Sustainability is integral to OP Pohjola's strategy, every employee's daily work and all internal decisions and activities. Furthermore, sustainability work is based on OP Pohjola's mission and values, which are supported by the cooperative business model.
"Sustainability strongly guides our actions; in turn, we want to guide people living in Finland towards a brighter future. This recognition tells us that we're on the right track. It also motivates us to continue our work with even greater ambition," says Executive Vice President Katja Keitaanniemi.
On OP Cooperative's Executive Management Team, Keitaanniemi is responsible for the Corporate Banking business and OP Pohjola's sustainability.
"We have systematically developed our sustainability work on a long-term basis. This award is a very welcome sign that our work is recognised internationally," says Elina Erkkilä, OP Pohjola's Director of ESG and Corporate Responsibility.
Three highlights of OP Pohjola's sustainability and corporate responsibility work.
1. Reducing emissions in our own activities and value chains
OP Pohjola has set ambitious emissions reduction targets for all its business operations; it had reduced its own operational emissions by 99% by the end of 2024.
Emissions reduction targets have also been set for the credit portfolios of Retail Banking and Corporate Banking, and for the investment portfolios of Insurance and Wealth Management. The businesses have taken concrete actions that have already led to a clear reduction in emissions and the achievement of interim targets.
Consideration of generally relevant sustainability factors has also been integrated with business activities. Each business has dedicated ESG specialists who promote the achievement of sustainability targets.
2. Involving owner-customers in sustainability and corporate responsibility work through the 'Good deeds across time' campaign
OP Pohjola's 'Good deeds across time' campaign is an excellent example of inclusive corporate responsibility. "In 2025, the campaign garnered over 65,000 responses from our owner-customers. Customers were given the opportunity to influence their OP cooperative bank's sustainability and corporate responsibility actions by choosing themes:
- Providing older customers and other people in need of support with guidance on safe banking
- Supporting hobbies for children and young people
- Summer jobs for young people
- Teaching children and young people how to use money wisely
- Deeds that benefit local nature
3. Circular economy as part of the non-life insurance business
Pohjola Insurance has adopted new circular economy operating models in Vehicle Insurance Claims Settlement and Property Claims Services. For example, Vehicle Insurance Claims Settlement's partner repair shops are encouraged to repair damaged parts and windscreens whenever this can be done safely and with high quality.
Pohjola Insurance is collaborating with the automotive industry's leading circular economy operator to increase the availability of spare parts salvaged from redeemed vehicles: quality-controlled and road-safe reclaimed parts are used in a targeted manner at partner repair shops. The primary goal is to repair damaged property and extend its life cycle. Together with its partners, Pohjola Insurance aims to continuously increase the share of circular economy solutions in insurance claims.
Retail Banking's innovations also awarded
The International Banker also recognised OP Pohjola in the Best Innovation in Retail Banking Finland 2025 category. This award is for the OP Aina service – customers' digital assistant for daily banking and insurance – in particular. More than two million chats are already being held each year with OP Aina, which is available 24/7. – "I'm proud of our innovation efforts, which are getting well-deserved recognition with this award. The kind of support provided for customers by OP Aina is not yet available from other Finnish financial service providers. OP Aina will gradually grow into a guide and coach, and thereby fulfil our brand vision in the most concrete way," comments Harri Nummela, Executive Vice President, Retail Banking.
International Banker is a specialist magazine for the banking industry published by Finance Publishing Limited. Each year, based on nominations from its readers, the magazine recognises the most accomplished financial service providers with the International Banker Awards.