Corporate Social Responsibility

Temenos tries in every way possible to act as a responsible company and to be accountable to all of its stakeholders.

Ethical activity through our products

With ten years’ experience in Microfinance and established relationships with the World Bank and other international organisations concerned with Microfinance, Temenos has a deep understanding of, and a longstanding commitment to, this market. We offer eMerge on T24 as a solution for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and Community Banks in emerging markets. eMerge on T24 integrates international banking standards with Microfinance-specific functions, providing MFIs with a set of more than 20 common commercial banking functionalities.

Temenos understands the limited resources that many MFIs have at the moment of selecting and implementing a core banking system. The modular structure of eMerge on T24 therefore offers MFIs a pre-configured application enabling fast, low-risk and cost-effective implementations. As they develop, MFIs can select additional modules. eMerge on T24 has established a strong presence world wide, with over 90 implementations in 36 countries, including ACCION International and Opportunity International.

Environmental activities

Temenos is a technology company. The production of our software consumes minimal amounts of energy and raw materials. In fact, our award-winning products create efficiencies, which by automating processes and consolidating systems, reduce hardware and energy requirements at our clients’ premises and so help to reduce environmental damage.

Nonetheless, Temenos recognises that it still has a role to play in environmental issues. The running of 44 offices, as well as the movement of people, creates emissions which we are keen to minimise. During the year, we have aided the reduction of Temenos’ carbon footprint by cutting the number of flights per employee by 15%.

Temenos is also working with Co2balance Ltd and investing funds into one of its projects in East Africa. This project will replace the use of open fires for cooking with solar powered sun ovens and energy-efficient cooking stoves. Further to the saving in greenhouse gas emissions, the reduced need for firewood and burning of rubbish leads to a corresponding reduction in the amount of time spent collecting the materials. The users of the new technologies gain considerable benefits such as reduced costs and a considerably improved environment from a health and safety perspective. Temenos has so far been able to offset 150 tonnes of CO2, and will be looking to at least double this amount by the end of 2008.

Charitable activities

Temenos also gives to charitable projects which are concurrent to the ideals of the company: that is to say, international and predicated on technology. Temenos, in association with The Global Fund for Children, donates money to be awarded to community-based projects around the world which aim to give vulnerable children and young people the best possible start in life. All of the projects being funded by Temenos are using IT to support the development of the participants in some of the poorest communities in the world. With increased knowledge, the young people involved are better able to move forward and make more of the opportunities which they are given.

Employees

As a demonstration of diversity, Temenos now employs more than 2,300 people of 60 different nationalities, speaking over 60 different languages. With such a wide ranging employee base, to ensure we get the best out of each individual, Temenos runs two programmes which are intended to motivate staff to achieve the best results possible within an ethical framework. Both the Employee Stock Options Plan (ESOP) and the Equity Based STAR Program recognise the efforts of employees and reward them in a way which will benefit the individual, the company and, through alignment of interests, the shareholders too.

Equal opportunities

Temenos is actively committed to a policy of Equal Opportunities for all staff, regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, disability, age or religious beliefs. All job applicants are solely considered on the basis of their skills and experience for the position. Further to this policy, Temenos also recognises that whilst at work, employees have the right to be treated in a fair and considerate manner. To ensure this is the case, the company has implemented Equal Opportunities training and policies to raise awareness of equality, enabling us to continue to develop an inclusive culture.

Health and safety

Temenos has the utmost regard for the Health and Safety of all of its employees. Worldwide legislation provides Temenos with an obligation towards all those concerned with health, safety and welfare at work for both employees as well as employers. Accordingly, all Temenos offices across the world have their own Health and Safety policy which must be adhered to. These policies help to ensure that Temenos has the best possible record in this area.