Key activity themes for Sustainability management

Hokuhoku Financial Group works positively on activities corresponding to issues based on ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) required for the sustainable growth of the company and the SDGs (sustainable development goals) advocated by the United Nations, and established Key CSR Activity Themes on April 1, 2019 to aim for the sustainable development of the company group, regional economy and regional society.

Hokuhoku Financial Group’s key activity themes

Management philosophy Prospering together with the region

Realization of
sustainable
community

Contribute to responsible investment and financing as a regional financial institution by promoting constructive dialogue based on issues including SDGs and ESG, stable job creation by actively supporting startup companies and growth companies in the region, and the realization of sustainable local communities by promoting collaboration with local governments and customers

Strive to reduce environmental burden, including promoting the use of renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Improving financial literacy
in the region

Work to improve the financial literacy of customers and children through financial and economic education and financial consulting, and support asset formation and smooth business and asset succession for the future

Management philosophy Fair and steady management

Building a sound and resilient management foundation

Enhance transparency by promoting dialogue with stakeholders, build a stronger management base by enhancing governance, thoroughly managing various risks, and further strengthening compliance

Management philosophy Progressive and innovative services

Improving convenience for all customers

Strive to further improve convenience by providing advanced financial products and services that all customers can easily access and use with peace of mind

Ensuring good work
environment leading
to better productivity

Work to create rewarding and fulfilling workplaces by promoting the active participation of diverse personnel, promoting work style reform including a balance between work and childcare/nursing care, and developing personnel who will lead the group in the future

Key theme identification process

Collection of issues

We extracted 150 issues with reference to the Japanese Bankers Association SDGs promotion policy, the UN SDGs, the GRI guidelines (standard), SASB sector-specific guidelines, the evaluation items of external ESG evaluation institutions, and the status of other banks.
Arrangement in accordance
with degree of importance

Based on the results of collection, we extracted 36 items. In addition, we arranged these in an order of priority in accordance with their degree of importance from the perspectives of the degree of impact on regional society and the degree of impact on the corporate value of the company group.
Final arrangement

We organized 24 items into five themes based on the results of prioritization, and identified these as the key themes.
Reporting to company group management and approval

The company group's Management Committee and Board of Directors approved the key themes to be worked on as the Hokuhoku Financial Group.

Prioritization in accordance with degree of importance

Final arrangement

Management philosophy	Key issue	Key themes
Prospering together with the region	Regional economic revitalization	Realization of sustainable community
	Promotion of responsible finance
	Promotion of environmental business
	Support for growth fields
	Support for business start-ups
	Creation of employment
	Promotion of various collaboration
	Reduction of environmental burden
	Promotion of financial and economic education	Improving financial literacy in the region
	Promotion of asset formation
	Business and asset succession
Fair and steady management	Advancement of governance	Building a sound and resilient management foundation
	Building of a robust compliance posture
	Promotion of initiatives for the prevention of financial crime
	Implementation of fair transactions
	Thorough implementation of management of customer information, etc.
	Promotion of dialogue with stakeholders
Progressive and innovative services	Provision of advanced financial services	Improving convenience for all customers
	Improvement of access to financial services
	Safety of goods and services
	Improvement of customer satisfaction
	Promotion of diversity	Ensuring good work environment leading to better productivity
	Promotion of work-life balance
	Human resource development

Sustainability