Sustainability at OVB

The economy as a whole faces the major challenge of managing the transition to a carbon-neutral future. Social aspects and governance issues are becoming increasingly important and are central components of a comprehensive understanding of sustainability.

OVB is increasingly aligning its core business with these aspects and has defined sustainability as an integral part of its overarching corporate strategy, "OVB Excellence 2027". OVB is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

OVB reports on its sustainability activities annually in a separate non-financial group report.

How OVB implements sustainabilitySustainability Roadmap

ESG stands for Environment (E), Social (S) and Governance (G). It refers to the question of whether and how environmental and social aspects, as well as the style of corporate governance, are considered or evaluated during decision-making.

Across the three dimensions of sustainability (ESG), OVB focuses on the following aspects:

Sustainable products

In collaboration with product partners, OVB is gradually expanding the range of "green" financial products within its own portfolio. The aim is to increasingly align financial flows in Europe with climate compatibility and to use them as leverage to finance the necessary ecological transformation.

Sustainability is an integral part of customer advice. Accordingly, OVB promotes the development of sustainability expertise among its financial intermediaries.

Consultant and customer sitting together

Clients, financial advisor and employee interests

People's needs are at the heart of everything. This applies to the company's employees as well as—along the value chain—to financial intermediaries and customers.

OVB offers a wide range of training and development opportunities for employees and financial intermediaries, as well as ongoing digitisation in customer service. The services provided help people to develop an awareness of their own finances. With its range of financial products, OVB helps to keep the important issues of protection and provision in focus, especially in times of crisis.

Responsible corporate governance and compliance

OVB is committed to the values of reliability, fairness, openness and transparency towards customers, financial intermediaries, employees, as well as business partners and shareholders.

As a participant in the capital market, OVB is obliged to consistently counteract corruption and bribery. The guidelines for the ethical business conduct of all parties involved on OVB's behalf are set out in the Code of Conduct. Furthermore, OVB systematically embeds sustainability into its corporate thinking and actions in order to fulfil its responsibility in areas such as resource conservation.

Our Code of Conduct

To ensure that we always act in accordance with our ground rules at OVB, these are set out in our Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct provides a guide and a focus for all our employees and financial advisors. Our aim is to promote honest conduct and action based on ethical considerations and goals.

The Code of Conduct

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United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

As part of Agenda 2030, the global community set 17 global targets for sustainable development. Action areas include an increased commitment to peace and the rule of law, combating corruption, education for all and protecting our climate. OVB expressly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

More information on how we are helping to achieve the individual SDGs can be found in our future sustainability reporting.

Report on our sustainability work

As part of our reporting, in the past we have published a separate non-financial Group report each year. This also provides extensive information on our sustainability efforts.

You can find all separate non-financial Group reports here:

OVB's strategy

Our new “OVB Excellence 2027” corporate strategy demonstrates our future viability. It covers the focus topics of “Sales and Career Excellence”, “Expansion and Innovation”, “Operational Excellence” and “People and Organisation”. We are also committed to our responsibility as a business to promote sustainable economic, social and environmental development as part of our corporate culture.

More about OVB's strategy

Wide-ranging engagement

At OVB, we are proud to support people in need with our international social engagement and through the dedication and tireless efforts of our financial advisors and employees. Through our relief organisations at various OVB sales subsidiaries, regional initiatives and many international projects, we can help wherever help is needed. Our focus is on people and so we work together to help and take responsibility for each other.

More about OVB's engagement

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