ArmInfo.The first international Banking Forum 2024, organized by the Union of Banks of Armenia, took place in Yerevan. The forum aimed to bring together regional and European organizations to discuss the current challenges in the banking sector, exchange views on issues related to integration with European financial markets, and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.
The event was attended by representatives of commercial banks, the government of Armenia, the Central Bank of Armenia, international financial organizations, and the banking sector of Georgia.
During the forum, topics such as compliance risk, access to correspondent accounts and capital markets, as well as the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) standards, were discussed. Ardshinbank was represented by the Banks’ Board member Alexander von Gleich. In his speech, he highlighted the initiatives aimed at integrating these standards into Ardshinbank’s culture.
"ESG is playing an increasingly important role in the management of banks. While it was previously one of many important regulatory and compliance functions, it is now part of the business model at Ardshinbank: green loans, green bonds, energy efficiency, waste management and much more. Ardshinbank is also the pioneer in the Armenian market in this area. And even more: Ardshinbank was the first bank in Armenia to install ECB-certified software, Climcycle, with which we can already measure and manage ESG performance in accordance with the much stricter European requirements." noted Alexander von Gleich.
It’s important to note that Ardshinbank is the leading Bank in Armenia with a diversified universal banking offering including retail and commercial banking, investment banking, and private & wealth solutions.
The Bank has over 385,000 customers served by 1,700+ employees, a strong omnichannel distribution platform with 65 branches, supported by a comprehensive mobile and online banking platform. The bank possesses the largest branch network in the country and maintains a representative office in Paris, France.
Ardshinbank is the only private entity in Armenia with assigned ratings from three international rating agencies, all at the level of the sovereign, as follows: S&P Global Ratings (BB- (Stable)), Moody’s (Ba3 (Stable)) and Fitch (BB- (Stable)). The bank is also the only non-sovereign entity from Armenia which has issued RegS /144A public Eurobonds in international capital markets.
Ardshinbank is committed to invest in the alternative energy sector, further advancing the bank’s journey towards green banking. The bank’s operational framework is anchored on social and environmental responsibility, coupled with strong corporate governance․