Strategic Report Strategic Report Strategic Report Financial Additional Overview Strategy Performance Governance Statements Information Educating on banking matters Security matters The Group recognises the importance of having the Bank of Georgia takes a number of measures to best interest of society both in the short and long term. guarantee employee safety. The Bank regularly carries With the aim to positively impact the community where out fire and other emergency drills and relevant trainings. it operates, the Bank is motivated to provide its clients Selected employees in every major branch of the Bank with comprehensive information on their rights and are periodically trained in providing first aid. In 2018, financial transactions. Bank of Georgia launched a new project which aims to provide security to employees in case they are blackmailed, Aiming to increase financial knowledge throughout the abused, stalked, etc. In 2018, the Bank launched “My country, the Bank of Georgia together with the National Lawyer” – a project created to protect the rights of the Bank of Georgia (NBG) and with the support of the employees and their family members in case a crime German Foundation of Savings Banks for International was committed against them or if they themselves are Cooperation, launched a website www.grovia.com.ge accused of wrong-doing. Every service centre of the Bank which contains information on World Savings Day, is equipped with a security system and is protected by the banking products and services, and customer rights. Police force when the alarm is activated. The Bank also The idea behind the project is to restore the public trust employs its own security which patrols the service centres in the financial sector and to overcome the hurdle between around the clock. people and commercial banks. Grovia, which is a symbol of World Savings Day in Georgia, Group policies was created within Savings Accumulation and Financial The Group has in place a Code of Ethics, as well as policies Opportunities – the project supported by the Savings which relate to environmental matters, employees, social Banks Foundation for International Cooperation (SBFIC) matters, our respect for human rights and anti-corruption together with the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and and bribery. Development of Germany. Public savings are important for the country’s economy and financial institutions. The Copies of these polices can be found on the culture of saving is directly related to people’s knowledge Group’s website: of financial and economic matters. Financial education is https://bankofgeorgiagroup.com/governance/documents considered as one of the components of financial services and consumer protection. Due to its importance, many countries, including Georgia, have taken steps to increase opportunities to educate the population on financial services. Grovia is a step towards spreading financial education in Georgia and empowering the people to make sound and informed decisions about their personal finances. In addition to Grovia, Bank of Georgia compiled a dictionary of banking terminology to help clients better understand the banking products offered to them, read and comment on the contracts they are about to sign, and as a result make informed decisions in their best interest. The dictionary includes more than 1,000 banking, financial, legal, accounting, insurance, marketing terms and phrases and is available in the Bank’s service centres, as well as online under www.terminebi.ge. Printed copies are also available in public libraries and universities. Similar projects are successfully implemented in various developed countries, including Germany and Poland. Annual Report 2018Bank of Georgia Group PLC 85