UBS named sustainability leader by Dow Jones Sustainability Index for third straight year

Zurich, 07 September 2017 – For the third year running, UBS has been confirmed as the industry group leader in the Diversified Financials Industry Group by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), the most widely recognized sustainability index.

In its report on UBS, sustainable investment specialist RobecoSAM, which evaluates companies' sustainability practices and rates their performance for the DJSI, commented: "[UBS] offers a large choice of sustainable investment solutions to its clients, such as impact funds, long-term theme funds, renewable energy and cleantech financing, green bonds, ecomortgages, or energy check-ups for SMEs. In 2016 for example, its impact investment business increased 228% compared to 2015."

"Today's recognition as industry group leader for the third consecutive year underlines our efforts and commitment in this field," said Sergio P. Ermotti, Group Chief Executive Officer at UBS Group AG. "Our ambition is to maintain our leadership in sustainability because our investors and clients demand nothing less."

The announcement comes as UBS gives international media a behind-the-scenes look into its ongoing plans to mainstream sustainable and impact investing into its business. It presents an exciting and fast-growing area of finance that UBS is uniquely positioned to take advantage of for the benefit of clients, investors and society.

The DJSI is published by S&P Dow Jones Indices – one of the world’s largest providers of financial market indices – and sustainable investing specialist RobecoSAM.

Notes to editors

In the most recent "Rate the Raters" report the DJSI was identified as the most widely recognized sustainability rating.

Section from the Industry Group Leader report issued by RobecoSAM

UBS maintains its leading position in the Diversified Financials Industry. The company’s sustainability efforts are directed through its UBS and Society program. This is a cross-divisional umbrella platform covering all activities and capabilities in sustainable investing and philanthropy, environmental and human rights policies, UBS's own environmental footprint, as well as the firm’s community investment. The company offers a large choice of sustainable investment solutions to its clients, such as impact funds, long-term theme funds, renewable energy and cleantech financing, green bonds, ecomortgages, or energy check-ups for SMEs. In 2016 for example, its impact investment business increased 228% compared to 2015. Finally, UBS also considers Human Capital Development as a key to the company's success, offering programs such as senior leadership experience, mid- and first-level line manager programs, and key talent development programs and evaluating the business impact of such training programs on a program level.

About UBS
UBS provides financial advice and solutions to wealthy, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as private clients in Switzerland. The operational structure of the Group is comprised of our Corporate Center and five business divisions: Wealth Management, Wealth Management Americas, Personal & Corporate Banking, Asset Management and the Investment Bank. UBS's strategy builds on the strengths of all of its businesses and focuses its efforts on areas in which it excels, while seeking to capitalize on the compelling growth prospects in the businesses and regions in which it operates, in order to generate attractive and sustainable returns for its shareholders. All of its businesses are capital-efficient and benefit from a strong competitive position in their targeted markets.

UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in 54 countries, with about 34% of its employees working in the Americas, 35% in Switzerland, 18% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 13% in Asia Pacific. UBS Group AG employs approximately 60,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
 

UBS Group AG
 

www.ubs.com

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