Our Sustainability Method

Within the scope of the Capital Markets Board's Corporate Governance Communiqué, full compliance with the mandatory principles of Corporate Governance Principles is achieved and efforts are being carried out to ensure compliance with the principles that are not yet mandatory. Within the framework of Borsa İstanbul (BIST) Sustainability Index Methodology, compliance with the issues regarding management is monitored and actions are taken to take the necessary actions.

a) Management Structure

Albaraka Türk Participation Bank is composed of 11 members including the Board of Directors and the General Manager. Three of the 11 members are members of the Audit Committee and the total number of independent members of the board is 5. Click to get to know our Board members.

The top management team of Albaraka Türk Participation Bank consists of 8 people. Click to get to know the Top Management of our Bank.

b) Remuneration and Benefits Provided to Top Managers

The total amount of remuneration and benefits provided to the top managers of the Bank for the accounting period ended 31.12.2019 is TL 16,429,000.

c) Policy Board Independence

There being no specific internal bylaw of our Bank requiring our Bank's Board of Directors to contain a certain number of independent Board members, our Bank is bound by the Communique on Corporate Governance published by the Capital Markets Board, thus meets the required number of independent board members as indicated in the Communique. Currently, 4 of 11 our Bank's Board members are independent as per the Communiqué. In line with the Communique, on certain subject matters, remarks of independent Board members have specific effect in order for a board of directors to be able to have a resolution on the matter. (Such as Related Party Transactions-Article 9/III of the Communique). Click to get more information.

d) Policy Board Experience

Provisions regarding professional experience and education level of banks' Board members are regulated in the Turkish Banking Code. Our Bank's Board of Directors is totally in compliance with the said provisions. Currently, our Board of Directors consists of 2 members with PhD, 4 members with master’s degree and 4 members with bachelor’s degree, and professional experience of our Bank's Board of Directors averages as 25 years.

The Bank aims to be one of the leading participants in the sector by taking a pioneering role in its fight against climate change in all its operations in its Headquarters and branches. Albaraka Türk, which oversees the sustainable future with its corporate culture and vision, has established our Bank's Environmental Policy within the framework of BIST Sustainability Index and Carbon Transparency Project (CDP) in order to continue to contribute to its stakeholders through all its activities in banking, environment, social and governance fields. It is ensured that necessary actions are taken, managed and reported to be shared with the public regarding the environmental issues determined by the policy.

On the other hand, our Bank does not finance projects that are harmful to the environment, damage waterways and watersheds and have impacts on these regions through the loan provided from the World Bank. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Reports are requested to determine the positive and negative environmental impacts of all projects planned to be financed. The Bank continues its efforts to develop its corporate policy in financing sustainable projects.

Click to access Albaraka Türk Environmental Policy.

Click to access the Albaraka Türk Environmental Management System.

Albaraka Türk strives to operate in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Therefore; 

• It acts in support of the fundamental rights of people such as life, nutrition, housing, travel and work.
• In its approach to its employees, it does not discriminate against language, race, color, gender, political thought, belief, religion, sect, age, physical disability and similar reasons and tries to spread this understanding to society.
• The sense of justice remains at the forefront of its activities.
• Not employing unregistered workers and employing workers within the framework of legal regulations are its fundamental irrevocable rules.
• In its branches in other countries, it gives priority to employ people from the population of that country.
• It proposes a financial model that does not restrict people’s enjoyment of fundamental rights.
• Click to access Albaraka Türk Human Rights Policy.

Within the framework of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, an Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy is established to ensure that Bank personnel including the top management are informed, the necessary compulsory trainings are received, Bank’s internal actions and actions necessary actions for related stakeholders are taken and managed, and reported to be shared with the public.

Click to access Albaraka Türk Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy.

Emergency scenarios are prepared, physical security scenarios are updated, emergency teams are determined and emergency trainings are organized, emergency drills are planned and implemented before the moment of any emergency situation that may occur. It is ensured that relevant correspondence, reporting, necessary information and emergency and contingency activities are coordinated and necessary actions are taken in this regard.

According to the relevant legislation, actions such as reporting on health and safety studies (trainings, business continuity activities, awards to be received from health institutions, in-bank health campaigns etc.) to be shared with the public, and identifying a senior manager responsible for health and safety issues are taken within the framework of the Sustainable Banking Program. In 2021, 12,042 hours of Online Occupational Health and Safety training was provided to 1,742 employees.

Click to access Albaraka Türk Health and Safety Studies.

Doctor, Nurse, Dietitian and Psychologist work in the workplace health centre. Periodic health screenings of disabled employees are carried out every year.

In order to protect its own reputation and assets and stakeholders' assets against extraordinary situations, a business continuity management system is established and continuously improved in line with needs under the leadership of Albaraka Türk's top management in accordance with international ISO 22301 business continuity management system standard, bank strategic targets, BRSA regulations and communiqués.

The adequacy and effectiveness of the system, strategies, plans and organizational structure of business continuity management are reviewed and improved through training, testing, internal and external audit activities.

Environmental and social risks regarding the lending activities are managed within the framework of Banks Association of Turkey Sustainability Guidelines for the Banking Sector and Albaraka Türk Credit Policies and Implementation Procedures. Product improvements are made in line with the sustainable banking target by taking into account the sustainability parameters in other banking products and services. Best practices are taken into account while Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) elements are included in credit processes in entire funding strategy.