CaixaBank, world's best bank in gender equality according to Bloomberg's international index

CaixaBank has obtained the highest score in the world in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index 2021, a selection of the companies most committed to gender equality on an international level, according to Bloomberg data.

For the first time, the entity chaired by Jordi Gual and directed by Gonzalo Gortázar has become the absolute leader of the GEI (Gender Equality Index), which places it, according to Bloomberg's assessment, as the best company in the world in terms of gender equality.

For Gonzalo Gortázar, CEO of CaixaBank, obtaining the highest score in this global benchmark index "is recognition of our commitment to equality and diversity, which are an essential part of CaixaBank's culture". He adds that "we will continue to work with the commitment to be a benchmark, fostering inclusion and participation with equitable measures and promoting projects that promote equality in all areas of society. This commitment is a challenge that we face with enthusiasm, effort and continuous learning".

The index particularly valued CaixaBank's internal and external initiatives to promote gender equality, family reconciliation measures, the percentage of women promoted and CaixaBank's action plan to promote female leadership, among others.

The GEI is considered the benchmark index for gender equality and measures gender equality in companies around the world through five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment prevention policies and pro-women branding.

For the 2021 edition, 380 companies from 11 different industries and 44 countries, representing a combined market capitalisation of more than $14 trillion, have been selected to be part of the index.

Through the disclosure of gender-related metrics using the GEI framework, companies included in this index commit to providing a comprehensive view of their investment in gender equality in the workplace and the communities in which they operate, raising the bar on what should be expected from other companies in the same sector. 

Diversity, meritocracy, equal opportunities and recognition of talent are some of the pillars of CaixaBank's corporate culture. Under these premises, CaixaBank is committed to being a benchmark for its employees, fostering inclusion and participation and promoting projects that promote equality both in the company and in society as a whole.

In fact, CaixaBank has 41.6% of women in management positions, with a public commitment to reach 43% by 2021, and 42.8% of women on the Board of Directors, one of the highest percentages in the sector.

CaixaBank has a diversity programme called Wengage, a transversal project developed by people from all areas of the bank based on meritocracy and equal opportunity promotion, which works to promote and visualise gender, functional and generational diversity. Wengage includes internal measures to promote flexibility and conciliation, to make diversity visible and to reinforce the role of women, with training programmes and female mentoring plans, through which female managers advise other professionals in the development of their professional careers.  In addition, it also develops external initiatives for customers and society, based on promoting diversity and equal opportunities in 3 areas of action: leadership and entrepreneurship, innovation and education, and sport.

Since January 2020, CaixaBank has also had an Equality Plan in place to promote the principles of equal opportunities and diversity in work teams, boost the presence of women in management positions and reinforce measures to reconcile personal and professional life. It includes, for example, a gender perspective in management development programmes and in selection and training processes, and promotes teleworking and flexibility.

Thanks to this commitment, CaixaBank has also received distinctions such as the Distinction for Equality in the Company (DIE), managed by the Women's Institute, and has been recognised by the Másfamilia Foundation with the EFR Certification (Family-Responsible Company). It has received several awards, such as the 25th Anniversary Award from FEDEPE (Spanish Federation of Women Managers, Executives, Professionals and Businesswomen). It is also included in the EWoB Gender Diversity Index, and in 2020, the Diversity Foundation awarded CaixaBank the distinction for best practice by a large company for its Wengage diversity programme. In 2020, CaixaBank Asset Management was recognised as "European Leader in Diversity (category 20-50 managers)" by Citywire magazine.

CaixaBank is a member of the international Target Gender Equality programme and the United Nations' Women's Empowerment Principles; the Voluntary Agreement with the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality More women, better companies for greater representation of women in management positions; and the Diversity Charter, to promote equal opportunities and anti-discrimination measures.