Money Makes Change:
Banking
Billions of pounds move between bank accounts every day.
What do you know about ethical banking?
Faith and banking
God is concerned with how we use money. We are called to do good with our finances (1 Timothy 6:17-19), to love our neighbours and care for creation.
The money that we put into a bank helps it to do its work. A growing movement of Christians want to bank more ethically and campaign for a fairer, greener banking sector.
What’s the problem?
Many of the UK’s big banks lend to or invest in companies involved in nuclear weapons, fossil fuels, gambling and tax avoidance. What kind of world are our banks shaping?
Lots of people in the UK are unable to access essential financial services. What is your bank doing to tackle financial exclusion? Banks could help make society fairer.
Banking on a better world
Big banks have a lot of power. But we have power too. We can all speak up for a financial sector that works for the common good.
Some banks are good news for people and planet. As Christians we can champion these, and support ethical alternatives, like credit unions.
Find out how to take action below.
What can I do?
Learn more about the banking system
Banks could play a key role in shaping a fairer, greener world. But many are involved in funding companies and projects that harm people and planet.
Find out more about the top 5 least ethical banks in the UK.
Things need to change. Read our short guide to fairer, greener banking.
Who owns the banks? Watch this short video that explains the differences between banks, building societies and credit unions.
Explore the work of credit unions like Pentecostal Credit Union and Churches Mutual.
Take action
Concerned about the ethics of your current bank? Use the suggested questions in this guide to talk to your bank.
Want to switch? Use one of these links to identify a bank that is more aligned with your values:
Looking for an ethical bank for your church? Explore our analysis of four of the more ethical bank accounts for churches.
Champion the work of credit unions in your community. Credit unions offer ethical savings and fair, affordable loans.
Campaign with us
Banks are financing the world’s biggest plastic producers and polluters. Join our Don’t Bank on Plastics campaign to help end plastic pollution.
Add your name to our letter to HSBC urging them to take action on the global plastics crisis.
Reflect and pray
Jesus taught frequently on the topic of money. How does our faith shape our engagement with banks? Download this article about ethical banking – share it with your church and start a conversation.
Explore your motivation for choosing your current bank. What do you know about the way your bank behaves?
Creator God,
guide us to act justly with the resources entrusted to us.
Strengthen the movement for fairer, greener banking
and show us where and how to speak out for the common good.
Amen
Have you recently switched bank or engaged with your bank?
Get in touch and share your #MoneyMakesChange story with us.
I believe my money is making the world a better place, as my bank doesn’t just avoid lending to harmful businesses but actively seeks out good ones. John, Birmingham
I try to use my money to make society fairer. I save with a local mutual Building Society and hold community shares, a form of co-operative investment, in projects that I believe in. Richard, Birmingham
Share with others
I’m thinking about the ethics of my bank. Are you? Check out the #MoneyMakesChange resources for individuals and churches.