Short-list chosen for FT Sustainable Banking Awards

The Financial Times has announced the short-list of banks nominated for the FT Sustainable Banking Awards, the first global awards programme designed to recognise banks that have shown leadership and innovation in integrating social, environmental and corporate governance objectives into their operations.

Launched in association with the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, the awards have surpassed expectations in their inaugural year, drawing 90 entries from 48 institutions in 28 countries.

The judging panel, which includes leading figures involved in sustainable finance and development, met on May 8 at the FT offices in London to agree on a short-list of five banks for each of the five categories of awards. Among the nominees, Dutch bank ABN Amro, its Brazilian affiliate Banco ABN Amro Real and WestLB of Germany were each short-listed for three awards. Twelve countries are represented on the short-list.

The judging panel will meet again in June to pick the winners in each category. The winners will be announced and the awards presented at an invitation-only dinner to be held at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London on June 12. David Cameron, leader of Britain’s Conservative Party, will speak at the event.