UBS

Credit Suisse
Switzerland
Diversified Financials

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

UBS, an investment banking company, vets vendors according to LGBTQ and ESG policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. The company is a member of Glasgow's Net Zero Alliance, committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. UBS created the InsightShares LGBT Employment Equality ETF to advance LGBTQ causes and funds multiple LGBTQ organizations. However, the company has not publicly fired customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs, and has not used its PAC contributions for ideological purposes. For these reasons, UBS receives a Medium Risk rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

UBS received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1). UBS will not work with certain suppliers if they do not meet UBS’s ESG criteria. Its Supplier Diversity Guide states that it “will not purchase products or services associated with controversial activities, or, if associated with areas of concern, only purchase them under pre-established guidelines, as defined in UBS’s sustainability and climate risk policy” (2). UBS has pledged to reduce its loan exposure to oil and gas companies (3). However, the company has told the state of Texas that it does not boycott oil and gas entirely (4).

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

UBS will not match employee donations to churches or religious organizations. “The Matching Gift Program will not contribute matching funds to political parties or candidates; political advocacy groups; religious, professional, social, service, fraternal or athletic associations or booster clubs; or political advocacy groups sponsored by eligible organizations” (1)(2).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

UBS does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

UBS uses its corporate reputation to advance ESG principles as detailed in its sustainability report (1). UBS advocates for LGBTQ causes through its participation in Pride events and LGBTQ awards (2). UBS is a member of the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative and a PCAF member, committed to carbon neutrality with its investments by 2050 (3)(4).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

UBS created the InsightShares LGBT Employment Equality ETF (PRID US) to support investments in pro-LGBTQ organizations (1). UBS is a brass sponsor of Out & Equal and a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (2)(3).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
Rationale

UBS has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes (1)(2).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
November 30, 2023

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