BFC takes a step in sustainable development. Reunion bank advisers soon fifty -year -old, subsidiary of Société Générale and Mauritius Commercial Bank, relays the message of social and environmental responsibility (RSE) with their business customers to help them make the ecological shift.
Faced with new regulatory requirements on sustainability reporting, the BFC is organizing itself to make its contribution to the ecological transition. It completes its position as a traditional bank by supporting its corporate clients in their transition to decarbonization.. C’est une véritable stratégie de verdissement de son portefeuille clients qu’entreprend la banque dans la lignée des engagements du Groupe Société Générale. Elle régionalise cette vision pour les acteurs économiques locaux en tenant compte des spécificités du marché ultramarin. Chanaz Banian est depuis un an en charge de la mise en œuvre de la stratégie commerciale RSE. « C’est notre responsabilité, en tant qu’établissement bancaire, de préparer au mieux nos clients à la transition écologique. Celle-ci nous concerne tous et confronte les entreprises à des échéances réglementaires, notamment de décarbonation, auxquelles elles doivent se préparer dès aujourd’hui. Large local companies subject to sustainability reporting know what they need to do, but others are not ready at all. Our duty as a partner is to guide them in the face of these deadlines which will have significant consequences on their activity.. This is what I call support. »
A path of differentiation
The BFC’s green strategy is deployed around three axes : compliance with regulations related to CSR for its own account and by its customers ; raising awareness of the issues of climate change and ecological transition ; solutions for implementing green projects through financing, but also through advice and support. The BFC aims to be proactive in addressing the subject of environmental transition with businesses. In this, she wishes to take on the role of ambassador for CSR issues. A differentiation that renews its image as a bank serving the region and businesses. The BFC began this vast awareness campaign with the training of its staff. Indeed, 70% of front office and back office employees have already been trained in the Climate Fresco, fun and collaborative workshop. It is launching its customer support program with the most impactful companies on an environmental and societal level. “We are moving forward step by step, it’s a new way of working”, says Chanaz Banian.
Responsible financing
“Our goal is to help “green” our clients’ projects”, summarizes Chanaz Banian. An example is given through the new version of the i-Run by BFC product, as part of the Réunion Region’s FAIRE system. This offer offers a bonus rate on projects with a positive impact. Wider, the strategy for large companies integrates environmental criteria, social and governance (ESG). These criteria are analyzed during interviews conducted by business managers with clients.. The aim is to assess the level of maturity of companies and projects to offer appropriate support, from raising awareness to financing operations. More advantageous, the “green” financial offer is based on interest rate subsidies to encourage companies to accelerate in this direction. “It is also clear that by taking into account ESG criteria, we are rationalizing our customer portfolio with the most committed companies”, don't hide Chanaz Banian.
Des personnels sensibilisés et formés
La dimension environnementale et sociale fait évoluer le conseil bancaire. Si ce dernier ne cesse par nature de s’adapter à l’environnement économique et réglementaire, la prise en compte de la RSE donne naissance à une forme de spécialisation. Il s’agit aussi d’orienter vers les bons partenaires, à commencer par les piliers incontournables du soutien technique et financier des entreprises à la transition écologique que sont la Banque publique d’investissement (BPI) et l’Ademe. Face à ces grands enjeux environnementaux, la BFC a structuré une équipe d’experts chargée d’incarner et de diffuser le discours RSE auprès des collaborateurs et également des clients.
An internal, daily efforts
The BFC has been committed to a proactive CSR policy since 2019 and in response to the tertiary decree which plans to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by 40% by 2030.. This reduction is already well underway with photovoltaic panels allowing 20% energy savings in one of the two buildings of the bank's headquarters in Saint-Denis and the implementation of centralized management of lighting and air conditioning in the buildings.. The consumption of paper in daily activity is also in sharp decline. With the governance and human resources component, the CSR action of the BFC is also characterized by a strong sponsorship action with associations working in the professional integration of young people and people in difficulty, as well as associations for the protection of the environment and biodiversity, particularly the marine environment in 2025 when France celebrates the Year of the Sea.
