Corporate Social Responsibility

HOME ABOUT AYA SUSTAINABILITY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

AYA Bank views Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a fundamental element of our corporate strategies, embodying our dedication to serving society in the best possible manner. We recognize our responsibility towards stakeholders and the public, and we strive to make a meaningful impact by operating in ways that benefit society and the environment.

Being mindful of our actions, we acknowledge the extensive influence we have on various aspects of society, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

In pursuit of achievable and positive long-term goals for our people and the wider community, we have categorized AYA Bank's Corporate Social Responsibility into five key areas:

Healthy Lifestyle

We advocate for and actively promote initiatives that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, supporting the well-being of individuals and communities.

Gender Equality

We are committed to fostering gender equality and ensuring an inclusive and diverse environment within the bank and the communities we serve.

Corporate
Digital Responsibility

Recognizing the significance of the digital age, we embrace responsible digital practices and promote digital literacy to benefit society.

Financial Inclusion

We strive to enhance financial inclusion, empowering individuals, and businesses to access financial services and opportunities.

Community Engagement

We actively engage with communities, investing time and resources to address their specific needs and contribute positively to their development.

By upholding these principles of Corporate Social Responsibility, AYA Bank aims to play a constructive role in creating a better and more sustainable future for all.

Our CSR Approach to Healthy Lifestyle - Health, Happiness, and Harmony

At the core of our success lies the well-being of our people, who serve as the foundation of our achievements. As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment, we strive to create and foster a healthy living environment for both our employees and the broader community, aiming to maximize the benefits of good health.

We firmly believe that cultivating healthy habits can significantly enhance mood, creativity, and productivity. Thus, we actively encourage our employees and the community to adopt and maintain healthy and active lifestyles, reaping the long-term advantages that contribute to overall well-being.

Our approach to promoting well-being encompasses various aspects:

	Emotional Well-Being: We prioritize the emotional well-being of our employees by fostering practices that promote stress management, relaxation techniques, resilience, self-love, and the cultivation of positive emotions.
	Physical Well-Being: We are dedicated to improving the physical well-being of our workforce and the community through the promotion of healthy living habits and regular exercise.
	Workplace Well-Being: We go above and beyond to create a work environment that aligns with the interests, values, and life purpose of our employees, ensuring a sense of meaning, happiness, and professional enrichment.
	Social Well-Being: We place great emphasis on fostering effective communication, meaningful relationships, and strong support networks to combat loneliness and nurture social well-being.
	Societal Well-Being: We actively engage with the community to contribute to its growth and prosperity, promoting a thriving culture and environment.

Through these comprehensive efforts, we aim to build overall well-being that encompasses the harmonious functioning of emotions, body, social networks, life purpose, and community, ultimately creating a healthier, happier, and more vibrant society for everyone involved.

Our CSR Approach to Gender Equality – Careers Have No Genders

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a crucial factor in achieving peaceful and sustainable societies while unlocking the full human potential. At AYA, we firmly believe in treating everyone equally, providing equal opportunities for all to contribute to the organization's and the nation's development. Our commitment to gender equality ensures a harmonious and productive working environment, leading to the creation of peaceful societies.

To promote gender equality within our organization, we have implemented various measures to reduce gender bias during recruitment, selection, and allocation of career development opportunities. Our goal is to ensure equal access to employment and positions of leadership and decision-making at all levels. We have taken steps to enhance accountability and transparency in opportunities provided to both men and women.

Through our unwavering dedication to gender equality, we have achieved a balanced representation of male and female staff across different levels of the organization. At the operational level, we have 46% male and 54% female employees. At the managerial level, the ratio stands at 34% male and 66% female. Furthermore, at the strategic level, we have 65% male and 35% female representation. Overall, our collective workforce comprises 45% male and 55% female members.

We firmly believe that fostering gender equality not only empowers individuals but also enriches the organization's capabilities and contributes to a more equitable and progressive society. As we continue to uphold these principles, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that values and respects the contributions of every individual, regardless of gender.

Corporate Digital Responsibility - Fostering Responsible Digital Transformation

In the era of digitalization, which has revolutionized the way we produce, work, and cooperate, banking institutions like ours must actively contribute to the development of new values and innovative digital solutions to meet the evolving needs of people in the virtual age.

As part of AYA Bank's digital transformation journey, we have embraced both digitalization and digitization processes, integrating cutting-edge technologies throughout the Bank's operations to drive fundamental change. This transformation aims to enhance efficiency, increase business agility, and create new value propositions for our employees, customers, and shareholders. Our corporate social responsibility approach, aligned with our digital transformation, paves the way for new and improved solutions that elevate customer experiences, foster employee innovation, and keep us ahead of the curve.

In this digitally interconnected society, Corporate Digital Responsibility and Digital Ethics are integral concepts guiding our responsible digitization practices. We uphold a set of practices and behaviors that ensure the integrity of our banking business while using data and digital technologies in socially, economically, and environmentally responsible ways.

