Security Bank’s MSCI ESG ‘A’ rating marks a milestone in sustainable banking
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings are now a global standard for measuring how companies manage long-term risks. Among the most trusted benchmarks is the MSCI ESG Rating, used by investors, regulators, and customers to track resilience against issues such as climate change, labor rights, and corporate ethics.
What is an MSCI ESG Rating?
The MSCI ESG Rating measures how prepared a company is to handle ESG challenges. Scores range from AAA for leaders to CCC for laggards. Each company is assessed relative to its peers and judged on both exposure to risks and the ability to manage them.
- Environmental: carbon impact, energy use, and environmental policies
- Social: labor practices, consumer protection, product safety, and community role
- Governance: board independence, shareholder rights, and transparency
A high rating signals effective management and foresight in a fast-changing business climate.
Why Security Bank’s ‘A’ rating stands out
Security Bank (PSE:SECB) recently received an upgrade to an MSCI ESG Rating of ‘A’, the only Philippine bank to hold this score. This places it among top-performing banks in the Asia-Pacific region for ESG practices.
MSCI highlighted several strengths behind the rating:
- Stronger corporate governance with improved board oversight and accountability
- Industry-leading consumer protection with fast complaint resolution and data security
- Advanced cybersecurity standards covering encryption and access controls
- A sustainability framework moderating exposure to environmentally intensive sectors
Security Bank President and CEO Sanjiv Vohra noted, “An MSCI ‘A’ rating is not just a badge. It shows we are managing ESG risks as effectively as the best in the industry.”
Why it matters for customers and investors
For customers, this means stronger systems that protect data, rights, and the environment. For investors, it signals long-term resilience and readiness for regulatory and market shifts.
The rating adds to Security Bank’s sustainability milestones this year. It became the first Philippine bank to join the Alliance for Green Commercial Banks, a global initiative by IFC and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The Bank also partnered with IFC to boost green financing and support renewable energy and climate-resilient projects.
Together, these moves strengthen Security Bank’s role as a forward-looking bank building a sustainable and inclusive economy.
