Citibank enhances CSR activities

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Citibank has brought about meaningful changes in society through its various corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

Under its three social contribution principles of “Employee participation,” “Long-term commitment” and “Leading activity,” the bank said it has not just donated money but also conducted various long-term activities through partnerships with government agencies.

Citibank employees have also participated in the programs and donated their talents to help the needy.

The lender has financially helped young students from low-income families through its scholarship program, “Think Money,” since 2006. More than 500,000 students have benefitted from the program.

It has carried out a non-governmental organization (NGO) internship program jointly with Kyung Hee University since 2006 to foster social leaders. Over 1,100 students have experienced NGO activities through the program.

Citibank has also been operating the Ewha-Citi Global Finance Academy program with Ewha Womans University since 2001.

Separate from its social contribution in education, Citibank introduced the Korea Social Enterprise Awards in 2017 to financially help the nation's social enterprises.

From the second half of 2018, the lender has started supporting social ventures under a partnership with Social Solidarity Bank, an NGO micro-credit institute established to help those who are running or planning to start a micro enterprise.

Under its social venture supporting program, Citibank is seeking to study the social values they create while introducing a new program to improve their capabilities.

To this end, Citibank is set to conduct a job conference designed for social ventures which experience difficulties in hiring people. In a bid to help the mission, Citibank's executives will also participate in the event.

Citibank was also the first firm in Korea to ink a partnership with Habitat For Humanity Korea in 1998 to have since built houses for homeless people.

“Citibank will continue its CSR activities to help those in need to bring about meaningful changes for the society,” said a Citibank official.