9 Certified B Corp Banks Using Your Finances To Do Good
Bank practices like financing fossil fuels are at odds with our values, and we can’t help but feel short-changed. The alternative?
Choosing an environmentally and socially responsible bank that uses your money to accomplish a greater mission. B Corp certification ensures that banks (and companies of all kinds) meet high social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency.
So, which B Corp banks fit the bill?
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The Best B Corp Certified Banks For Ethical Banking
It’s a bright new day for the banking industry, with B Corp banks like Aspiration leading the charge on financial inclusion, community engagement, and partnership building.
For nearly a century, Amalgamated Bank has supported important causes such as climate justice, racial justice, and LBTQ rights.
Of the UK’s certified B Corp banks, Triodos funds green energy, organic farming, affordable housing projects, and more.
The Full List Of B Corp Banks Balancing Profit with Purpose
B Corp Banks in USA
- Aspiration | Start Banking
- Beneficial State Bank | Start Banking
- Sunrise Banks | Start Banking
- Amalgamated Bank | Start Banking
- Climate First | Start Banking
B Corp Banks in UK
B Corp Banks in USA
1. Aspiration
*See superscript hyperlink for disclosures
Products: Online spend-and-save plans, investment, and Individual Retirement Accounts.
Fees: No monthly fees on standard accounts. Instead, you have the option to ‘Pay What Is Fair.’ Aspiration Plus costs $5.99/month (billed annually) or $7.99/month (billed monthly).
Credentials: 1% for the Planet member, Climate Neutral Certified.
Newly recertified B-Corp Aspiration1 provides an innovative online banking solution that emphasizes customer and environmental well-being through various initiations, like their Redwood sustainable investing options and Pay What Is Fair fee structure that donates 10% directly to environmental nonprofits focused on climate initiatives like reforestation.
Their coolest program, however, is the new Plant Your Change program2, which rounds up purchases made with an Aspiration debit card or linked credit card to fund trees that help fight climate change. Plus, the account comes with a debit card made from recycled plastic.
If you’re concerned about the carbon footprint of your commute, Aspiration’s Planet Protection program3 offers an easy solution. By using your Aspiration Plus account debit card, the company will automatically offset the carbon emissions from every gallon of gas you purchase. You can also enjoy up to 6% cash back4 when you shop the Green Marketplace of climate-friendly brands we know and love, like Avocado, Warby Parker, Levis Second Hand, and Thrive Market.
2. Beneficial State Bank
Products: Personal banking (checking, savings, loans, online and mobile banking), business banking, and banking for non-profits. They’re also one of the best B Corp banks that offer credit cards.
Fees: Free online checking account, $5/month for a standard account, $10/month for an interest-earning checking account, and savings accounts from $5/month. All monthly fees are reduced by $2/month for selecting e-statements, and fees are waived with a minimum balance (see account type for details) and for students, service people, and those over 55.
Credentials: Certified B Corp, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) member, and Fossil-Free Certified by Bank.Green.
With seven branches throughout California, Oregon, and Washington, Beneficial State Bank is one of the best B Corp banks for West Coast residents.
Committed to developing triple-bottom-line banking standards, they work closely with other banks and banking associations, racial equity experts, and financial justice advocates.
At least 75% of loans go to organizations creating a more socially just and sustainable world, such as clean energy and affordable housing projects. Read more about their eco-efforts in their latest impact report.
3. Sunrise Banks
Products: Personal banking, commercial lending and leasing, fintech partnerships, and government lending focused on net zero financing, New Markets Tax Credits, and SBA lending.
Fees: Personal checking accounts range from $0 to $10 per month (waived by meeting monthly qualifications).
Credentials: Certified B Corp, GABV member, and a certified CDFI.
Covering Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, Sioux Falls, and South Dakota, Sunrise Banks is one of the highest-rated B Corp banks and has been named “Best for the World” for nine consecutive years.
The bank gives back to the local community through volunteer efforts, local partnerships, and charitable donations.
Committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, Sunrise Banks measures the carbon impact of its operations and loan portfolio through the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF). For more environmentally friendly nuggets, read their latest impact report.
