The Bank was recognized in the eighth edition of the prestigious RESPECT Index ranking published by the Warsaw Stock Exchange. This year marked the eighth time for Citi Handlowy to be ranked among socially responsible companies.
It is the eight consecutive year when our socially responsible policy, high corporate governance and investors relations standards are appreciated by the Warsaw Stock Exchange. This proves that the actions pursued by Citi Handlowy are well received by the market and also build investors' trust to the Bank. Presence on such a prestigious list has a positive impact on both, our company image and its share price, said Katarzyna Otko-Dħbrowska, Investor Relations Head at Citi Handlowy at the ceremony summing up the 8th edition of the RESPECT Index project, during which the new composition of the Index was announced.
The RESPECT Index is the first index listing socially responsible companies in Central and Eastern Europe. It was created by the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Organizations that want to be selected for this ranking should demonstrate high standards with respect to corporate governance, information policy and investor relations. They should also be active in the field of ecology, corporate social responsibility and employee-related matters, i.e. factors which constitute an integral part of the bank's business strategy.
This positive trend can also be seen in other countries, companies in Poland start paying more attention to corporate social responsibility activities. Citi Handlowy has been active and set new standards in this field for many years now. Since 2005, we have been carrying on the biggest employee volunteering program in Poland, implementing projects for entrepreneurship development, financial education and protection of the Polish cultural heritage. This year, by the means of 15 programs we have reached over 160 000 recipients, adds Krzysztof Kaczmar, the President of The Citi Handlowy Leopold Kronenberg Foundation.
