banking community and in our internal operations. Our economic analysis, innovation projects, international engagement and banking services reflect stakeholders' interest in environmental risk-related topics. We regularly enhance our corporate operations to facilitate energy efficiency and waste reduction.

The Bank's most significant work on sustainability concerns economic analysis, outreach and international cooperation, and the provision of sustainable banking products for customers. The BIS regularly integrates sustainability enhancements in its business operations and practices, striving for energy efficiency and waste reduction across the organisation. 

More information is available on: