Ethics, Integrity and Compliance

Ethics and Integrity

The Code of Ethical Conduct and Integrity, the disciplinary rules of people management, and the Integrity and Ethics Policy aim to serve as practical guides on the conduct of employees and other public agents when making daily interactions and decisions. These documents provide one with a wide knowledge of the values and principles that guide the performance of Banco do Nordeste and the legislation applicable to financial institutions and publicly-held companies, which are also set down in the Bylaws.

The mission, principles, and essential values that guide internal and external relationships with various segments of society are systematized in our Code of Ethical Conduct and Integrity.

Like all financial institutions, Banco do Nordeste is exposed to the damage caused by unlawful conduct. Thus, it continually works to strengthen actions to fight corruption and fraud through mechanisms to prevent, detect, and remedy any irregularities.

Banco do Nordeste adopts practices to ensure that ethics will be diffused among all employees on the work front representing us as a financial and development institution by frequently using the Internet, intranet, and emails as permanent disclosure channels, in addition to in-person lectures, virtual training sessions and educational messages.

Implemented under Law 12,846/2013, the Integrity and Ethics Policy aims to detect and remedy any deviations, frauds, irregularities, and illicit acts committed against the government.

Its guidelines are composed of the following themes: prevention and fighting corruption; identification and addressing conflicts of interest; contracting and procurement of goods/services; transparency and access to information; internal controls, risk management, and corporate security; prevention and fighting money laundering and terrorist financing; corporate governance; financial statements; internal audit; socio-environmental responsibility; ethical conduct; disciplinary management; training and capacity building.

Compliance

Banco do Nordeste acknowledges that compliance is essential for the good functioning and integrity of the capital markets. Not only because it protects the interest of investors but also because it helps the Bank be more resilient and reliable, building trust in the financial system as a whole.

For this reason, the Bank adopts an Internal Control and Compliance Policy that regulates the development, dissemination, and monitoring of compliance, guiding all areas in promoting actions for internal and external stakeholders.

For Banco do Nordeste, compliance means being under the regulations in force, under the highest standards of ethics and conduct, and has two dimensions – conformity and integrity.

Since 2013, the Bank has been a signatory to the Business Pact for Integrity and Against Corruption. Under the Pact, we committed ourselves to adopting and disseminating best practices for business ethics to foster a more honest and ethical market. In 2021, the Bank was once more listed in the group of companies associated with the Ethos Institute of Companies and Social Responsibility, which has supported the improvement of integrity management and ESG aspects.

The policies and procedures related to corruption fighting are provided for in several normative instruments permeating the institution as a whole. As an example, we can mention the Disciplinary Policy, the Integrity and Ethics Policy, the Ethical Conduct and Integrity Policy, the People Management Policy, and Bidding and Contracts Manuals, among others. All these normative documents are available on the intranet for employees.

Partners and suppliers are also duly informed about corruption-fighting requirements and procedures adopted by Banco do Nordeste.

Additionally, Banco do Nordeste has an Integrity and Ethics Program consisting of an organized set of internal mechanisms and procedures for integrity, audit, and encouragement to report irregularities and effectively enforce codes of ethics and conduct, policies, and guidelines, to prevent, detect, punish and remedy deviations, fraud, irregularities and unlawful acts committed against the government, in Brazil or abroad.

*Detailed information is available on the corporate website.