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Stories

Behind every bank in the Alliance there are millions of people and organisations using money to create positive economic, social and environmental impact. These stories share a profoundly different perspective on how banking can, and should work.

For us, banking begins with meeting human needs in socially and environmentally responsible ways and as a means to that end, finishes with profitable banks deploying all their people, capital and resources to deliver balanced impact.

This approach to GABV storytelling was first launched at an exhibition during the GABV Annual Meeting 2013 in Berlin. The exhibition was accompanied with a book, Change Makers – The Stories Behind the Values-based Banks Transforming the World. Learn more.

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Our bank stories

A Campaign To Lift Up Workers

Amalgamated Bank

In recent years, a nationwide movement has emerged calling for a $15 per hour minimum wage for the 42 percent of the... Read more

A charcoal seller goes international

Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd

Madam Joyce Boateng is into the sale of a variety of products which she started about Twenty-Two years ago. She got to... Read more

A farmer from Yaruquí

Banco Codesarrollo

Agustina Chicaiza is a farmer from Yaruquí, a rural area located in the highlands close to Quito, Ecuador. She has... Read more

A Kindergarten In Nature

GLS Bank

At the wonderful little park Glienicke near Berlin lies an old hunting lodge, the Jägerhof, originally part of the... Read more

A partnership between private foundations and a financial institution by the Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins

Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins

The Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins is proud to announce that one of its products has been chosen to be among... Read more

A solar park for the citizens of Merkendorf

UmweltBank

Idyllically situated in the Franconian Lake District is the small town of Merkendorf. With 2,800 inhabitants, the town... Read more

A Stitch in Time Saves Charulata

ESAF Small Finance Bank

Charulata Rajesh (40) has been a long-time ESAF JLG member and a shining example of how the right combination of hard... Read more

Supporting A Growers-owned Tea Factory

Centenary Bank

Mpanga Growers Tea Factory is one of four factories formerly owned by Uganda Tea Growers Corporation. The corporation... Read more

NMA Solar Panels

Accelerating Growth in Rural Nepal Through Solar Power

NMB Bank Limited

Mahasher Rai runs a stationary shop and a press in the Chyasmitar village of Khotang district. He also has a computer... Read more

Affordable Financing Program for Minority Business Owners

Lead Bank

The Civic Contractor Funding Program (CCFP) formerly known as the “For Change Initiative” is a one-of-a-kind... Read more

Always Supporting Entrepreneurs On Their Expansion Projects In Honduras

Banco Popular

Rosa Leticia Ramirez is an entrepreneur in Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán Department of Honduras. Rosa started her... Read more

Ana and Lilian, entrepreneurs worthy of admiration

Banco de Antigua

Banco de Antigua, in its commitment to support microentrepreneurs in the growth of their business (merchandise, local... Read more

Banking On The Future: Children’s Financial Literacy In Cambodia

Teachers Mutual Bank Limited

The goal of Credit Union Foundation Australia’s (CUFA) Children’s Financial Literacy (CFL) Program is to... Read more

Bringing financial literacy to Souther Russia communities

Center-invest Bank

Center-invest Bank’s social and educational projects aim to increase the importance attached to quality education in... Read more

Flexible, Environmentally Conscious Daycare

Vancity

Buddings creates a flexible and sustainable daycare for Vancouver families on the go with the help of a Vancity microloan. Read more

Building Better Lives For Ex-Offenders

Triodos Bank

When Jim left prison he was determined to turn his life around. After applying for 100 jobs, and being rejected at... Read more

Building a Store Together with Lexington Real Foods

National Cooperative Bank

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without NCB…The process has been great.” When Lexington Real Foods... Read more

Building stories of progress

Mibanco Colombia

Edwin Gómez inherited from his father the art of cheese production. It went from being a craft company to being a mass... Read more

Business Development In Bangladesh

BRAC Bank

Mr. Faizuddin was inspired to set up an agricultural business, having learnt from his father’s Rice Mill and Poultry... Read more

Business Loans to Build Young Entrepreneurs

ESAF Small Finance Bank

Mr Shyju lives with his parents in a small home in the village of Mailippadam, Thrissur. Shyju’s father... Read more

The Charitable Arm for the Bank’s Customers and Public

Bank Muamalat

As at to-date, Wakaf Selangor Muamalat, a joint venture service between Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad with PWS, aimed... Read more

Climate Protection

GLS Bank

GLS Bank, in Germany, practices sustainable banking to protect the climate and to decrease CO2 emissions. In... Read more

Colonial Estate Homeowners Association Says ‘We Own It’

National Cooperative Bank

To the 148 members of Colonial Estate Homeowners Association, nothing symbolizes their new ownership status more than... Read more

Entrepreneurs Benefit From 'Preventing Accidents' Programme

Caja Arequipa

The terrible fire that reduced the Centro Comercial Asia Arequipa to ashes still burns in the memories of more than 120... Read more

Community Donation Program

MagNet Hungarian Community Bank

‘We are passionate about social commitment. We provide our clients the opportunity to support good causes easily.... Read more

