Competitive environment and bank development

Abstract

Purpose Right up to the moment, the financial sector has been considered a clean and a neutral sector, as far as social and environmental impact concerns. The purpose of this paper is to determine the attitude of Spanish credit institutions to the sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach Delphi methodology was used to test the viability and validity of the questionnaire and to choose the best systematic way of communication. The research to understand society and environment focussed on investments was conducted using a survey completed by 57 Spanish credit institutions. Various types of statistical analyses were performed to assess the questionnaire. Findings The higher the entities’ investment is in environmental projects, the more sensitive they will be about social responsibilities issues. However, the higher the percentage invested in funding to communities or dejected regions and in cultural projects. Research limitations/implications To know, measure and evaluate the activities of a credit institution in the environment, it is necessary to define indicators for the policies, procedures and management practices adequate for the sector. Practical implications Credit Spanish Institutions sector organizations are responding positively to sustainable development and, in the process, enhancing stakeholder value. Social implications In various practices of credit institutions, implementing a preventive environmental approach or undertaking initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibilities – along with the possibility to allocate funds for certain projects – environmental conditions are also considered. Originality/value To develop good environmental practices in credit institutions, they apply the principles of sustainability and identify and quantify the environmental risk in the normal internal process of risk assessment.