Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana, First Colombian Financial Institution to be Included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index

MEDELLIN, Colombia, Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana was included in the 342 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, positioning itself as one of the leading companies for its economic, environmental and social management activities. GRUPOSURA is the first Company in the financial sector to be added to this index.

It is important to note that GRUPOSURA, one of 2,500 companies throughout the world to file an application, made the list on its first attempt. One hundred and two companies were assessed in the financial sector and only 18 of these were selected of which only three are Latin American companies.

"The participation in the index affirms the commitment of Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana to responsible and ethical management by subjecting the organization to an evaluation in which companies with the highest sustainability standards take part.  Being included in the list is a recognition and a challenge to continue strengthening the organizational management and practices," says David Bojanini, President of Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes monitor the performance of corporate sustainability leaders throughout the world. "This is the result of a policy focused on strict compliance with the Company's Corporate Principles, and those followed by the companies that belong to the strategic investment portfolio," adds Bojanini.

Corporate governance, risk management, labor practices, environmental management, interest group relations and transparency policies were some of the aspects evaluated by Dow Jones in order to include Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana in this index.  "We are very pleased to be included and emphasize that this is the result of the strength of the Company, its commitment to sustainability, and the hard work of all our staff," concludes David Bojanini.

ABOUT GRUPO DE INVERSIONES SURAMERICANA

Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana, with more than 8,000 shareholders, is a multilatino company, listed on the Colombian Stock Exchange and registered in the ADR program – Level 1 in the United States and in Latibex, the market for Latin American securities on the Madrid Stock Exchange. It has the highest business management score backed by an International Investment Grade rating from S&P and Fitch Ratings. GRUPOSURA is a holding company whose investments are leaders in Colombia, with a presence in several countries in the Americas. Its track record spans 67 years of experience and investments in banking, insurance, pensions and severance funds, processed foods, cement, and energy. It is a financial leader – the number one player in Colombia in banking and insurance, and number two in pensions.

SOURCE Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana