It is important to understand which issues and drivers are priorities for the bank’s customers and stakeholders when they make their choices, as well as which areas are considered most important for the bank to contribute to society’s sustainable development.

To track this, the bank continuously interacts with stakeholders during the year through stakeholder dialogues – both qualitative and quantitative. Customer, brand and opinion surveys, as well as trade forums where current issues and trends are brought up, are examples. Swedbank also performs a materiality analysis to identify the issues most relevant to stakeholders and the bank’s own business. These analyses are performed every few years, to gain insight on trends, business risks and opportunities that affect the bank’s ability to create long-term value, which provides an opportunity to prioritise areas that both internal and external stakeholders expect the bank to focus on.

Method

The first step in doing the most recent analysis was to identify material areas through a comprehensive evaluation based on the bank’s previously selected areas and the most pertinent topics for the financial sector. This analysis was used in formulating a survey that was sent to key employees representing various business areas and staff functions with a good understanding of Swedbank’s stakeholders. The results then served as the basis of a second survey, which was sent to external stakeholders. The material topics were revised, some were removed, and consolidated to include 11 areas that were considered important for developing Swedbank from a sustainability perspective. The topics covered everything from economic stability to secure IT systems, climate impacts, societal engagement and gender equality. Responses were received from private customers, corporate customers, employees, social partners (e.g. authorities and interest groups) and owners/investors. The materiality analysis was conducted in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Results

A clear pattern emerged in how various areas were ranked by stakeholders, regardless of stakeholder group and market. The highest rankings were for the areas that are cornerstones of the bank’s operations, while more product-oriented and thematically oriented areas ranked lower. At the same time, all the topics were considered important, with a lowest average score of 7.4 (on a scale of 1–10).

Areas such as financial stability, stable IT systems with high security and resilience, business ethics and performance are among Swedbank’s main success factors, according to stakeholders. Shortcomings in any of these areas can impact the bank’s reputation and opportunities to create long-term value for stakeholders. These areas are categorised as key parameters and provide a platform for the bank as a company.

Other more product-related areas, such as sustainable investments and sustainable finance, are also considered important areas where Swedbank can have a positive impact on society from an environmental, social, economic and ethical perspective.

The results of the materiality analysis are then reflected in Swedbank’s strategic business decisions and activity planning and provide a basis for sustainability reporting in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).