Bread Financial Releases 2023 Sustainability Report, Highlighting Company’s Continued Commitment to Customers, Investors, Society and the Environment

• Eleventh annual report details progress across sustainability initiatives, supporting long-term financial, operational and reputational goals 
• Inaugural third-party limited assurance received for greenhouse gas inventory

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bread Financial (NYSE: BFH), a tech-forward financial services company providing simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions, today released its 2023 Sustainability Report, the latest formal annual reporting of Bread Financial’s commitment to transparency and accountability across its business practices. The 11^th annual report highlights how the company’s sustainability strategy encompasses corporate governance, disciplined risk management, customer experience, associate engagement, protecting our planet, and investing in our communities. 

“At Bread Financial, our responsibilities extend well beyond the financial solutions we provide,” said Ralph Andretta, president and CEO, Bread Financial. “We continue to fortify the foundations of our business to ensure we are well-positioned and resilient for the future, focusing on supporting our associates, brand partners, investors, customers and the communities we serve.” 

Through deeper cross-functional collaboration and engagement with key stakeholders, 2023 marked several significant milestones that underscore Bread Financial’s ongoing commitment to sustainability as an integrated part of the business strategy and overall approach to risk management. These milestones include: 

• Doubled down on financial health and wellness. In 2023, Breach Financial launched its Financial Education Hub, an online resource that focuses on topics such as understanding credit, responsible saving, and managing debt to help customers strengthen their financial knowledge on breadfinancial.com.  
• Created the Office of People, Policy and Governance. As part of Bread Financial’s People and Culture function, the office was established to dedicate focus on how the company manages and complies with the numerous and ever-changing human capital requirements and policies that govern and safeguard associates and the business.  
• Invested in associate career growth. Bread Financial launched a Career Navigator tool, an on-demand website containing all career development resources in one place, designed to guide associates and leaders on a path to career success. 
• Prioritized community initiatives that align with business priorities. $8 million was invested in the community through grants, investments, donations and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) commitments.   

“Our growth and success are a reflection of the guiding principles and priorities that define who we are as a company, and how we positively impact and deliver value to our associates, partners, customers, investors and communities,” said Dana Beckman, vice president and chief sustainability officer, Bread Financial. “Together, with the support of our Board of Directors, our leadership team, and all of my colleagues, I am proud of the work we’ve done to build upon our solid foundation and continue to accelerate and communicate progress related to our sustainability initiatives moving into 2024.”