KBank Private Banking (KPB) headquartered in Thailand won the Best Bank for Sustainability and ESG leadership at the Private Banker International (PBI) Global Wealth Awards 2022, held on 6 October, for its use of webinars and social media tools to support charities advancement and knowledge transfers, and for its work aiding client’s long-term growth needs and education. Its ‘Perfect Wealth’ philosophy seeks to embed growth and happiness with the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda by following 3S Strategies comprising of the: (i) S-curve; (ii) sustainability; and (iii) sharing.
In regard to business performance the S-curve theory states that a company sustains slow growth at first; followed by rapid growth in phase two, when it is good to be an investor, then during phase three declining growth is evident that hopefully still plateaus at a high level, guaranteeing consistent sustainable returns during the final phase of the firm’s growth cycle, thereby creating an S shaped graph.
(i) KBank Private Banking (KPB) wants to be at the start of the S curve as early as possible on behalf of its client base consisting of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) with more than US$1.5 million of Assets under Management (AuM) lodged with the bank, while also supporting the change towards sustainable business cycles.
(ii) Its sustainability credentials were demonstrated by the recent launch of its K Sustainable Long-Short Fund Not for Retail Investors (K-SUSTAIN-UI) that focuses on sustainable investing to boost the potential for stable long-term returns for its clients. A number of virtual webinars, created with the support of Lombard Odier, also align with its sustainability strategy, such as:
Sustainability revolution: a call for action – World-renowned stop climate change advocate, Al Gore, was the main speaker at this event, which was livestreamed online and amplified by the bank’s social media channels, attracting hundreds of clients.
The Race to Net Zero: A Sprint or A Marathon? – Keeping the momentum, another virtual event with Lombard Odier was held in September 2021 with former UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, sharing his knowledge about the global drive to achieve net-zero emissions to mitigate climate change. KBank Private Banking (KPB) broadcast the event via its online and social media platforms, as did its partner, reaching clients in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Regular online seminars are held by KBank Private Banking (KPB) to equip customers with essential and interesting knowledge in order to keep them abreast of the present investment climate and of ways to adjust their portfolios appropriately. The ‘New Ways to Invest in Sustainability Megatrend’ seminar was particularly noteworthy.
(iii) Sharing is a philosophy that KBank Private Banking (KPB) has adopted enthusiastically and supported via a series of virtual seminars aimed at educating invited charities in Thailand about the best methodologies to follow in order to optimally manage their assets and organizations. After all, the more efficient and organised a charity is the better it can pursue its mission.
The events connected experts and well-known speakers with participants to encouraging the sharing of ideas, experiences, and inspirations. An example online webinar from last year was entitled ‘Guidelines for Sustainable Asset Management for Public Charitable Organizations in the Present Circumstances’. It outlined the role good asset management can play in making a sustainable contribution to society.
A fundraising night was also recently held for good causes entitled ‘Perfect Wealth, Perfect Night’. Clients have additionally been encouraged to support specific charities highlighted on KBank Private Banking (KPB)’s social media. Short clips outlining the need are presented with a QR code to make donating easier.
The bank works with a well-known electronic e-donation platform to facilitate client and general donations and highlight worthy charities. The platform also offers tax-deduction documents, certificate, payment mechanisms and other supporting material all in one easy-to-access place.