Itausa And Itau Holding Are Selected To Compose 2007/2008 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI)

Itau Holding is Selected to Integrate DJSI for the 8th Consecutive Year (Since the Index was Created), While Itausa Will be Part of DJS Index for the 4th Time in Eight Editions 


SAO PAULO, Brazil, Sept. 10  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Itausa - Investimentos Itau S.A. and Banco Itau Holding Financeira S.A. are pleased to inform that they have been selected to compose Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI) portfolio for its 2007/2008 edition, together with 316 other companies from all over the world. Itau remains the only Latin-American bank to participate in the index since its creation in 1999, while Itausa will integrate the index portfolio for the 4th time.

DJSI is made up of shares of companies of recognized corporate sustainability, that is, companies that are able to create value for their shareholders in the long run, as they can take advantage of business opportunities and manage risks associated with economic, environmental, and social factors. In other words, it takes into account not only the financial performance, but especially the company management quality that must integrate economic value with transparency, corporate governance and social and environmental responsibility as a form of long-term sustainability.

Since its implementation in January 1999, DJSI has become a significant reference for fund management institutions. Such institutions are based on their performance to make decisions on investments, and offer diversified products to their clients on the basis of shares of companies participating in DJSI, which are committed to sustainable economic, social, environmental, and cultural development. In August 2007, there were 47 fund managers in 15 different countries authorized to use the DJSI portfolio.

The new DJSI composition includes 318 companies from 24 countries, of which only 7 are Brazilian. The index is reviewed annually based on questionnaires delivered to companies and public information provided in annual reports, media channels, and websites for relations with investors. The survey comprised the top 2,500 companies per market value of the Dow Jones Global Index, representing 57 operation sectors. In each sector, only 10% of companies best classified in the sustainability ranking are selected to join the index, based on the analysis of some 30 items related to economic, social, and environmental performance of such companies. The survey and selection process is audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Itau Holding obtained the highest score in the bank sector in the following items: Anticrime Policy, Human Capital Development and Talent Retention. Itausa, on the other hand, obtained the highest score in Economic Dimension and the following items: Brand Management, Environmental Policy, and Vendor Guidelines.

Participating in the Dow Jones Index reflects Itausa and Itau Holding long-term commitment to such values as ethical business behavior, transparency, compliance with legality, corporate governance, and social, cultural and environmental responsibility. We believe that this commitment is a factor to maintain a sustainable growth and creation of value for our shareholders over the next coming years.

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Itausa - Investimentos Itau S.A.    Banco Itaú Holding Financeira S.A. 

DATASOURCE: Banco Itau Holding Financeira



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