To begin this page, we here list what are generally considered to be
the only banks and investment / loan companies in Britain that trade ethically.
Sources for the information presented here are The Ethical Consumer magazine
and publications, The Rough Guide (http://www.roughguide-betterworld.com),
and Druid Network members.
See also the Where is Your Money article by Louise Sutherland.
CO-OPERATIVE BANK
This one is the only high street bank that has a strict ethical policy.
This means that it will not invest money in or from any organization that
doesn't meet its clear statement on ethical interaction, including human
and environmental issues.
In my experience, they can be a difficult bank to get going with in terms
of their initial efficiency, but are friendly and helpful overall, and
once the account is running the problems disappear. If you don't have
a branch of the Co Op Bank near you, you can use your local Post Office
(always worth supporting in rural areas!).
Their internet bank is called SMILE, voted best web-based
bank account by several prestigious organizations. NB >
If TDN were to recommend any bank, it would be the virtually paper-free
ethically sound SMILE.
http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk
http://www.smile.co.uk
Tel : 08457 212 212
PO Box 101, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester, M60 4EP
THE ECOLOGY BUILDING SOCIETY
A bank that focuses on sustainable and ethical housing and communities,
and generally improving the environment. They are not the cheapest, of
course, but friendly and worth exploring possibilities when looking for
a mortgage or loan.
http://www.ecology.co.uk
Tel : 0845 674 5566
7 Belton Road, Silsden, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD20 0EE
THE ETHICAL INVESTORS GROUP
Financial advice to individuals, charities and organizations who 'care
about the world and its preservation'.
http://www.ethicalinvestors.com
Tel : 01242 539 848
Montpellier House, 47 Rodney Road, Cheltenham GL50 1HX
THE ETHICAL INVESTMENT RESEARCH SERVICE
This group provides research for ethical investors so that they can make
informed choices.
http://www.eiris.org.uk
Tel : 020 7840 5700
80 - 84 Bondway, London SW8 1SF
TRIODOS BANK
What I like about Triodos is that it actively or positively invests in
ethical projects and organizations; in other words, while the Co-Op avoids
the unethical, Triodos only supports the ethical. Working only with companies
and charities that create real environmental and social change worldwide,
they are a truly inspirational bank. Don't expect it to be cutting edge
in terms of competetive fees though, and, like the Co-Op, they can be
hard to get started.
http://www.triodos.co.uk
Tel : 0117 973 9339
Brunel House, 11 The Promenade, Bristol BS8 3NN
