Would it not be desirable to have an influence on what happens to one’s own money? Unfortunately, traditional banks invest our fortune in atomic weapons and the arm industry, in food speculations as well as in nuclear and coal power, among other things, without our knowledge. These non-transparent financial operations, however, are ethically indefensible for many people. The good new is: there are green banks which use our money meaningfully and thereby support sustainable and social projects!
The GLS bank describes itself as the first social-ecological full-service bank worldwide and as the only green bank which offers funds, financing, venture capital, donations and endowments from a single source. It unveils all its loans and investments before its customers and thereby does not only provide sustainable, but also transparent banking services. Their capital investments fund only enterprises and projects which create or maintain development opportunities for us and our future generation. Thereby, the GLS bank prioritises the sectors energy, habitation, education and culture.
Europe’s leading bank when it comes to sustainability is the Triodos bank, according to its own account. It finances only companies, institutions and projects which create added value for people and the environment. Hereby, mainly initiatives are supported which promote renewable energies, ecological agriculture and social projects.
As ethical-ecological direct bank, the Ethikbank solely invests in ecologically and socially useful measures like sustainable construction projects, regenerative energy and electromobility. It is very transparent and radically exposes all its investments and credits. Moreover, the Ethikbank has really strict criteria for granting those, as all companies which are financed by it have to actively espouse a sustainable economy system. In addition to that, it patronises one ethical, one environmental and one women’s project.
Into environmental protection and eco-friendly projects, all the money of the mere ecological Umweltbank is flowing. Especially renewable energies, ecological agriculture and recycling measures are supported by it. However, the Umweltbank does not offer giro accounts, but economizers, stocks, fundings and retirement arrangements.