Sustainability Statement

At The Listening Bank, sustainability means building finance that supports people, communities, and the planet for the long term. We believe money should create wellbeing, not harm, and that every financial decision is a responsibility we hold in trust for future generations.

Our sustainability commitments are built on five pillars:

  1. Sustainable Finance
    We develop products and services that encourage responsible choices — from green loans and impact-driven investments to financial solutions that support small businesses, social enterprises, and community development.
  2. Climate Action
    We are committed to aligning with the global transition to a low-carbon economy. This means reducing our own environmental footprint, supporting clients who adopt sustainable practices, and financing projects in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy initiatives.
  3. Inclusive Growth
    True sustainability is not only environmental but also social. We ensure our work promotes fairness and opportunity — especially for underserved groups such as SMEs, rural communities, and women entrepreneurs.
  4. Listening to the Planet
    Our long-term goal is to be a bank that listens not only to people, but also to the needs of our environment. We measure our impact and adjust our practices to ensure we contribute to lasting ecological wellbeing.
  5. Financial Inclusion for the Unbanked
    Millions of people in our region remain outside the formal banking system. We are committed to designing simple, affordable, and accessible financial tools — such as low-cost savings accounts, microloans, and mobile banking solutions — to bring the unbanked into the financial ecosystem, giving them dignity, security, and opportunity.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Statement – The Listening Bank

At The Listening Bank, CSR is about living our values of listening, fairness, and care in the way we serve society. We believe finance should strengthen communities and restore dignity, not just generate profit.

Our CSR framework is guided by five commitments:

  1. Community Care
    We support local communities through financial literacy programmes, social enterprise partnerships, and affordable financial tools that give people confidence and security.
  2. Empowering People
    We invest in education, youth development, and skills-building initiatives — especially for those who often lack access to opportunities.
  3. Financial Inclusion for the Unbanked
    We are committed to reaching the unbanked and underbanked through education, partnerships, and simple, accessible products. By opening doors to safe savings, credit, and digital banking, we help more people take part in the financial system and improve their quality of life.
  4. Employee Engagement
    We encourage our staff to live out our values through volunteerism, community service, and sustainability projects. Listening to communities begins with listening to our people.
  5. Partnership for Impact
    We collaborate with NGOs, faith-based organisations, and civic groups to address real challenges — from poverty reduction to environmental protection — always with cultural sensitivity and shared purpose.

CSR Programme Ideas – The Listening Bank

1. Community Care – Financial Literacy for Everyday Life

  • Programme Name: Money Made Simple
  • What it is: Free community workshops (offline in villages, temples, community centres, and online via Facebook Live/YouTube) teaching practical skills: budgeting, saving, avoiding debt traps, and using digital banking safely.
  • Impact Goal: Reach 10,000 households within 3 years, focusing on rural and low-income areas.

2. Empowering People – Youth and Women Entrepreneurs

  • Programme Name: Future Builders Fund
  • What it is: Provide micro-grants, mentorship, and business skills training for young entrepreneurs and women-led SMEs.
  • Impact Goal: Support 100 new small businesses a year, with follow-up mentoring from Listening Bank staff and partners.

3. Financial Inclusion for the Unbanked – Access for All

  • Programme Name: Banking for Everyone
  • What it is: Mobile banking vans or pop-up kiosks that go to rural areas and migrant worker communities. On-site account opening with simplified KYC, plus education on digital wallets and safe borrowing.
  • Impact Goal: Bring 50,000 new individuals into the formal banking system within 5 years.

4. Employee Engagement – Listening in Action

  • Programme Name: One Day for Good
  • What it is: Each staff member gets one paid day a year to volunteer in a CSR activity — teaching financial literacy, mentoring young entrepreneurs, tree planting, or working with partner NGOs.
  • Impact Goal: 5,000 volunteer hours annually across all branches.

5. Partnership for Impact – Sustainability Allies

  • Programme Name: Green & Fair Thailand
  • What it is: Partner with NGOs, universities, and local governments to fund reforestation, recycling, and clean energy micro-projects, as well as fair-trade initiatives for small farmers.
  • Impact Goal: Support at least 20 community-led sustainability projects over 3 years.

Optional Signature Programme (Brand Differentiator)

Programme Name: The Listening Forum

  • What it is: Quarterly town-hall style events where clients, community leaders, and NGOs sit with bank representatives to share needs and ideas. The bank commits to action plans from these sessions.
  • Why it matters: It makes listening more than a slogan — it becomes a CSR practice that builds trust and transparency.

Multi-Year CSR Roadmap – The Listening Bank

Year 1 – Foundation & Pilots

  • Money Made Simple (Financial Literacy): Launch pilot workshops in two provinces, plus online sessions in Thai and English.
  • Future Builders Fund (Youth & Women Entrepreneurs): Run first cohort of 20 micro-grants with mentorship.
  • Banking for Everyone (Unbanked): Deploy one mobile banking van pilot in northern Thailand.
  • One Day for Good (Employee Volunteering): Introduce programme with at least 500 volunteer hours.
  • Listening Forum: Hold two small town-hall style community sessions (Bangkok & Chiang Mai).

Goal: Establish proof of concept, gather impact data, and refine programmes.

Year 2–3 – Expansion & Partnerships

  • Money Made Simple: Expand to 6 provinces; introduce school partnerships for youth literacy.
  • Future Builders Fund: Scale to 50 micro-grants annually; invite local SMEs to co-mentor.
  • Banking for Everyone: Add 3 more mobile banking vans and pop-up kiosks in migrant worker communities.
  • One Day for Good: Target 2,000+ volunteer hours with full staff engagement.
  • Sustainability Allies: Launch 5 community reforestation and recycling projects.
  • Listening Forum: Standardise quarterly forums nationwide; publish annual “What We Heard” report.

Goal: Broaden reach nationally, build credibility through partnerships, and show measurable impact.

Year 4–5 – Consolidation & Regional Footprint

  • Money Made Simple: Offer nationwide access, including multilingual modules (Thai, Burmese, Khmer, English).
  • Future Builders Fund: Create a dedicated accelerator hub for 100+ youth and women entrepreneurs annually.
  • Banking for Everyone: Reach 50,000 new account holders from unbanked communities.
  • One Day for Good: Institutionalise into HR; staff KPIs include community service.
  • Sustainability Allies: Partner with ASEAN NGOs to expand green projects beyond Thailand.
  • Listening Forum: Host regional forums (e.g. Thailand, Laos, Cambodia) linking global investors with local communities.

Goal: Position The Listening Bank as a regional leader in inclusive, values-driven CSR and sustainability.

Reporting & Measurement (All Years)

  • Publish annual CSR & Sustainability Report (aligned with ESG standards).
  • Track KPIs:
    • Households trained in financial literacy
    • Number of unbanked brought into formal finance
    • Jobs/businesses supported via Future Builders Fund
    • Volunteer hours contributed
    • Environmental impact (trees planted, waste recycled, CO₂ avoided)