Barclays 2003 Annual Report Download - page 13

Barclays PLC Annual Report 2003 11
Governance
Good governance is the basis from which we manage our approach
to CSR.
A Board Standard on Corporate Social Responsibility is being developed,
with progress monitored regularly relative to key risk indicators.
In addition, Barclays has formed a Brand and Reputation Committee as
a sub-committee of Group Executive Committee. Its purpose is to:
• ensure conformance of all businesses to the Brand and CSR Board
Standards;
• anticipate decisions that could affect the Group’s reputation;
• identify and manage areas of non-compliance;
• act as a think-tank for the development of the Barclays CSR agenda;
and
• oversee Barclays progress as a socially responsible organisation.
Oversight of CSR by the Barclays Board takes place through the Board
Risk Committee.
CSR in the Marketplace
Our CSR activity is founded on financial performance. Strong financial
performance provides a significant contribution to CSR in itself, but in
addition it provides the foundation for greater aspiration and creativity
in developing the CSR agenda. CSR activity contributes to ensuring that
good financial performance is maintained.
In 2003, Barclays continued to provide funding, advice and access to
basic financial services to vulnerable customers and the financially
excluded.
Our basic bank account, the Cash Card account, acts as a financial
gateway for people who otherwise might find themselves financially
excluded. The number of Cash Card customers, grew by a net 55,500
to 257,500 in 2003, and in the UK we spent over £680,000 funding
financial inclusion related initiatives.
In an effort to make it easier for some disadvantaged groups, including
the homeless, to open a basic bank account, we extended the range of
documents that are accepted as proof of identity and address.
We aim to be a responsible lender and continue to support the provision
of free, independent money advice. We believe we make an important
contribution to improving the financial capability of current and
potential customers.
Ensuring our business was conducted in a responsive, responsible and
ethical way remained a key priority in 2003.
One of the most important developments was our adoption of the
Equator Principles that apply to all project loans with a capital cost
of $50 million or more.
In adopting the Equator Principles, we undertake to provide loans only
to those projects whose sponsors can demonstrate, to the satisfaction
of the bank, their ability and willingness to comply with comprehensive
processes to ensure that projects are developed in a socially responsible
manner and according to sound environmental management practices.
In 2003, we completed the next tranche of work to ensure our UK
branch network was accessible to customers with disabilities, upgrading
over 300 branches.
Additionally, the Barclays Global Diversity Council agreed that, where
possible, UK Disability Deployment Guidelines should be adopted for our
branch refurbishments worldwide. Changes have already been made to
some Barclays branches in Zambia and Ghana.