History of the Research Foundation
The foundation's predecessor, Osuuspankkijärjestön Tutkimussäätiö, was founded by the supervisory council of Osuuspankkien Keskuspankki Oy (OKO) on 17 April 1972. The establishment of the foundation was part of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Osuuspankkien Keskuspankki Oy. In 1991, the foundation was renamed OP Bank Group Research Foundation, OP-Pohjola Group Research Foundation in 2008, and OP Research Foundation in 2015.
OKO donated 250,000 Finnish markka as initial capital for the foundation. In the early years, the foundation was mainly funded by annual donations from OKO and its subsidiaries. The importance of donations decreased once income from the foundation's investments began to grow. Since 1987, the foundation has not received donations and has funded its operations solely with income from investments.
When the foundation was established, its stated mission was to support and promote economic research, particularly research related to cooperative banking operations.
The foundation's primary activities include distributing grants, awarding dissertations in the field of finance, awarding possible inducement and lifetime achievement awards and organising theme days on topical issues.
The seventieth birthday of OKO Bank's long-standing Supervisory Board Chair, Professor Kyösti Haataja, was celebrated by the establishment of Kyösti Haataja Foundation. The Kyösti Haataja Foundation was merged into OP Research Foundation, and this was registered on 31 July 2019.
Board of the Research Foundation
The Board of Trustees represents the foundation and manages its affairs and finances. The foundation's Board consists of ten (10) members.
Board of Trustees
- Annukka Nikola, MSc (Econ.), Chair of the Board of Trustees
- Tarja Jurmu, Attorney-at-law, Entrepreneur, Vice Chair
- Jaakko Kiander, CEO
- Jukka Kola, Rector
- Jukka Mönkkönen, Rector
- Jaakko Pehkonen, rahoitusneuvos (Finnish honorary title)
- Elina Pylkkänen, Under-Secretary of State
- Timo Ritakallio, President and Group CEO
- Markku Sotarauta, Professor
- Matti Suominen, Professor
The Board has appointed two committees, the scientific committee and finance committee.
Investment strategy of the Research Foundation
The aim of the foundation's investment activities is to generate a steady income and grow the value of assets to secure the continuity of operations as the foundation fulfils the long-term mission defined in its rules. The primary aim is to ensure a steady income to use for grants. The foundation's Board is responsible for the careful management of assets in accordance with the annually confirmed investment strategy.
The foundation has diversified its assets broadly in different asset classes and takes the need for cash flow into account by selecting investments that pay annual dividends or other returns.
The foundation's asset management complies with all applicable laws and official guidelines, the foundation's investment plan, and other decisions and instructions issued by the foundation's Board. The foundation complies with the instructions of the Finnish Foundations Act on closely associated persons and insiders.
The foundation strives to invest its assets sustainably and is committed to promoting the principles of responsible investment. Investment activities must follow generally accepted environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. The foundation requires the asset manager to have signed the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and observes them in its investment activities. In addition, the asset manager must sign the Net Zero Asset Managers Commitment to indicate its commitment to working towards the initiative's climate goals. The foundation monitors the development of sustainable and responsible investing regularly with ESG reports submitted by the asset manager.
Collaboration with other foundations
OP Research Foundation is a member of the Association of Finnish Foundations. The association provides interest representation and training for its members, publishes guidelines and studies related to the field, and advises grant applicants.