Charity Bank

Info:  Is a bridge between people who would like to have a deposit account that benefits society, and organisations that can deliver excellent charitable solutions. Affordable loans and advice for charities and community enterprises. Accounts that deliver social as well as financial returns.

Co-operative & Community Finance

Info:  Has been providing loan finance for co-operatives, employee owned businesses and social enterprises for 30 years. These organisations raise money primarily by public share issue, and the Co--operative & Community Finance lend it for social purpose and collective benefit. It also manages loan funds for several other organisations, providing co-operative and community finance. It is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the conduct of investment business.

Ecology Building Society

Info:  Not all financial institutions are the same -- they are a building society with a difference. When you place your savings with them, you help to fund mortgages that lead to a more sustainable future. And if you have plans for a property or project that will improve our shared environment, take a look at their mortgages first.

Opportunity International

Info:  Provides microfinance -- micro loans, savings and insurance -- to the world’s poorest people who want to work their own way out of poverty.

Smile

Info:  In 1992, The Co-operative Bank launched its Ethical Policy, after customers said they'd like to see their money invested ethically. From day one, it was decided that the Policy should reflect the ethical concerns of customers, not the management -- on the basis that its customers' money is being invested.

December 2001 saw the first Ethical Policy Review to include smile customers -- this is because they're part of The Co-operative Bank. The Ethical Policy sets out which businesses they will and will not provide services to.

The Co-operative Bank

Info:  The bank's Ethical Policy was introduced in 1992 to set out precisely what ethical standards would govern the types of businesses the bank would and would not offer services to. When looking to determine 'what ethics to embrace', it was necessary to consider 'whose ethics to embrace'. The bank chose to base its Ethical Policy on the concerns of its customers, on the basis that it is generally their money that is being used, and they should have a say in how it is used.

Tridos Bank

Info:  They actively seek out businesses whose values and ideas will make a positive difference. They’re behind some of the UK’s best known renewable energy companies, and hundreds of organic and sustainable initiatives. The companies and organisations they invest money in are the best in the world, not simply because they operate sustainably, but because they take the future into account in everything they do.

YouthBank UK

Info:  Is a new and innovative UK-wide grantmaking initiative, run by young people for young people. Local YouthBanks provide small grants to projects led by young people, of benefit to the community and that also benefit the young people taking part. YouthBank is unique in that it is young people themselves who make decisions about how local YouthBanks are managed and run and, through a Board of young people, also direct the UK-wide programme.

But YouthBank is more than just a way of giving out grants – it is about supporting and training young people to enable them, through grantmaking and related activity, to benefit other young people and the community, as well as themselves. YouthBank builds on young people’s skills and experiences to enable them to reach their full potential and to play a full part in their own communities.