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Thailand’s Government Savings Bank Adopts ESG Scoring for Lending

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Thailand’s State run Government Savings Bank (GSB) has begun to employ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores when considering loans to large firms with a credit ceiling of 500 million baht or more.

According to President and Chief Executive Vitai Ratanakorn, GSB will be the first bank to consider ESG scores when lending to large corporate customers. This project seeks to assist enterprises that have a good impact on the economy, society, and the environment.

Large corporations will be questioned about how their operations contribute to environmental, social, and governance norms, as well as any negative news.

The total score is 10, and a score of fewer than 2 points indicates loan refusal. A score of 8 points or higher, on the other hand, will result in loan acceptance and loan rates reduced by 0.10-0.20%.

“While businesses with less than 2 points will not be eligible for loan approval, the bank is ready to work with those businesses to help them improve their operations in order to achieve higher ESG scores,” Mr. Vitai said.

In terms of retail clients, which are regarded the most important customer category, Mr. Vitai stated that the bank used a portion of its income from major corporations to subsidize interest for unserved retail customer categories and disadvantaged groups.

Thailand's Government Savings Bank Adopts ESG Scoring

Over the last three years, the bank has decreased interest rates, undertaken debt moratoriums and debt restructuring measures, and made direct payments totaling more than 55.4 billion baht through corporate social responsibility (CSR) operations.

He stated that the bank’s operations should have a visible impact on society. For example, the bank offers auto title loans at cheap interest rates, often 8-10% lower than the market, allowing low-income clients to obtain loans by using motorcycles as collateral.

1.8 million customers received auto title loans from the bank in the recent past.

Mr Vitai also stated that by the end of this year, the bank will establish a subsidiary named Ngern Dee Dee with a registered capital of 500 million baht to lend to unsecured and high-risk retail customers.

The interest rate is set at 3-5% cheaper than the market, with a borrowing limit ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 baht per borrower.

This loan will be available through the bank’s digital lending app at the start of next year.

The bank had outstanding loans of 2.35 trillion baht at the end of the second quarter, up 57.4 billion baht from the end of last year, deposits of 2.68 trillion baht, up 3.6 billion baht, a net profit of 17.3 billion baht, and non-performing loans (NPLs) of 2.63% of outstanding loans.

The bank established a goal of keeping NPLs under 2.95% for the entire year. ESG is a practical strategy to doing business that prioritizes sustainability over financial gains.

Environmental, social, and governance issues are considered by socially conscious investors when evaluating organisations and screening new investments.

Thailand's Government Savings Bank Adopts ESG Scoring

Environmental criteria take into account how a corporation protects the environment, such as corporate policies that address climate change, carbon emissions, pollution, energy use, and biodiversity.

Human rights, adherence to occupational safety and health regulations, and relationships with employees, suppliers, consumers, and communities are all examples of social criteria.

Corporate governance emphasises corporate transparency, internal system control and audits, and strict adherence to laws and regulations.

The ESG idea helps organisations gain credibility by reflecting a company’s dedication to environmental, social, and governance norms and criteria.

Many publicly traded companies utilise ESG data to create sustainability reports that are distributed to shareholders, investors, and the general public alongside financial reports.

ESG-compliant organisations account for around 80% of institutional investors’ investment portfolios.

Thailand's Government Savings Bank Adopts ESG Scoring

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Explained

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) are three key factors that are used to evaluate the sustainability and societal impact of a company or organization. ESG has gained significant importance in the business and investment world as stakeholders increasingly recognize the importance of considering these broader factors in addition to financial performance.

1. Environmental (E):
The environmental aspect of ESG focuses on how a company’s operations impact the natural environment. Key areas of concern include:

– Climate Change: Companies’ greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint, and efforts to mitigate climate change through renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction initiatives.

– Pollution and Waste: Assessment of a company’s waste management practices, pollution control measures, and adherence to environmental regulations.

– Resource Management: How a company utilizes natural resources, including water, energy, and raw materials, and whether they promote sustainable practices.

– Biodiversity: Consideration of a company’s impact on biodiversity and efforts to protect and preserve natural ecosystems.

2. Social (S):
The social aspect of ESG looks at a company’s impact on society and the well-being of its stakeholders, including:

– Employee Relations: Treatment of employees, fair wages, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and labor practices.

– Human Rights: Respect for human rights across the company’s supply chain and operations.

– Community Engagement: The company’s efforts to positively engage with local communities and contribute to their well-being.

– Customer Satisfaction and Data Privacy: Ensuring that products and services meet customer needs and protecting customer data and privacy.

3. Governance (G):
The governance aspect of ESG refers to how a company is governed and controlled, including:

– Board Composition: The diversity, independence, and expertise of the company’s board of directors.

– Executive Compensation: Ensuring that executive pay is aligned with company performance and shareholder interests.

– Transparency and Accountability: The level of disclosure and transparency in financial reporting, corporate policies, and decision-making processes.

– Anti-Corruption and Ethics: Measures taken to prevent corruption and promote ethical behavior within the organization.

ESG criteria are used by investors, businesses, and other stakeholders to assess a company’s long-term sustainability, risk management practices, and social responsibility. Companies with strong ESG performance are often considered more attractive for investment and may enjoy better long-term financial and reputational outcomes. Similarly, investors and consumers increasingly seek to align their investments and purchasing decisions with their values and concerns related to sustainability and social impact.

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PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.

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Pepsi

(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.

This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.

Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.

Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.

The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.

Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.

Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.

The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.

Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.

Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.

Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.

Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.

Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”

Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.

The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.

Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.

The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.

Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”

Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.

The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.

Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.

The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:

SOURCE: CNBC

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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Infosys

(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.

This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.

For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.

This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.

Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”

This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.

This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.

Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.

Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.

Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.

This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.

It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.

Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”

This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.

We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.

Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.

SOURCE: THBL

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

States Sue TikTok, Claiming Its Platform Is Addictive And Harms The Mental Health Of Children

Qantas Airways Apologizes After R-Rated Film Reportedly Airs On Every Screen During Flight

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

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water

The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.

water

American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.

water

The corporation stated that it has alerted legal enforcement and is cooperating with them. It also stated that consumers will not be charged late fees while its systems are unavailable.

According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SOURCE | AP

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