Aligning Your Money With Your Values: Ethical Banking Options (2025)

Just about everyone has a checking account, and most people have at least one savings account (looking at you, Emergency Fund). Bank accounts exist to provide a safe and accessible place to keep our cash. But what happens to our money while it is sitting at the bank?

Unsurprisingly, banks use our money to make more money. What we don't often think about, though, is that their choices may not always align with what is important to us. One way I help my clients align their money with their values is by advocating for ethical banking, a simple way to reclaim control over how we want our money to impact the world around us.

So, what is an “ethical bank”?

Equitable employment practices are another vital part of building a more responsible financial system.

Think institutions that publicly limit financing to harmful industries, prioritize community reinvestment, or carry third-party certifications such as B Corp, CDFI, and mission-driven charters. These sorts of commitments indicate that your cash is more likely to fund affordable housing, small businesses, clean energy projects, and equitable lending rather than predatory lending, fossil fuels, or human rights violations.

National Ethical Bank for Checking Accounts: Amalgamated Bank

Amalgamated markets itself explicitly as “America’s socially responsible bank,” focusing on economic, social, racial and environmental justice and ESG investing for customers and organizations that want impact from their banking relationship. For folks who want a full-service bank with a clear mission, Amalgamated is a widely cited option.

National Bank for Savings Accounts: GreenFi

GreenFi (the rebranded successor of Aspiration) positions itself as climate-friendly — promising to avoid funding fossil fuels and offering features like tree-planting and impact-focused rewards alongside FDIC-insured checking and savings. Digital platforms like this appeal to clients seeking easy accounts that explicitly exclude fossil-fuel finance. At the time of this writing, they are offering a 3% APY on their fossil-fuel free High-Yield Savings Account, a fairly competitive rate today.

Local Banking: Community Banks, CDFIs and Credit Unions

Credit unions and community banks often deliver the biggest local impact: lower fees, more flexible lending to local small businesses, and community reinvestment programs. Credit unions are member-owned and insured by the NCUA; many partner organizations (and groups such as the American Consumer Council) can help clients join if they aren’t immediately eligible for a local credit union. In San Diego, for example, San Diego County Credit Union is a long-standing local option for a checking account or loan that helps support community give back programs.

Other Banks to Consider

A few other institutions that have been highlighted lately as other ethical options are Beneficial State Bank, City First Bank, Climate First Bank, and Atmos Financial. Each have different strengths and focus points, from community lending, B Corp status, or an emphasis on clean energy investments. Consult current lists and certification pages when comparing, such as from the Green Business Network.

A practical checklist to get started deciding where to bank:

1. Is the institution FDIC/NCUA insured? (safety)

2. Do they publish lending/investment policies (fossil fuel, weapons, etc.)? (transparency)

3. Any third-party certifications? (B Corp, CDFI, etc.)

4. Does their product set meet your needs (checking, mortgages, business lending)?

5. Can you access local credit unions or community banks that reinvest deposits locally?

This is all to say,

Keeping your money at an ethical bank is a simple yet powerful lever for implemented your values-based financial plan. Whether your focus is on climate action, community reinvestment, social justice, or even just equitable lending practices, there is an ethical bank out there for you that can help you increase the positive impact you want to have on the world around you.

Disclaimer: The above information is financial education rather than a recommendation. Sage Financial is providing this list based on its banking experience, experiences reported by its clients, and research from public articles and editorials. It did not receive any commissions or other kickbacks for the banks or resources mentioned in this article.

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📌 Sage Financial Planning LLC is a California RIA providing values-based financial planning and financial advice in San Diego, CA and nationwide via virtual platforms. Sage Financial specializes in serving First Generation Wealth Builders who want to change their financial family trees for the better, as well as values-based clients who want to not only achieve financial security and freedom for themselves, but who want to support their communities in meaningful ways and leave the world better than they found it.

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