Ethical Principles
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Our employees:
- are honest and reliable individuals who attach importance to ethical and moral values, and do not compromise these values under any circumstance,
- comply with laws and regulations in general, and with the bank's codes and principles internally, in a comprehensive manner,
- know that the most important part of each transaction is its compliance to the applicable rules and regulations,
- fulfill their duties at their respective branches, units, or departments in a disciplined, cautious, and devoted manner for the benefit of the bank, and comply with the principles of objectivity, confidentiality, and privacy required for their duties,
- fulfill their duties with the best of their knowledge, in order to increase the profitability and the market share of the bank and sustain the superiority of the bank over its competitors,
- represent the bank with a mature, modest and positive attitude both during and outside working hours, avoid behaviors which may harm the prestige and the image of the bank, and act with responsibility of being respected bank employees,
- adapt a manner of speaking, attitude, and attire that is consistent with their positions, which is reasonable and temperate at all times,
- make a positive impact on people within and outside the bank by acting in a respectful, moderate, modest and positive manner in their relationships,
- are aware of the importance of their relationship with their customers as well as between their superiors and subordinates,
- are equipped with knowledge and experience required for their fields of specialty. They display continuous efforts to enhance their common sense, professional knowledge and skills. They fulfill their responsibilities in the best manner via these skills and values,
- work in an orderly, planned, and disciplined manner. They aim to perform their duties in a timely and error-free manner,
- are open to different ideas and opinions, and try to make the soundest decisions for the benefit of the bank,
- try to find efficient, realistic, and feasible solutions to the problems they encounter during operations using their logic and reasoning skills,
- avoid religious, political, and ethnical disputes. They treat everybody, within or outside the bank in a fair, impartial, and objective manner,
- avoid all kinds of illegal activities, and do not attempt to gamble and play bets, which is hardly suitable for a bank's employee,
- distant themselves from alcohol and similar bad habits. They know that it is strictly forbidden to drink or be under the influence of alcoholic drinks during working hours.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
1.1. Employment of Bank Resources
Our employees:
- use the bank's resources, tools & equipment, and office supplies in an efficient, productive, and economic manner while fulfilling their duties,
- consider the benefit of the bank with respect to expenses and investments, and comply with the cost-benefit implications and economic principles at all times,
- enjoy their rights and social and other benefits in accordance with the applicable procedures and general principles,
- do not install unlicensed software into office computers, nor use or copy unauthorized programs,
- use their access to the Internet and their electronic mail addresses assigned to them solely for business purposes, and do not visit websites other than those related to banking, finance, economy, and etc.,
- know that all the supplies of the bank should be used solely for banking transactions, and not for personal needs.
1.2. Activities not related to the Bank
Our employees:
- do not get involved in any commercial, industrial or other similar activities, which are not related to the bank, and fully dedicate their labor and time to the bank,
- know that it is possible only upon the prior permission of the board of directors of the bank to work for any other group company, or in any other organisation,
- may participate in professional entities such as chambers of commerce and stock exchanges, or other non-profit organisations, but may in no event use the name and the resources of, or their duties at, the bank,
- may not request donation and goodwill from customers or other employees for foundations or other charity organisations,
- may not offer their services as an advisor or consultant, based on their professional background without prior permission of the top management of the bank;
- transfer the requests to the authorized units or persons of the bank, should they receive a request for an interview from press, TV stations, or various media organisations,
- receive prior permission of the top management of the bank before voicing any opinions or comments on the media and on the Internet even for personal subjects which do not mention, or are not related to the bank,
- do not print any newspapers or periodicals including those published on the Internet on behalf of themselves,
- do not become a member of, nor establish any kind of relationship with any political party, and avoid any situation which may be perceived as a material or immaterial support for political parties.
1.3. Confidentiality
Our employees:
- do not share any information or documentation, which they obtain during the course of their duties, with unauthorised persons and bodies within and outside the bank,
- do not share the personal and financial information of their customers, even if they leave the bank for any reason whatsoever,
- know that projects, proposals and bylaws, which were developed as part of their duties are the property of the bank, and do not take them outside the bank while on duty, or leaving the bank,
- do not discuss issues regarding their duties while not on duty, and avoid situations which may give rise to speculations or negative opinions,
- do not share their individual privileges and rights, which must be known only by themselves within and outside the bank, and avoid open criticism involving general policies of the bank.
1.4. Personal Transactions
Our employees:
- prefer their personal investments to be of medium and/or long-term nature, and are not involved in speculative deals,
- pay attention to the fact that their expenses are reasonable with regards to their incomes, and do not obtain loans in exuberance,
- who work as cashiers, direct their personal or related cash transactions such as collections, payments etc. to other employees while on duty;
- are careful not to delay their duties while handling personal transactions and following their investments.
1.5. Conflict of Interests
Our employees:
- may not purchase any good or property that the bank disposes of, individually or by means of a relative,
- are careful to consider the benefit of the bank, and avoid acts or transactions which may be conceived to derive a benefit for themselves or their relatives,
- do not establish any relationships with customers, which may be perceived to be based on benefit, and do not accept any gifts except for those with no or little value,
- avoid exchange of goods and services with, or seeking employment for their relatives from persons and organisations, which have a business relationship with the bank using their duties and influences,
- do not perform any banking transactions for, open joint accounts or establish surety relationships with customers except for first degree relatives,
- do not lend or borrow money to and from customers, and avoid such relationships even with their colleagues.
RELATIONSHIPS
2.1. Internal Relations
Our employees:
- keep common working areas clean and tidy, and pay attention to not disturbing others while on duty,
- are careful about the working hours and punctual at coming and going to work,
- inform their colleagues and seek permission of their superiors if they have to leave their places of duty during working hours,
- are willing to share their knowledge and experience concerning their areas of specialty with other employees of the bank,
- support professional development of employees who are new, or have lesser experience than themselves,
- do not impose their personal issues or businesses, which is not related to their duties, authorities, and responsibilities on any other employees,
- avoid any transactions which may expose the bank to actual or potential risks, and warn their subordinates not to attempt such transactions,
- inform the practice to higher management immediately, should they receive pressure from their superiors to perform an illegal transaction which may put the bank under risk.
2.2. Customer Relations
Our employees:
- are aware that one of the most important elements of achieving superiority over the competition is to render the best available service to customers,
- inform authorized persons or units, should any matter, transaction, or request does not fall within the scope of their authorities or responsibilities,
- pay special attention to customer complaints, and attempt to solve these complaints in accordance with general principles and methods of the bank, and take measures in order to prevent repetition thereof,
- collect interest, commissions or fees for each transaction performed and each service rendered, as per methods and general announcements of the bank, and immediately enter each collection to records without being bound by any reason or condition,
- do not perform any transactions or actions, which must be personally performed by customers themselves, even through obtaining proxy of the customer, and perform each transaction with the clear and net instructions of the customer.
2.3. Relationships with internal and independent auditors
Our employees:
- Assist internal or independent auditors in order for them to perform their duties in an efficient manner at their respective branches, units, or departments,
- Know that it is normal and acceptable for some employees to work overtime in order to complete the task in the shortest time and with accuracy, should conditions become harder, or it is required at the units which are being audited,
- Arrange their annual vacations and possible administrative off days as per opinion and approval of the auditor in order to prevent any delay in audit-related works during an audit,
- Unconditionally provide internal and independent auditors with the requested information and documentation. Keep a record evidencing the nature and status of information and documentation, should such information and documentation is needed to be taken out of the bank temporarily by auditors.
2.4. Relationships with professional organisations and other banks
Our employees:
- exchange accurate, complete and clear information with professional organisations and other banks provided that they may not breach any secrets of customers or the bank,
- do not give any positive or negative feedback, or comment about competitors or services rendered by them while fulfilling their duties,
- reinforce the trust in the banking sector, heed the development of the economy, and avoid actions which may give rise to unfair competition while fulfilling their duties.
Ethical Principles