Independent Banker - December 2022 - 16

Going Green is Good for Business
EXPERTS
Game-changing industry insights
for community bankers
For community banks, considering Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) impacts
is becoming an increasingly important factor in maintaining a positive reputation within
your community. Put simply, proactively integrating ESG practices lets your community
know that you care.
What is ESG Reporting and how does it relate to risk management?
An ESG report is published by a company or organization in an effort to be transparent
about ESG impacts. While community banks may already be familiar with reporting on
social and governance aspects of their business, they are often less familiar with the
environmental implications of their business decisions and how to report on them.
William M. Isaac
Bill was chairman of the FDIC
during one of the most tumultuous
periods in US banking history
and is one of the foremost
thought leaders in the financial
industry. Today, banks of all sizes
benefit from Bill's regulatory and
strategic guidance through his
global advisory firm, Secura/
Isaac Group (SecuraIsaac.com).
In addition to Secura/Isaac
Group, Bill leads Secura/Isaac
Talent (SecuraIsaacTalent.com)
and Blue SaaS Solutions (www.
BlueSaas.com). He is a member
of the boards of directors of
Emigrant Bank and New York
Private Bank & Trust and serves
as Chairman of Sarasota Private
Trust and Cleveland Private Trust,
all of which are owned by Howard
Milstein and his family.
941-388-0088
Bill.isaac@securaissac.com
When viewing the business through the lens of ESG, additional areas of risk can be
identified and subsequently mitigated. For example, climate change can increase risk in
the credit portfolio as well as corporate and branch operations. It's important to consider
these environmental factors in order to provide stakeholders with a complete and
transparent ESG report.
Incorporating technology into ESG practices is a valuable tool to help banks be the best
possible stewards of human, environmental and capital resources, allowing them to
strengthen the fabric of the communities they serve.
What can your bank do?
One of the first steps that a community bank can take is to conduct a materiality
assessment. This will help everyone within the bank understand what is important to
stakeholders. Additionally, community banks can communicate many of their existing
ESG activities through annual reports to stakeholders. Lastly, every community bank
should have a trusted advisor that understands the banking industry's unique needs.
For example, our firm, Secura/Isaac Group, helps the financial services sector address
challenges brought on by today's rapidly shifting regulatory landscape, including new
risks from emerging areas like cybersecurity, data privacy and technology advancement.
Secura/Isaac provides technology and advisory services to help banks operationalize the
process of ESG data collection and reporting.
With members who have held key senior positions at U.S. State and Federal regulatory
agencies, leading financial and advisory institutions, and top tier software companies,
Secura/Isaac's team has an unparalleled collection of decades of banking experience
and a unique breadth of expertise. The firm is highly respected by industry leaders,
regulatory authorities, and central banks.
Visit bluesaas.com/esg-about/ to learn more or email us at info@bluesaas.com

http://www.SecuraIsaac.com http://www.SecuraIsaacTalent.com http://www.BlueSaas.com http://www.bluesaas.com/esg-about/

Independent Banker - December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - December 2022