Social engagement

As an international bank group with regional roots, we recognise our social and environmental responsibility in the places we do business, mainly Liechtenstein but also selectively in other regions where we are represented. VP Bank focuses its charitable donations, alternating by year, on recreational sporting associations and cultural institutions serving the general public. VP Bank Group employees who actively participate in a charitable institution also receive a supporting contribution. Numerous initiatives and projects have benefited from this commitment over many years. 

Since 2012, VP Bank has also had a charitable giving agreement with the Swiss Climate Foundation. As a partner of this foundation, VP Bank provides financial support for the energy efficiency and climate protection projects of small and medium-sized companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Under this arrangement, VP Bank provides financing based on the net rebate of the CO²-incentive tax on fossil fuels. 

Sports and cultural sponsorships are among the most effective opportunities to position brands in an emotional environment, achieve key goals and reach target groups. VP Bank actively focuses its sponsorships in these two areas with a long-term focus. 

In sports, we sponsor ladies pro golf. In classical music, VP Bank is a Presenting Partner of the “VP Bank Classic Festival” in Switzerland, whose purpose is to provide an international springboard for young classical artists to develop their musical talent. 

The VP Bank Art Foundation was established in 1996 and collects works of contemporary artists. Its purpose is to foster art appreciation in a targeted manner within and outside VP Bank as well as to promote visual arts by means of acquisitions and art-related publications. The purchased works are displayed in the rooms of VP Bank as well as at art exhibitions. They are also loaned to third parties for showings at other venues. 

Hans Brunhart is Chairman of the foundation’s Board of Trustees. The other board members are Fredy Vogt, Chairman of the Board of VP Bank Group, and Dr Uwe Wieczorek, curator of the Hilti Art Foundation. Annett Höland is the curator of the Foundation.

In 2019, the activities revolved around the care and resto­ration of the existing collection and included ideas on how to rearrange the works in the collection as well as an employee tour of the VP Bank site in Zurich. A painting from the foundation’s collection was loaned out as part of an exhibit, and the foundation introduced itself at an event attended by people in the Munich arts and cultural scene. 

Going forward, VP Bank Art Foundation will seek to raise its profile to the outside world. The foundation receives an annual financial contribution from VP Bank. 

VP Bank Foundation was initiated in 2006 and established in 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of VP Bank. In keeping with its Articles of Association, the Foundation supports projects, individuals and institutions that have made outsized contributions on behalf of the environment, art, education, science or culture. Charitable activities on behalf of the general public are also supported. This patronage is intended to be connected with Liechtenstein and consistent with VP Bank’s corporate values. Donations can also be made for welfare and social purposes. VP Bank Foundation has earned a well-regarded position among Liechtenstein foundations and helped to shape the philanthropic sector. 

The Board of Trustees comprises Hans Brunhart and Fredy Vogt. During the year under review, VP Bank Foundation distributed around CHF 250,000 to worthy causes. 

Promoting science and education has been a major part of VP Bank Foundation’s activities from the outset. With this objective, the Foundation supports scientific institutions and their projects, publications, training facilities and private initiatives.

In the cultural sphere, the foundation supported diverse projects in the areas of literature, art and association activities. 

In the environmental area, the Foundation supported the “Stiftung pro natura – pro ski” foundation initiated by VP Bank as part of a long-term commitment toward envi­ronmentally responsible development in alpine areas, the “Waterfootprint Liechtenstein” initiative of the Drink and Donate association, the “Lebenswertes Liechtenstein” foundation, a biodiversity project of the Liechtenstein ­Environmental Protection Society (Liechtensteinische Gesellschaft für Umweltschutz) and a climate protection project of the myclimate foundation. 

As part of the “Lichtblick” campaign, VP Bank Foundation made grants totalling around CHF 62,000 to some 27 social institutions in Liechtenstein in 2019. 

The foundation’s endowment is invested through a long-term asset management contract. Last year, a portion of the Foundation’s resources was again invested in the EMF Microfinance Fund AGmvK as well as in VP Bank “Balanced (CHF) Strategy Fund class C” units. Via returns from the latter exposure, the relief organisation “SolidarMed” again received earmarked financial aid in 2019.

In keeping with VP Bank’s sustainability activities, in 2019 VP Bank Foundation backed a Liechtenstein University workshop on sustainable finance.

VP Bank Foundation is a member of the Liechtenstein Association of Non-profit Foundations (Vereinigung liechten­steinischer gemeinnütziger Stiftungen e.V. – VLGS) and the “SwissFoundations” association. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees actively participates in the management and development of the Liechtenstein association and makes use of valuable sharing of experiences in both associations.