Ethical Banking Just Makes Sense

I found a cool Internet bank called The Co-operative Bank. They have all the standard checking and savings accounts, investments and loan products. However, they are taking banking to the next level with ethical banking and lending practices, positive impact investments, and the support of human rights and the environment! The Co-operative Bank offsets all their current carbon emissions plus an extra 10 percent.

The investment products of The Co-operative Bank will not support any business or entity that:

• fails to uphold basic human rights;
• manufactures or transfers armaments or implements of torture;
• uses irresponsible marketing practices in developing countries;
• manufactures tobacco products;
• engages in currency speculation;
• develops genetically modified organisms (GMOs);
• has negative impacts on developing countries;
  
• patents indigenous knowledge;
• clones animals for non-medical purposes;
• engages in any activity contributing to global climate change (production of fossil fuels);
  
• produces chemicals linked to long term health issues and that remain in the environment;
• supports unsustainable harvesting of natural resources including timber and fish;
• uses animal testing for cosmetic or household products or ingredients;
• engages in intensive farming methods like caged egg production;
• supports blood sports or the use of animals or birds to catch, fight or kill each other; or,
• involves the fur trade.

Their The Co-operative Bank investment products and services will support:

• fair trade;
• labor rights in their operations and supply chains in developing countries;
• cooperatives;
• credit unions;
• community finance initiatives;
• recycling and sustainable waste management;
• renewable energy and energy efficiency;
• sustainable natural products and services, including timber and organic produce;
• the pursuit of ecological sustainability;
• development of alternatives to animal experimentation; and,
  
• farming methods which promote animal welfare like free range farming.

Visit The Co-operative Bank, sponsor of this post, and support banking with ethics and social responsibility. Well done!

Tags: ethical banking, environmental ethics, carbon offset