Creating A Clean Energy Ecosystem

VSECU (Vermont State Employees Credit Union)

VSECU provides affordable access to funding that supports energy efficient homes, green transportation and local... Read more

Cultivating biological superfood in the unique Agrafa mountains

Cooperative Bank of Karditsa (CBK)

Agromenelais farm “ANS” is a family-run business located in the mountains of “Agrafa”, in central Greece at an... Read more

Cultivating Sustainable Partnerships

With a formidable vision of a brighter future for her family, Rosemadelyn Dela Marquez from Oriental Mindoro knows and... Read more

Danish Organics

Merkur Cooperative Bank

Merkur Cooperative Bank, in Denmark, has helped to finance more than 2,000 companies, institutions and projects within... Read more

E-Rickshaw Making Life Easier

ESAF Small Finance Bank

Pushpa Chaitram Dekate has been a Sangam member of Sadar Branch of ESAF, Maharashtra since last 10 years. For... Read more

Ecological Fruit & Vegetables. For Delivery, Or At A Gourmet Eco. Restaurant

Cultura Bank

Norway is blessed with many small producers of high quality ecological food, but often they are too small to deliver to... Read more

Empowering Women With Disabilities Through Employment

Alternative Bank Switzerland

Hotel Marta was founded by a charitable organisation, Frauenhotel AG Zürich, to provide employment for women with... Read more

Enabling the passion of a new generation of peacebuilders

Kindred Credit Union

While we’re used to hearing of innovation in the fields of science and technology, at the University of Waterloo,... Read more

Energy Efficiency In The Coldest Capital Of The World

XacBank

Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital city in the world. Between September and May, temperatures regularly drop to below... Read more

How Renewable Energy Technology Is Keeping Farming Alive

Beneficial State Bank

Kevin and Daryl Maas are natives of Skagit County of Washington state and grew up surrounded by dairy farmers in the... Read more

Merkur

Farming For Future Generations

Merkur Cooperative Bank

Bjarne Krog was raised on a farm and has always had an interest in farming: ‘I love to see and help things grow.... Read more

Financing Fair Trade and Organic Food Products

Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins

La Siembra sells fair trade organic Camino products including coffee, cocoa and sugar and received funding from the... Read more

Flower Making Changes Lives For Business Women In Balkh Province

The First MicroFinance Bank-Afghanistan (FMFB-A)

Forty-year old Zahra is arranging plastic flowers and beads in a newly built room in her house. She carefully separates... Read more

From City to Village

Muktinath Bikas Bank Limited (MNBBL)

In pursuit of happiness and a bright future for self and upcoming generation, large rural population migrated to the... Read more

From Convict To Craftsman: Re-Skilling Former Inmates

Banca Etica

The Messina Community Foundation was founded to promote personal development to vulnerable adults by integrating... Read more

From Insurance to Savings: The Case For Integral

SAC Apoyo Integral, S.A.

In 2009, in a pioneering partnership with an insurance sector leader, SAC Apoyo Integral began offering clients access... Read more

Micro Entrepreneurs: Supporting Farmers

SAC Apoyo Integral, S.A.

Jairo, has a farming business. He is constantly working to support his family and Jairo also supports the local... Read more

Fulfilling a dream of owning a home

Vision Banco

In Paraguay, the housing deficit in 2010 was almost 1,000,000 houses, the financial market did not offer a solution to... Read more

Gender diversity and inclusion within the workforce

CDC Investment Works

For our portfolio company IIFL CDC enhanced gender diversity and inclusion within the workforce through gender... Read more

Growing the Local Economy Through the Traditional Cuisine from Nariño in Colombia

Banco Mundo Mujer

This woman, born in a rural zone of Nariño, southern Colombia, married and with four children, is a client of Mundo... Read more

Reviving Farming, Jobs And Communities

Southern Bancorp

Phillips County sits in what was once one of the most prosperous parts of America – the Arkansas Delta. Agriculture... Read more

Holzmarkt / Eyecandy Berlin

Holzmarkt – The living room for art and culture in Berlin

UmweltBank

In German cities, it is getting harder and harder for residents to find affordable accommodation due to a lack of flats... Read more

How Sustainable Housing Is Helping To Build Resilient Communities

Ecology Building Society

Growing up in the small rural village of High Bickington, Devon, Ian knew he wanted to stay as near to home as possible... Read more

From Humble Beginnings to the Mattress Business

The First MicroFinance Bank – Tajikistan

At 45, Jobirova Lola is a successful entrepreneur owning a thriving business in the capital of Tajikistan employing 52... Read more

Ibtikar Fund: Innovation Fund Investing In Youth

Bank of Palestine

With youth unemployment at 50% and with entrepreneurs not having early stage financing, Bank of Palestine stepped in to... Read more

Increasing access to inclusive financial services for Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in Nigeria

Grooming Microfinance Bank

Funmilayo Adejuwon is an entrepreneur engaged in building materials and supplies at Ojoo, Ibadan, Oyo state. Funmi... Read more

Inspiring Japan through Festivals

DAI-ICHI KANGYO Credit Cooperative (DKC)