Our guiding principles are as follows:

	Digital Ethics: While we recognize the advantages of using personal data for innovation in banking services, product development, and marketing, we are steadfast in protecting consumer data, building trust, and advancing our banking business responsibly.
	Digital Stewardship: We take personal data stewardship seriously and align our practices with the expectations of our customers. Our approach to information management is proactive and sustainable.
	Digital Transparency: We prioritize transparency in our use and storage of personal data, ensuring customers have a clear understanding of how their data is utilized.
	Data Empowerment: We empower our customers by granting them greater control over their data. Through data analytics, we assist customers in making well-informed decisions.
	Digital Literacy: We actively educate and support individuals, societies, and communities in using digital banking applications safely and securely.

As we continue this transformative digital journey, AYA Bank remains committed to leveraging technology responsibly and ethically, delivering meaningful and positive impacts for all our stakeholders.

Accelerating Financial Inclusion - Empowering Access to Financial Services

Financial Inclusion is a vital aspect of achieving national economic and social development, as it ensures universal access to a diverse range of financial services at affordable costs. At our core, as a responsible corporate entity, we recognize the significance of extending financial services to those who remain underserved, partnering with financial institutions to make accessible and affordable solutions available to all.

The recent Covid-19 crisis has underscored the urgency to further embrace digital innovations in promoting financial inclusion. Our ongoing efforts focus on deploying cost-effective digital channels to cater to the financially excluded and underserved populations, tailoring services to their specific needs. The advent of mobile banking services has played a transformative role in propelling financial inclusion in Myanmar, facilitating payments and savings through mobile phones, creating substantial progress in this endeavor.

As we embark on our journey towards sustainable growth, we understand the pivotal role financial institutions play in advancing financial inclusion. We aim to take a more direct, personalized, and socially responsible approach to enhance our fundamental role in the following ways:

	Accelerating Digital Payments: We actively promote and facilitate digital payment systems to enable seamless and secure transactions, bridging the gap for those previously excluded from the financial ecosystem.
	Supporting Government Initiatives for MSME Credit: We wholeheartedly support the government's efforts to increase credit supply to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), playing a pivotal role in fostering their growth and contribution to the economy.
	Leveraging Cash Electronic Interfaces: We harness the potential of cash electronic interfaces such as Point of Sale (POS) terminals, ATMs, and mobile cash-in cash-out agents to provide convenient access to financial services, particularly for individuals residing in remote areas.

By prioritizing financial inclusion and embracing digital advancements, we aim to empower individuals and communities with enhanced access to financial services, thus driving sustainable development and commendable outcomes for our country as a whole.

Uniting People, Creating a Brighter Future - Our Commitment to Inclusive CSR

At AYA Bank, we firmly believe in building an inclusive organization that places the well-being of our community at the forefront of our priorities. Consequently, our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities have evolved into a powerful tool to support sustainability and uplift the lives of those we serve. Since our inception, CSR has been an inherent element ingrained in our organizational culture, reflecting our commitment to making a positive impact.

Through community engagement, we empower individuals and communities to take an active role in their own well-being and contribute to decisions that shape community development. We collaborate with local educational institutions, offering financial assistance, continuous learning programs, and flexible working arrangements to support the education and growth of the younger generation.

In the healthcare sector, we work closely with local hospitals, dispensaries, and civil society organizations, regardless of their status, to provide vital healthcare services to the public. Our philanthropic initiatives encompass various areas of need, amplifying our dedication to creating a positive change in society.

Our focus on youth and women footballers reflects our commitment to the holistic development of Myanmar football, creating opportunities for aspiring talents to shine.

Furthermore, we encourage our employees to actively participate in community service initiatives organized by the Bank. From environmental efforts like tree planting to campaigns for safety and health, our team engages in various activities aimed at supporting the community's well-being.

Our CSR activities are predominantly implemented directly or through the Ayeyarwady Foundation, ensuring impactful interventions that address the community's needs. During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, AYA Bank and the Ayeyarwady Foundation took decisive action to combat its impact. Notably, we set up a temporary COVID-Care Hospital with a capacity of over 500 beds and 100 medical staff and volunteers in Thuwanna, Yangon, to provide care for coronavirus-infected patients.

Throughout our CSR journey, we have engaged in socio-economic development activities across sectors such as education, health, environment, disaster response, and microfinance, contributing to the well-being of the community we proudly serve.

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Recent Update

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Donation of Computers at Pan Pyo Latt Philanthropic School to Bridge the Digital Gap

On 3rd August, 2023, with the objective to encourage young people to concentrate on IT skills from their early days, AYA Bank donated thirty desktop computers to Pan Pyo Latt Philanthropic School (Monastery) in Bago Township. We are thrilled to conduct this vital initiative to support digital inclusion as part of our CSR activities.

