For Banking on Values Day 2022 on 10 November, the theme “Real impact behind the big words” focuses on how values-based banks remain authentic and true to their values and achieve real impact. The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) and its members are committed to eight values that describe our movement:
Intentional
Values-based banks are intentional in creating social and environmental impact. It’s why they exist, and this intentionality guides everything they do.
Coherent
Values-based banks take a holistic and coherent approach to the design of their business model, being aware about potential conflicts and challenges
Contextual
The values are reflected, intentionally and appropriately, to bring positive social and environmental impact in a specific context.
Transparent
Values-based banks are accountable at all levels of the business model. Transparency enables outsiders to easily understand how a bank is behaving.
Systemic
Values-based banks work with others to change the banking system itself so it is better able to serve people and protect the environment
Authentic
Values-based banks are genuinely authentic by being intentional in what they do and integrating values in their business
Inclusive
Values-based banks aim to build an inclusive financial system that responds to the needs of everyone, and not just a few
Ambitious
Values-based banks aspire to the highest standards and want to be recognised as thought leaders at the forefront of progressive banking
The GABV’s member banks have a shared commitment to find local solutions to global problems – and to promote a positive, viable alternative to the current financial system. These organisations believe that we must improve the quality of life for everyone on the planet, recognising that we are economically interdependent and responsible to current and future generations.
About the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV)
The GABV is a network of independent banks using finance to deliver sustainable economic, social and environmental development. The GABV comprises 70+ financial institutions operating in 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Australia, Latin America, North America and Europe. Collectively they serve more than 60 million customers and hold over US$210 billion of combined assets under management. Learn more at www.gabv.org
For the majority of banking institutions, the primary or exclusive driver of business decisions is based on the profitability of the services provided, even if the by-products of those decisions do not deliver sustainable economic, environmental or social development.
For GABV members, business decisions start by identifying a human need to be met, and then establishing how to meet that need in a way that is sustainable from an environmental, social and economic perspective, including sustainable profitability for the bank. In being a member of the alliance, each bank would live by these six principles:
Principle 1
Social and environmental impact and sustainability are at the heart of the business model.
Principle 2
Grounded in communities, serving the real economy and enabling new business models to meet the needs of both.
Principle 3
Long-term relationships with clients and a direct understanding of their economic activities and the risks involved.
Principle 4
Long-term, self-sustaining, and resilient to outside disruptions.
Principle 5
Transparent and inclusive governance.
Principle 6
All of these principles embedded in the culture of the financial institution.
In January 2021, G&C Mutual Bank became an Associate Member of the GABV, and is one of only four Australian banks (all mutual banks) to have attained membership in an international network of frontrunner organisations and leaders in the banking industry that use finance to serve people and the planet. We look forward to reinforcing our mission to provide our members and communities with highly valued products and services in a manner that is financially sustainable. The GABV promotes a positive, viable banking model that’s focused on meeting human needs and sustainability, which supports our brand ethos – Banking on your community.
G&C Mutual Bank recognises the importance of further developing its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, and as such, we are currently working on a number of key initiatives which we are excited to share in more detail with our members in due course.