Omatsuri Japan is a company with the motto “Inspire Japan through festivals”. “Omatsuri” is the Japanese word... Read more

LAPO Skills Acquisition Scheme

LAPO Microfinance Bank

Nigeria has a very vibrant young population. A considerable number of young people are out of school due to... Read more

Remitly Providing Much-Needed Money Transfers to Immigrants During COVID-19

Sunrise Banks

Remitly is doing the seemingly impossible during COVID-19 – thriving. The Seattle-based remittance startup saw 200%... Read more

Making possible for a rural community to save their Tearoom and meeting place

Charity Bank

Holne Community Shop & Tea Room is owned by the community, for the community and provides not only services but a... Read more

Measuring Our Impact

Clearwater Credit Union

Interview with Paul Herendeen, Director of Impact Market Development at Clearwater Credit Union An important part of... Read more

On the Road to Desbele’s Dreams

Clearwater Credit Union

The average time it takes a refugee to be resettled is two years—that is two years of waiting and wondering what is... Read more

Opportunity In the Midst Of Despair

Banco Ademi

Jose Merán, a customer since 2013, is one example of thousands of inspiring stories from Banco Ademi customers who... Read more

Overcoming Social Exclusion Through Enterprise

Crédit Coopératif

Groupe SOS started in 1984 when Jean-Marc Borello created the association SOS Drogue International, which tackles drug... Read more

Promoting energy saving and environment protection

Megabank

Apart from more standardized credit products intended for business development, Megabank also makes emphasis on... Read more

Vancity Helps Recycling Alternative Drive Zero Waste

Vancity

Some businesses seek to fill the world with their products. But for Recycling Alternative it’s all about getting to... Read more

Recycling elements to serve as organic fertilizer

BANFONDESA (Savings and Credit Bank FONDESA)

Talking with Vianel Rivas Díaz is a sign that service and human quality flow from noble hearts. She is a 50-year-old... Read more

Secure Housing For Vulnerable Adults In Minneapolis

Sunrise Banks

Supportive Living Solutions (SLS) provides safe, secure housing and services for adults living with chemical... Read more

Secure Housing For Women Escaping Domestic Violence

Bank Australia

Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI) provides long-term safe and secure housing for women and their children, many of... Read more

Sewing And Self-sufficiency In Bolivia

BancoSol

‘I started to work in dressmaking and sewing in a company with Korean owners. But my salary was very low and not... Read more

Side By Side With Micro-entrepreneurs

Banco Solidario

María Chicaiza has been a client of Banco Solidario since 2004. She has a 17 year old son. María began with one small... Read more

Sowing Hope in Seattle

Verity Credit Union

At Verity Credit Union, our mission is to enhance members’ lives by building trusted relationships and vibrant... Read more

Supporting Australia’s retirees

G&C Mutual Bank

Summary G&C Mutual Bank developed the Retirees Access Home Loan to support those who have reached, or are nearing,... Read more

Supporting Dairy Farming - Skäve Gård (farm)

Ekobanken

The situation for dairy farmers in Sweden is becoming severe: many farms are closing because of generation shifts and... Read more

Supporting Small Local Producers in Their Path to Success

Cooperativa Abaco

The Credit Union ABACO expands their financial services around all the regions in PERU, but especially in two regions... Read more

Supporting The Rudolf Steiner School Movement

Freie Gemeinschaftsbank Genossenschaft

The Rudolf Steiner Schule Mayenfels in Pratteln has been a privately owned school and an alternative to mainstream... Read more

Tanaina- A Gathering Place

National Cooperative Bank

Child Development Center Finds a Permanent Home Thanks to Community and Partners After two years operating in temporary... Read more

The Vegetarian Butcher

Triodos Bank

Producing imitation meat which is indistinguishable from real meat. Or perhaps even tastier. That’s the mission of... Read more

Turning Coconut Fibre Into Carpet Threads, Bangladesh

BRAC Bank

For Mustafa Bepara, his venture provides more than just employment opportunities. ‘It is not a business, it is my... Read more

Providing Access To Affordable Health Care

City First Bank N.A.

  City First Bank has used the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program to raise private sector capital to finance... Read more

When passion becomes the goal

North East Small Finance Bank

Twenty six years ago little did Dibya Thakuria know that her passion for nurturing familial cows in her home would sow... Read more

Where love is found in every piece of wood

3 Bank

Gorjana Ponjević Ballani is an unusual woman on at least two grounds. First, she is an exceptional carpenter and... Read more

Wind of Change: Litzendorf-Hohenellern Citizen Wind Farm

UmweltBank

One of the biggest issues of our time is the sustainable generation of energy to produce electricity and heat without... Read more

Nurturing Bolivian Greenhouse Farming

Banco FIE

Saturnina is a Bolivian entrepreneur who lives in the Valley Achocalla, a town located 30 kilometres from the city of... Read more

Youth Patrol collects bottles to protect the environment

Folkesparekassen and Hvinningdal Sports Association HA85 in Silkeborg have joined forces for a Youth Patrol, where... Read more