Our commitment
The Bank recognises that its activities have positive and negative, intended or unintended consequences over the short- medium and long term. Responsible impact means that Oxbury will consciously consider and manage the Bank’s activities to amplify positive and minimise negative outcomes across four pillars:
- Planet,
- People,
- Principle and
- Partnerships.
We also acknowledge that long-term sustainability requires that our decisions should balance the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Oxbury’s commitment to a responsible impact on the PLANET is that the Bank will:
- Have a named Senior Manager Function (SMF) holder responsible for the consideration of natural capital who will report to the Board on at least a quarterly basis.
- Offer products designed to support the agricultural sector with the transition to a low-carbon nature-positive economy and as such, will work in alignment with farmers and the National Farmers Union to meet the sector target of net zero by 2040. Progress will be measured and reviewed annually and interim targets may be applied from time-to-time
- Consider its own environmental footprint in its day-to-day operations, its supply chain and the impact on its customers and the wider environment
- Perform an annual risk assessment relating to the direct risks and impact of natural capital on the bank and its stakeholders
- Encourage continuous improvement with regard to environmental management in its suppliers, investors and its customer base where it is able to do so
- Provide suitable training to and encourage its employees to engage with the transition to the low-carbon economy
Oxbury’s commitment to a responsible impact on PEOPLE is that the Bank will:
- Champion and support the economic development of the UK’s crucial agri-food sector and the financial health of the rural economy and encourage its employees, customers and suppliers to engage with their local communities to support this goal
- Remain committed to providing products for the under-served agricultural sector within the financial services sector
- Continue to raise capital from the agri-food sector
- Take into consideration the mental wellbeing of farmers in line with the Vulnerable Customers Policy
- Enter into fair employment contracts and provide fair remuneration with no discrimination to its employees
- Invest in its employees through proper training and the provision of appropriate technological infrastructure to enable them to provide quality products and services to our customers
- Support its own workforce in having a stake in the business, reward good performance, enable personal development, and foster a diverse and positive culture, free from discrimination and ensuring that all staff are treated, and treat others, with dignity and respect
- Have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and implement and enforce effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains
- Recognise where local philanthropic support is appropriate and supports its employees in engaging in giving back to the community in line with the Charitable and Political Giving Policy
- In turn, Oxbury expects that its customer and partners will abide by all applicable human and animal welfare and health and safety standards as well as all relevant human rights and employment legislation.
Oxbury’s commitment to acting with responsible PRINCIPLES is that the Bank will:
- Act lawfully and comply with legislation, industry regulations and prescribed practices ensuring adequate controls are in place.
- Be a responsible lender, protect the assets and deposits in our custody, and act in a fair and reasonable manner to our customers.
- Engage in a transparent and cooperative manner with regulators and continue to adhere to independent accounting and financial standards.
- Encourage a culture of openness and accountability that allows all employees to raise any concerns they may have about the conduct of others in the business or the way in which the business is run without fear of reprisal.
- Ensure that our advertising and other public communication is in line with the applicable legal provisions and accurate without exaggeration, including the provision of appropriate information for customers to make informed decisions.
- Observe legal provisions regarding anti-money laundering and the countering of financing of terrorism; financial crime; bribery and corruption.
- Develop safeguards to collect, store and process personal information in an appropriate and lawful manner without adversely affecting the rights of the original data owners including employees, customers, suppliers and other third parties.
Oxbury recognises that it cannot achieve the above by working in isolation and seeks to always build long term PARTNERSHIPS to achieve the above responsible impact goals.
