Companies in Kenya are becoming increasingly aware of their need to commit to sustainable business practices. With corporate strategy shifting globally, businesses are not only considering the financial bottom line but are adopting what is known as the 'Triple Bottom Line' strategy. This considers people in terms of human capital and the community, the planet through sustainable environmental practices and profit in terms of creating a lasting impact in the economy. Imperial Bank has always had a well articulated and vibrant Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy. The key thematic areas of the bank's CSR policy include promoting education, improving the livelihood of disadvantaged children and creating sustainable partnerships for community development.

Imperial Bank's Snr. Officer Communications & PR, Doreen Theuri smiles as she hands over a television to student from Merc High school in Matuu - Yata. Imperial Bank donated variety of furniture ranging from cabinets, chairs, tables worth over Shs 200,000 to the Merc High school.

Promoting education
Imperial Bank's CSR policy focuses on supporting schools to provide learning opportunities for children with special needs. For the last three years, the bank has paid fees for 20 bright but needy students at MERC High School in Matuu. In the last KCSE examinations, 5 of these students passed with A's while the rest had a B score. The bank has also contributed over two million shillings to support school feeding programmes in Ndula and Kililmambogo primary schools. It has equipped Sunrise Africa schools in Kitengela and Nairobi with furniture and office equipment as well as paid school fees for their bright students.

Ms. Manju Mohamedbhai (left), Imperial Bank's Mombasa branch Retail Manager receives a cheque worth Shs 50,000 from Mr. Mohamed Hersi, Sarova Hotels and Game lodges Regional Manager; looking on is Mr. Samson Ayumba Whitesands Hotel Front Office Manager. This donation will go towards Imperial Banks 'key in your donation' campaign in support of UNICEF's Child Alive

Other partnerships
Imperial Bank shares its expertise, financial and human resources to support community initiatives. It endeavors to work in partnership with community groups, civil society organizations, NGOs and other companies whose goals are consistent with the bank's CSR focus areas. To this end, the bank partnered with the American Women's Association to empower low income-earners by introducing a savings account for them. The bank has partnered with the Lions clubs in a number of projects in Mombasa and Malindi including the annual free plastic and reconstructive surgery camp at the Malindi District hospital.

Improving the livelihood of disadvantaged children
Imperial Bank is concerned about future generations and is committed to improving the livelihood of disadvantaged children. The bank has therefore supported street children rehabilitation centers such as the Eldoret Rescue Centre, the Street Children's Assistance Network in Nakuru and the Imani Children's home in Nairobi. It also supports children's homes such as Kipchoge Keino's Lewa Children's home and the Hi-Jung Oh Children's home in Nairobi.

Partnership with UNICEF
CSR in Imperial Bank is recognized as an integral part of the overall corporate strategy. The bank's CSR policy is in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Kenya's development plans. Three of the MDGs include reducing maternal mortality; child mortality and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Kenya needs to improve maternal health andreduce the number of children who die before they reach five years of age. 500,000 women die each year due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth while about 4 million newborns die within the first 28 days of life.

Imperial Bank's Thika Branch Manager Mr. Samson Njuguna assists Chania Girls High School Students Lilly Cynthia Lewis Form 1 (center) and Damaris Mbiyu Form 2 work on a computer programme. Imperial Bank donated computers worth over Shs 120,000 to the Chania Girls High School computer library.

Most of these deaths occur in under-served communities and from largely preventable causes. One organization that has focused on achieving the MDG targets in Kenya is UNICEF. UNICEF's goal is to reduce maternal and child mortality rates by approximately one third through their Child Alive campaign.

Imperial Bank is privileged to have been in partnership with UNICEF for some years now. In 2008 the bank entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with UNICEF to raise funds for the Child Alive campaign by using the PesaPoint ATM network. This agreement made Imperial Bank the first bank in East and Central Africa to use ATM technology for fundraising. Since then, Imperial Bank has carried out awareness campaigns that have seen the public donate to UNICEF in over 120 PesaPoint ATMs countrywide. To date the bank has donated to close to forty thousand dollars. In the past, the bank also supported UNICEF especially through the Watoto Kwanza trust and has also been UNICEF's best corporate buyer.

Staff involvement
Imperial Bank commits its resources to creating a positive impact in the community especially in the areas where we have a presence. The bank continues to live its values by achieving commercial success in ways that honor ethical values and respect people and communities. The bank's most important asset is its people. It is committed to providing an enabling and friendly working environment and also invests in training of its staff members to ensure that they reach their full potential. In so doing they contribute to the growth of the bank and give back to the community. Imperial Bank staff members not only support bank-sponsored campaigns but also nationwide initiatives such as the annual Mater Heart run and the Nairobi Hospice Walk.