Recognising the need for computers at schools, AYA Bank grips an opportunity to repurpose the Bank’s resources and make a meaningful difference. With dedicated effort and technology expertise of our IT Department, the computers became available to donate for those in need. The PCs are modern and equipped with Windows 11, making them a valuable asset to the community that will receive them. The donation comes at a critical time, as the school is currently experiencing a shortage of computers.

The donation ceremony for thirty computers and cash one million Kyat (MMK 1,000,000) was held at Pan Pyo Latt, led by Daw Khin Saw Oo, Executive Chairman of AYA Bank and participated by representatives of the Bank.

“Digital literacy is a vital part of education these days. Information technologies change rapidly. On behalf of AYA Bank, it is hoped that these computer sets will be an asset to improve student skills and talent in educational technologies for both primary and high school levels at Pan Pyo Latt. “, said Daw Khin Saw Oo, Executive Chairman of AYA Bank.

“At AYA Bank, we believe that digital inclusion lays the foundation for economic mobility and a more equitable future. Our contribution is a meaningful step toward closing the digital divide for students in the area.”, said U Myint Zaw, Chief Executive Officer of AYA Bank.

With technology becoming increasingly essential for education, communication, and economic development, the impact of these computers on the lives of the people they reach will be profound. Being a socially responsible company, AYA Bank believe in making a positive contribution to the community and looking forward to enhancing the impact on people’s lives.

03 Aug 2023

Compassionate Supports Given to Cyclone Mocha Affected Areas - လက်တွဲကူညီဧရာဝတီ

Our thoughts extend to all those grappling with the devastation wrought by Cyclone Mocha on May 14^th, 2023. Cyclone Mocha, a formidable force with sustained winds of 175 MPH and equivalent to a Category-5 hurricane, struck the Bay of Bengal and made landfall in Myanmar's Rakhine, Chin, Sagaing, and Magway Regions as an immensely severe cyclonic storm. This event underscores the pressing need for rehabilitation aid, prompting AYA Bank to take action by launching initiatives aimed at assisting the affected individuals and reconstructing the afflicted regions.

(1) Concerning Our Employees

Throughout and following the calamity, AYA Bank's foremost priority remains the health, safety, and emotional well-being of our personnel. Swiftly responding to field reports and conducting rapid assessments, the Head Office swiftly organized immediate relief provisions, sanitation and hygiene resources, emergency medical services, and psychosocial support for our employees and their families in Rakhine, an area significantly impacted by Cyclone Mocha. On behalf of AYA Bank, guided by the compassionate leadership of our Senior Management, our People and Administrative Teams took proactive steps to assemble care packages and established their presence at Rakhine branches. They extended financial assistance of (MMK 500,000) to each staff member, provided essential supplies, and offered unwavering moral support. Placing our employees at the forefront, comprehensive safety inspections and maintenance measures were implemented prior to authorizing their return to the office environment. This dedicated and considerate approach in the face of adversity vividly showcases our company's resolute commitment to nurturing the well-being and fortitude of our valued workforce.

(2) Concerning Our Stakeholders

Responding to the significant impact of Cyclone Mocha on the vulnerable regions of Rakhine, AYA Bank has initiated a series of measures aimed at furnishing assistance and relief to the affected communities. These actions are strategically devised to mitigate the financial strain faced by both individuals and enterprises in the aftermath of the cyclone.

Acknowledging the pressing requirement for monetary aid and smooth transactions within the stricken areas of Rakhine state, AYA Bank and AYA Pay have jointly declared the temporary suspension of all transaction fees, encompassing deposits, withdrawals, and transfers, up until the conclusion of June 2023. The objective is to facilitate expeditious and cost-free transactions, thereby empowering affected individuals and businesses, regardless of their scale, to efficiently access and manage financial resources during this critical juncture. The decision to waive transaction fees exemplifies our unwavering solidarity with the communities impacted by the cyclone. Through the elimination of this financial impediment, AYA Bank and AYA Pay aspire to bolster individuals and enterprises in the process of rebuilding their lives, reinstating their livelihoods, and expediting the recovery trajectory. AYA Bank and AYA Pay enthusiastically encourage residents of the affected zones to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the waived transaction fees, availing themselves of these services for their financial dealings. All transactions will be expeditiously processed, guaranteeing a seamless and secure encounter devoid of any supplementary charges.

U Myint Zaw, CEO of AYA Bank, expressed, "Our sympathies extend to those who have suffered the loss of their homes in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha. We empathize with the trials faced by these individuals and extend our deepest condolences during this arduous period. In conjunction with these endeavors, we are proactively formulating comprehensive loan programs to support cyclone-impacted businesses, irrespective of their magnitude." AYA Bank is extending micro loans to local enterprises adversely affected by Cyclone Mocha. These micro loans will serve to assist entrepreneurs and small business proprietors in their efforts to rebuild and recuperate, ultimately nurturing economic stability and resilience within the community.