Abu Dhabi - Mubasher: The MSCI environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rating of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has been upgraded to 'AA' from 'A', attributed to the bank's digital transformation initiatives and customer data protection and information security practices.

Following the upgrade, the bank has been placed among the top 29% of companies included in the MSCI ACWI global equity index for managing ESG risks and opportunities, according to a press release on Sunday.

The MSCI reflected the bank’s digital services to support small businesses and under-banked segments, which contributed to the rating upgrade.

In addition, ADCB has achieved industry-leading scores for consumer financial protection, robust data security, and compliance.

The Group CEO, Ala'a Eraiqat, said: "By effectively managing ESG risks and opportunities, ADCB is contributing to socio-economic development in the UAE and ensuring long-term sustainability of our business."

Eraiqat commented: "ADCB has embarked on a comprehensive ESG journey that will be embedded into our five-year business strategy. We are continuously building on our ESG framework, which incorporates robust policies and processes, materiality assessments, and target setting."