SAN FRANCISCO, – Union Bank, N.A., announced today that it earned a perfect score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2014 Corporate Equality Index. This is the first year that Union Bank participated in HRC’s rating system, which serves as the national benchmarking tool for corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees. With its top score, Union Bank is also recognized as a “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” by HRC.
Union Bank’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is illustrated in numerous programs, products and services, such as its nearly
20-year Local Heroes Awards, which celebrates cultural diversity, including extraordinary LGBT honorees; community partnerships; a diverse and highly engaged workforce in which more than half of its employees are people of color and more than 60 percent women; and a strong commitment to community development finance and diverse business lending. The bank also has one of the most diverse corporate boards of directors of any major U.S. company.
“We are extremely proud to receive a perfect score of 100 percent and a ‘Best Places to Work” recognition on the Human Rights Campaign
Foundation 2014 Corporate Equality Index,” said Union Bank Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Annemieke van der Werff. “Celebrating diversity and inclusion has been part of the bank’s nearly 150-year heritage, and it’s exciting when our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion at all levels within the bank is recognized.”
Another example of Union Bank’s commitment to the LGBT community and its employees is UB PROUD, the bank’s employee resource group for LGBT employees and allies. UB PROUD works to strengthen ties between colleagues, senior management, clients and community members by increasing visibility and awareness for the LGBT community. Union Bank also supports and participates in LGBT Pride celebrations throughout the West Coast, and supports a number of LGBT community and non-profit organizations, including a long-standing partnership with the Financial Services Industry Exchange (FSIX).
“We have worked diligently to create a welcoming culture that enables us to attract, develop and retain diverse talent, respond to broad
customer segments, and partner effectively with our communities, including the LGBT community,” said van der Werff. “This recognition is a testament to the commitment of our leaders and employees, including UB PROUD, to fostering inclusive business practices and one more example of our dedication to responsible banking and ‘doing right.’”
The 2014 CEI rated 934 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. Union Bank’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.”
For more information on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit http://www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporate-equality-index
