The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recently honored Vojvodjanska Banka at its annual general meeting with a special award for the bank’s efforts concerning environmental protection and social issues.

"Congratulations to Vojvodjanska Banka on this recognition,” Henry Russell, EBRD director for financial institutions of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus, said in a press release. “Not only (have they) passed our strict environmental and social criteria for commercial transactions, but (they) also actively promote these standards among…customers.”

Russell noted that through this promotion, Vojvodjanska Banka extends its standards to importers and exporters, expanding its environmental and social impact beyond its own operations. The honor was awarded through the EBRD’s program of trade concessions (TFP), which works to increase trade.

"We are very proud to receive this award as it demonstrates our long-term commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility,” Vojvodjanska Banka Executive Board Chairman Marinos Vathis said in the release. “We never primarily focused profit and figures; our colleagues have worked hard to raise awareness among our customers in deciding environmental and social issues in the trade. I welcome the initiative of my team in the hope that other banks to follow our example. "