4. Amalgamated Bank
Products: Personal banking (checkings, savings, credit cards, mortgages, loans, socially responsible investing), small business banking, commercial banking, and institutional investing.
Fees: $0-$3 for personal checking accounts,
Credentials: Certified B Corp and GABV member.
Self-labeled “the bank for change-makers,” Amalgamated Bank is a B Corp certified bank committed to dismantling systems of discrimination and oppression.
For over 100 years, they’ve supported important movements, including climate justice, immigrant rights, LBTQ rights, racial justice, worker’s rights, and over 1000 unions. 60% of their workforce are women or POC.
Amalgamated Bank is also leading the way with climate action. They have published Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated climate targets, use 100% renewable energy for their offices, and have achieved over four years of net-zero operations.
5. Climate First
Products: Personal banking (checking, savings, and loans) and business banking, including specialized loans for solar panels, EV charging, and building retrofits.
Fees: No monthly fees for checking accounts unless you opt for paper statements. Monthly fees for saving accounts range from $0-£15, waived by a minimum daily balance (see individual account options for details).
Credentials: Certified B Corp and a member of GABV, 1% for the Planet, and the UN’s Net-Zero Banking Alliance.
Joining the ranks of B Corp banks, Florida-based Climate First achieved its B Corp certification last year. Already, they’ve donated over $111,000 to non-profits via their 1% for the Planet membership and supported 455 social and environmental projects with loans.
Carbon Neutral from the onset, Climate First never invests in fossil fuels and is helping to make solar energy more accessible via its fintech affiliate, OneEthos. Read more in their latest impact report.
6. Triodos Bank
Products: Personal banking (current accounts, savings, investments), business banking (loans, capital raising), and charity banking (loans, capital raising).
Fees: £3/month for a personal current account.
Credentials: Certified B Corp, founding member of GABV and PCAF, and a member of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF).
Triodos is one of the most popular B Corp online banks for the UK and Europe, with over 740,000 customers in five countries (the UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Germany).
They invest only in projects that benefit people and the planet: cultural (including arts and education), environmental (including renewable energy and organic farming), and social. They publish details of all loan recipients on their website.
The bank aims to reach net zero by 2035 by cutting carbon in its operations and across its loans and investment portfolios by financing carbon sequestration and renewable energy projects.
Triodos received the British Bank Awards for Best Ethical Financial Provider for three consecutive years and an Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label. They also received a score of 95% from NGO Sinergia Animal in its 2021 report on animal welfare—the highest score among 69 banks.
7. Charity Bank
Products: Savings (personal, charity, and business savings accounts) and loans for charities and social enterprises.
Credentials: Certified B Corp, GABV member, Responsible Finance Association member, Certified Social Enterprise by Social Enterprise UK, Fossil-Free Certified by Bank.Green.
UK-based Charity Bank is an ethical savings and loans bank “with a mission to use money for good.” The only bank to be certified as a social enterprise by Social Enterprise UK, it uses your savings to lend to charities and numerous other social enterprises.
Charity Bank has also received an Ethical Consumer Best Buy label for their savings accounts and a Silver Level accreditation from The Investors in the Environment (iiE).
8. Algbra
Products: Mobile banking
Fees: It’s free to download the app and create an account.
Credentials: Certified B Corp
About Algbra
For those seeking remote B Corp banks, Algbra is a UK-based finance app that offers a Mastercard debit card, cashback on everyday spending and various tools including a carbon tracker, offsetting, and Donate channel.
They do not invest in arms, fossil fuels, gambling, or tobacco, and 10% of annual profits are donated to charity. Algbra X is their social impact foundation, a registered charity that supports underrepresented communities through partnership work.
9. Plend
Products: Affordable loans
Credentials: Certified B Corp
About Plend
Plend aims to make “the UK financially inclusive by offering sustainable, affordable loans.” They estimate that 80% of their customers would be financially excluded.
The PLEND Score® uses open banking to assess each customer’s affordability for a fairer, more personalized loan application process.
Plend is the first consumer lender in the UK to become B Corp Certified. They have also created Social Credit, a Community Interest Company that partners with charities to provide affordable and interest-free loans to those who need them most and fund green initiatives.
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