Team size: 15

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

It is more often than not, that Credit Institutions encounter periods of instability, given the dynamic nature of the banking business and the direct impact which various economic and geopolitical developments may have on same. It is, therefore, crucial for internal legal advisors to understand the potential legal risks inherent in any such situation, involving scrutinising aspects of operational risks, industry regulations, contractual obligations, data protection measures, together with the continuous adjustments of the organisations policies and practices due to the applicable legal framework’s continuous development and change. Therefore, our legal approach and strategy in aligning with the broader business strategy towards optimising the organisation’s resilience entails a deep dive into the organisation’s day-to-day workings, as part of a continuous review process. This enables us to quickly identify any possible threats related to any legal aspects of the organisation’s business.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

Hellenic Bank’s ESG Strategy is based on four pillars (1. Net zero Bank, 2. Workforce of the future, 3. Resilience and performance, 4. Sustainable ecosystem) and the following targets have been set in order to incorporate these pillars into our business model: be a net zero Bank by 2050; promote diversity & inclusion, along with Employee well-being and ESG awareness; enhance Risk Management frameworks and disclosures, and improve ESG performance; support customers and investors in their green transition and their sustainability goals; and positively impact our community and the environment

There is a number of relevant infrastructure and processes upgrades currently being run by the Bank, including -but not limited to- the Bank’s Climate and Environmental (CE) Risks Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to meet regulatory requirements linked to potential ESG risks, as well as the offering of green products with discounted financing for electric or hybrid cars and energy efficient homes or related upgrades and business green loans to support businesses to achieve their sustainable development goals. The Bank also provides green project financing through the Grow Green initiative by offering expert consultation and guidance to SMEs and larger corporations seeking to integrate ESG principles into their business operations.

Given the complex and diverse nature of the sustainability path, the internal counsel’s role is a critical enabler, as it provides -in collaboration with external experts- ongoing legal guidance on the ever-evolving sustainability framework, advice towards better safeguarding the Bank’s legal risks throughout the sustainability transformation process, as well as continuous legal support with shaping the relevant internal policies and practices.