Banking on Change

The banking sector has immense potential to drive the change we need. By redirecting finance to align with global climate and sustainable development goals, banks can provide the investment and encouragement needed for businesses and industries to transition to a greener and fairer way of operating. Triodos Bank challenges the existing narrative and champions a new way to do finance.

How Triodos Bank is Leading the Way

In a world where the need for sustainable practices is more urgent than ever, we believe we stand out as a beacon of hope and innovation. With a mission to create a society that protects and promotes quality of life and human dignity for all, we have been at the forefront of sustainable banking since its inception in 1980 and has become a European leader in sustainable banking.

Our journey began with a focus on financing renewable energy projects, and it has since grown to support a wide range of sectors, including organic farming, social housing, and cultural initiatives, and many more. Read more about our vision on transformative impact below.

A Vision for Positive Change

Triodos Bank's purpose is to contribute to positive social, environmental, and cultural change by financing transformative projects. Our core values have remained steadfast for over 40 years, envisioning a world where the economy operates in harmony with nature, and all people have the necessary tools and resources to live fulfilling lives.

With over 740,000 customers across the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Spain and Germany, our sustainable financial products have enabled individuals and organisations to use their money in ways that benefit people and the environment.

Achieving this would not be possible without the whole-hearted support, effort, and commitment of our co-workers, customers and partners. This passionate community has helped us to become a pioneering force in sustainable banking. Read some inspiring stories from our customers below. 

Supporting Sustainable Businesses

We provide specialist, sustainable finance for businesses and organisations working to tackle the biggest challenges of our time. Our relationship managers are specialists in their sectors, understanding the challenges and opportunities faced by their clients. This mission-aligned partnership helps organisations thrive while delivering positive social, environmental, or cultural impact.

Transparency and Accountability

At Triodos Bank, transparency is a core value. We publish the details of every organisation we finance, allowing our customers to see exactly where their money goes and the positive difference it makes. This commitment to transparency extends to all aspects of our operations, making us accountable to our savers and investors.

Three reasons to join the change
 

  1. Transparency and Community

    At Triodos Bank, transparency is at the heart of everything we do. We openly publish the details of every organisation we finance, allowing our customers to see exactly where their money goes and the positive impact it creates. By banking with us, you join a community of change-makers who are pioneering sustainable banking and encouraging other organisations to adopt similar transparency.

  2. Positive Impact Lending

    Our mission is to lend money to organisations in the real economy that are working to bring about positive and lasting change. We finance a broad range of sectors, including renewable energy, organic farming, social housing, retail, charities, and education. Our clearly defined lending criteria ensure that we remain accountable to our savers and investors, making a tangible difference in the world.

  3. Changing the Financial System

    Triodos Bank is committed to changing the financial system from within. We believe in values-based banking and impact investing, proving that they can be commercially resilient. By financing progressive organisations and engaging with politicians and policymakers, we influence the banking sector to become more transparent, diverse, and sustainable. Join us in this journey to create a better financial future.

Our vision on transformative impact 


 

Triodos Bank's vision of transformative impact guides our journey towards a prosperous life for people on a thriving planet. It’s our vision of the world and the fundamental changes in our economy and society that are needed.

Our vision also aims to inspire change and stimulate dialogue about the transformation of our economy and society. The transformation we envision is only possible through a fundamental shift in our mindset and our behaviour. We must chart a different way forward to achieve a deep, systemic transformation. This requires a change in mindset towards the way we live, produce and consume.

This vision encompasses five interlinked areas where deep changes in human systems and institutions are needed:

  1. Food Transition: From a predominantly extractive food system to regenerative agriculture, fair supply chains, and healthy diets.

  2. Wellbeing Transition: From a narrow focus on material satisfaction to an economy that deeply values and nurtures broader individual wellbeing.

  3. Resource Transition: From a wasteful extract-use-dispose paradigm to an economy where resources are truly valued and used prudently.

  4. Societal Transition: From a society that incentivises competition and divisiveness to one rooted in solidarity and collaboration.

  5. Energy Transition: From fossil fuel-based energy production to renewable energy generation and energy efficiency.

 

Customer Stories

Triodos Bank's customers are passionate about making a difference. Here are some of their inspiring stories: 

Personal Banking Customers:

Georgina, customer at Triodos Bank

"It's important that I'm not putting my salary into something I don't believe in. I oppose arms manufacturing and the use of fossil fuels, for example, so it is contradictory to put my money into banks that support these things. I want to take my little pot away from banks that are doing things that I disagree with and focus it on positive things and making a change in the world".

 

Neil, customer at Triodos Bank

"The biggest factor for me was wanting to bank with an organisation that I knew wouldn't put my money anywhere near the fossil fuel industry, and I think Triodos Bank is one of the only options for that in the UK. Triodos put their hearts on their sleeves and say 'this is what we're about' - using money to improve the world".

 

 

Joanna, customer at Triodos Bank

"Banks have so much power in the world. They hold a huge amount of opportunity to change the status quo, so we need to support banks that share those values".

 

 

 

 

Sunit, customer at Triodos Bank

"I want my investments to work for people and planet. Not only do I not want my investments to facilitate the violation of human rights or destruction of the environment, but I also want them to have a positive impact".

 

 

 

Business Banking Customers:
 

RUSS, London's largest self-built community housing project

"If we have to imagine the world of the future we need to think about how we finance that. We need to fund projects that are going to have a beneficial legacy for generations to come".

Kareem Dayes, Founder of RUSS

Learn more about RUSS

 

 

ELITE, the social enterprise helping people with disabilities or disadvantages to access employment.

"This new finance is a catalyst that helps us to expand the offering at one of our key social enterprises, ELITE Paper Solutions, as well as allowing us to have the capital to reinvest in our projects and services, with the aim of helping more people and communities across Wales".

Andrea Wayman, CEO of ELITE SEA

Learn more about  ELITE

 

RSPB, The UK's largest conservation charity

"We hope that these new facilities will encourage even more people to spend time enjoying all our nature reserves have to offer as well as helping to boost income to support our important conservation work".

Shaun Thomas, Chief Operating Officer at the RSPB

Learn more about the RSPB

 

Trees for life, the conservation charity rewilding the Scottish highlands

"Scotland, the UK and the wider world need a place where rewilding can be explored, undertaken and shared. That is why we want to create the world's first rewilding centre at Dundreggan - to offer recreational and educational experiences for people of all ages to enjoy the natural landscape and learn about the forest and rewilding".

Steve Micklewright, CEO of Trees for Life

Learn more about Trees for Life


Triodos Bank invites everyone to join the movement for sustainable banking. By opening an account with Triodos, customers become part of a community of change-makers, pioneering sustainable banking and encouraging other organisations to be more transparent.