Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
Citibank values long-term commitment to social responsibility
Citibank Korea CEO Park Jin-hei, sixth from left, smiles with bank officials and students from KyungHee University, after a volunteer work at a park in Mapo, Seoul, Jan. 18. Courtesy of Citibank Korea
By Lee Kyung-min
By Lee Kyung-min
Citibank Korea is continuing efforts to put more priority on social responsibility as part of its plan to become a financial entity that values “giving back to the community” as much as profit generation.
Under the objectives of “employee participation, long-term commitment and leading activity,” the bank has organized various programs that engage corporate entities and those in need of their help based on projects that require constant interaction among parties involved.
Bank workers are encouraged to participate in the program in the form of “talent donation,” a mentoring program whereby participants can have honest discussions not only on job seeking efforts but also on a broad range of personal issues.
This is an expansion of a talent nurturing program of its employees who undergo continued training and education programs which help them shape a value of social responsibility, leadership and empathy toward those less fortunate.
Among the program organized by the bank include “Think Money,” under which about 520,000 students have learned about the basics of finance since its launch in 2006.
Similarly, over 1,200 students have learned that basics of how non-governmental organizations work through a program entitled “Citi-KyungHee Univ. NGO Internship.”
Some 2,500 students have completed the training program “Ewha-Citi Global Finance Academy,” the bank's joint project launched in 2001 to increase cooperation between educational institutions and corporate entities.
Since 2017 the bank has been expanding programs to nurture social ventures and firms whose business model values corporate social responsibility.
In cooperation with “Social Solidarity Bank,” the bank has been running a program through which it makes recommendations to help create an environment that can support budding firms map out long-term business plans.
Consultations are provided with experts in related field of business who can speak and share their years of experiences. The program enables the speakers and attendees to maintain continued networking through regular meetings thereafter.
The bank also helps organize pro-bono programs, job fairs and consultations which help students with interests in certain fields to gain hands-on experience.
“We deem the program significant because it is not only about giving money in the form of donations. We deeply care about how we can actually be of help to those seeking experience that really matters,” a Citibank official said.