UniCredit is the first pan-European bank to win a Global EDGE Certification for gender equity and inclusion
- Marking significant progress in gender equity, the banks in Hungary, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Croatia, and Serbia received EDGE Certifications, joining UniCredit’s already certified banks in Italy, Germany and Austria
- EDGE Certification sets the leading global assessment standards for diversity, equity and inclusion in business. UniCredit’s EDGE certification now covers more than 80% of the workforce of the Group, making the bank eligible for Global certification
- UniCredit is the first banking industry organization to hold EDGE Certification in 10 countries and is setting an example for financial institutions worldwide
UniCredit has achieved a significant milestone in becoming the first pan-European bank with Global EDGE Certification for gender equity and inclusion. This was made possible because of the accelerated efforts on diversity and inclusion of banks in Hungary, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Croatia, and Serbia who obtained their EDGE Certifications. They join the already certified banks from the group in Italy, Germany and Austria which are championing gender equity. And now UniCredit is the first bank to hold this Certification in 10 countries in Europe.
As a result of this progress, UniCredit is eligible for the prestigious Global certification.
EDGE Certification is the leading global standard for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), centred on a workplace gender and intersectional equity approach. It offers a holistic framework which organisations are measured against worldwide.
To achieve this certification, UniCredit’s banks underwent a rigorous third-party review of representation across the succession pipeline, pay equity, the effectiveness of policies and practices, and the inclusiveness of the organisation’s culture.
All EDGE-certified UniCredit banks are committed to continue fostering gender equity and inclusion in the workplace, by following dedicated EDGE action plans. The plans are based on the results of their certification process. They include engagements such as guaranteeing representation of women at the middle, upper, and top management levels, creating continuous opportunities for promotion and equal pay, encouraging men to take up the paid paternity leave offered by the bank, which is longer than legally required, and more.
Andrea Orcel, CEO of UniCredit: “UniCredit is setting an example for sustainable business practices in Europe. I am proud that we have become the first banking industry organisation to hold EDGE Certification in 10 countries, and the first pan-European bank with Global certification. Being a champion in gender diversity, equity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture and reinforces our commitment to a clear set of principles and values as a crucial component of our continued business success. The rich diversity within our team creates the inclusive environment needed to provide best-in-class solutions to our growing client base across Europe.”
Aniela Unguresan, Founder of EDGE Certified Foundation, enthusiastically remarked: “UniCredit's achievement in securing global EDGE Certification is a business game-changer. Starting with five of its business entities in 2022 and now expanding to include six more to cover more than 80% of its total workforce, UniCredit demonstrates a deep commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a driver of sustainable success. Their global certification speaks volumes about their trust in EDGE as a voluntary standard and independent certification. It is also a strategic move to leverage a diverse talent pool, setting new benchmarks for an inclusive and equitable workplace for all. By becoming globally EDGE Certified, UniCredit is not just creating a heartwarming narrative; they are pioneering the future of business – diverse, equitable, inclusive, and exceptionally innovative. Congratulations!”
About UniCredit
UniCredit is a pan-European Commercial Bank with a unique service offering in Italy, Germany, Central and Eastern Europe. Our purpose is to empower communities to progress, delivering the best-in-class for all stakeholders, and unlocking the potential of our clients and our people across Europe.
We serve over 15 million customers worldwide. They are at the heart of what we do in all our markets. UniCredit is organized in four core regions and three product factories: Corporate and Individual Solutions, and Group Payment Solutions. This allows us to be close to our clients and use the scale of the entire Group for developing and offering the best products across all our markets.
Digitalization and our commitment to ESG principles are key enablers for our service. They help us deliver excellence to our stakeholders and creating a sustainable future for our clients, our communities, and our people.
About EDGE Empower®
EDGE Empower® is an integrated SaaS-based Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) solution empowering organisations to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, to make meaningful change in the workplace, and to change business and society for the better.
EDGE Empower® combines the power of the latest tech, DE&I expert knowledge and experience, as well as independent verification and certification into one single solution. EDGE Empower is brought to the market by EDGE Strategy LTD, a business founded in 2013 and based in Zug, Switzerland. EDGE Strategy LTD is currently working with more than 200 large organisations in 47 countries across five continents, representing 30 different industries.
Enquiries:
UniCredit Bank Austria Media Relations
Matthias Raftl, Tel.: +43 (0) 5 05 05-52809
E-Mail: matthias.raftl@unicreditgroup.at