NEW YORK, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Bank of New York Mellon, (NYSE: BK) the global leader in asset management and securities servicing, announced that it has earned a top rating of 100 percent in the 2009 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The Index rates employers on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees, consumers and investors. Ratings are based on factors such as non-discrimination policies, diversity training and domestic partner benefits for employees.

'Diversity is the key to excellence. And we are committed to both,' said Robert P. Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of The Bank of New York Mellon. 'We're known for our absolute client focus and recognize that an inclusive, diverse environment fuels our success.'

'We are pleased with the progress our company continues to make in attracting and developing a diverse workforce,' said Brian Rogan, chief risk officer. Rogan is the executive sponsor of the company's Prism affinity network, which strives to promote a workplace in which all GLBT employees are fully included in corporate life. Rogan stressed that the tireless efforts of Susan Whitewood and Bruce Miller, who co-chair the Prism network, foster outreach to GLBT employees and the GLBT community at large, thereby contributing to the company's growth and its role as a leading corporate citizen.

'Susan, Bruce and the Prism Leadership Team should be proud of their work on behalf of our GLBT affinity group over the past year. Through their efforts, we have expanded the group to include more employees, reflecting the growth of our company in key markets around the world,' he said.

Whitewood, a senior vice president and chief administrative officer for the Credit Underwriting Group of Client Management, has been a founding co-chair since Prism's inception in 2004. Miller is an executive vice president and manages the company's Global Strategic Sales Division.

The CEI is sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the United States' largest civil rights organization working to achieve GLBT equality. For more information on the 2009 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. The company is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has more than $23 trillion in assets under custody and administration, more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management and services $12 trillion in outstanding debt. Additional information is available at bnymellon.com.

SOURCE The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation