Sustainability

Society

Different, because:
we draw on our strong roots to give back to society.

Oberbank takes its social responsibility seriously, both toward its employees and toward society. Through our contribution to financial literacy, sponsorships, and the awarding of the Feronia Sustainability Prize, we implement measures to drive positive development in society. In doing so, we focus primarily on activities in our regions.

Our measures in the area of society contribute to achieving the following Sustainable Development Goals:

Keine Armut Gesundheit und Wohlergehen Hochwertige Ausbildung Menschenwürdige Arbeit und Wirtschaftswachstum Weniger Ungleichheiten

By sponsoring charities, contributing to financial education, training new employees and promoting equal opportunities, among other things, we make important contributions to the aforementioned goals.

Financial literacy

As a financial services provider, Oberbank is committed to making a contribution to increasing financial literacy in society.

Oberbank strengthens financial competences and knowledge of sustainable investment opportunities through:

Lectures and workshops in schools and universities (e.g. lectures at the Johannes Kepler University Linz and sustainability events at regional companies on the topic of sustainability)
academic theses and university projects in the field of sustainability (in cooperation with Johannes Kepler University Linz and the University of Applied Sciences (FH) Salzburg)

The online magazine is only available in German, please find it here

Donations and sponsorships

As a successful financial enterprise, Oberbank is aware of its social responsibility towards society and exercises this responsibility, among other things, in the form of targeted sponsorships in the areas of sports, culture, social and economy.

Sponsorship should not be an end in itself, but rather requires a targeted selection of sponsoring partners and a strategic approach.

More information on the activities sponsored by Oberbank under this link

Sustainability Award FERONIA

Oberbank has been awarding together with OÖ Nachrichten and the State of Upper Austria since 2023 the FERONIA Sustainability Award. This award was presented to sustainable and climate-conscious companies, initiatives and associations based in Upper Austria. The winners are selected by a panel of mostly independent judges and representatives of the sponsoring organisations with broad expertise in sustainability, ranging from environmental and social issues to arts and culture.

Next year the FERONIAthe FERONIA Sustainability Award will again be presented to sustainable and climate-conscious companies, initiatives and associations in the region of Upper Austria.

Further information on the application process

FERONIA 2023

Oberbank has always endeavoured to acquire works of art – especially paintings – and to display them in the branches as well as at the head office. The Oberbank Art Advisory Board was established to ensure professional management, from the selection and purchase of the works of art to their exhibition. Formally, the Art Advisory Board acts in accordance with the provisions of its Advisory Board Rules.

The Oberbank Collection at a glance

The Oberbank Collection currently comprises more than 8,200 works by national and international artists, some of which are also compilations of works by historical artistic figures, such as Egon Hofmann. Only the most valuable and significant works are assigned to the “art collection” category. Particularly high-quality acquisitions were made in 2017 for the new bank building, including works by Helmut Bruch, Angela Bulloch, Oliver Dorfer, Brigitte Kowanz, Julian Opie, Lois Renner, Günther Selichar and Esther Stocker, Maria Moser, Anselm Glück, Christian Ludwig Attersee und Lena Göbel.

The most important cornerstones of Oberbank’s strategy in expanding and maintaining its art collection are:

Regionalism
Oberbank sees its branches as an essential projection surface for its art collection. The intention is to exhibit mainly works by artists from the respective region.
Young art
Our collection focuses on the acquisition of young Austrian contemporary art of appropriate quality and with the corresponding potential to increase in value. Based on the same criteria, the circle of artists to be included in the collection is to be extended to the regions in which Oberbank is active.
Gender neutrality
In accordance with the principles of equal opportunity applicable at Oberbank, which are also published in the Code of Conduct, the collection must pay particular attention to gender neutrality.
Quality
Reconciling the quality standards of the collection with the available budget is a major challenge for Hon.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Martin Hochleitner, Director of the Salzburg Museum, who serves on the Art Advisory Board in a consulting function.

Purchasing decisions are made in the advisory board meetings with the advice and support of the representative Dr. Martin Hochleitner, Director of the Salzburg Museum. The advisory board is also accompanied and advised by this expert when it comes to local purchases. The Oberbank Collection currently comprises more than 8,200 works by national and international artists, some of which are also compilations of works by historical artistic figures, such as Egon Hofmann. Only the most valuable and significant works are assigned to the “art collection” category. Particularly high-quality acquisitions were made in 2017 for the new bank building, including works by Helmut Bruch, Angela Bulloch, Oliver Dorfer, Brigitte Kowanz, Julian Opie, Lois Renner, Günther Selichar and Esther Stocker, Maria Moser, Anselm Glück, Christian Ludwig Attersee und Lena Göbel.

An example from the Oberbank art collection: “Edition 28”

In 2021, a new series of prints with special references to Linz was launched with “Edition 28”. The name of the series refers to the starting point, Obere Donaulände 28, e.g., the address of the Oberbank headquarters. The first issue was designed by Oliver Dorfer and shows his personal picture of Linz. Subsequently, other artists will creatively present their associations with the city.

Ein weiteres Beispiel aus der Oberbank Kunstsammlung: „Edition 28“

Our picture of the year

Art by Maria Moser

Art by Brigitte Kowanz with the title „1234567890“; Photocredit: Violetta Wakolbinger

Maria Moser's painting is classified as abstract expressionism, a visual language that stands for a high degree of freedom in painting. As the daughter of a master blacksmith, she is influenced by red-hot iron, fire, rolled sheet metal, pipes, trusses, and forging hammers, which are relevant sources of inspiration for her works. The artist connects the process of forging with the creation of painting. Massive brushstrokes, poured, painted, and gestural splashes combine to form an interlocking pictorial space and become an abstract window into her painterly world.