Aligning Your Money With Your Values
We’re here to help you find a responsible bank or credit union that supports local communities, clean energy, and fair labor. Make a positive impact by choosing a bank that invests in a better future.
Find a Better Bank
The Problem With Megabanks
When you put money into a bank account, it doesn’t just sit there. Banks use your deposits to make loans – and megabanks finance fossil fuels, factory farms, weapons of war, and other industries.
Banking on climate chaos
The top nine US banks have plowed over $2 trillion into fossil fuel development since the Paris Agreement, financing methane gas plants, coal mining, fracking, liquid gas export, tar sands oil, and more.
Predatory lending
Megabanks lent billions in predatory subprime mortgages that their borrowers could not repay, leading to the housing market crash in 2008. Almost 10 million Americans lost their homes.
Harm to consumers
Consumers file thousands of complaints each year against megabanks over fraudulent practices, deceptive lending, and predatory fees. Regulators have fined these banks billions of dollars.
Destructive industries
Megabanks funnel billions of dollars to arms companies that sell cluster munitions and nuclear weapons, and to industrial livestock producers with egregious records on animal welfare and human rights.
Your Banking Has an Impact
By choosing a community development bank or credit union, you can ensure your money helps to build your community and a better world.
Supporting local entrepreneurs
Beneficial State Bank helped Lucy De Leon of Portland buy an affordable commercial kitchen space that enabled her to build two Mexican restaurants and provide tamales and enchiladas to schools throughout Oregon.
Serving community nonprofits
Self-Help Federal Credit Union helped Erika Allen’s nonprofit, Urban Growers Collective of Chicago, obtain a Paycheck Protection Program loan during the pandemic — then financed Erika’s first-time home mortgage, which she could not have gotten otherwise.
Standing with workers
Amalgamated Bank: Born to serve working class immigrant women rejected by other banks. That push for progress never stopped! Today, Amalgamated fights for fair labor. Its bankers come from labor and understand the unique banking needs of unions and members.
Financing renewable energy
Clean Energy Credit Union provides affordable loans for residential solar, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and other clean energy projects. Through over 13,000 loans, Clean Energy CU has offset over 1 million tons of carbon pollution.
Switching is easier than you think
Moving to a community development bank or credit union will ensure your money is doing good. Here’s how to break up with your megabank in 10 steps.
Step 1 Choose a new bank or credit union.
Step 2 Open a new account.
Step 3 Make a list of automatic payments and withdrawals.
Step 4 Move your automatic deposits.
Step 5 Move your automatic withdrawals.
Step 6 Get copies of your old bank statements.
Step 7 Transfer remaining funds to your new account.
Step 8 Close your old account.
Step 9 Tell your megabank why you are leaving.
Step 10 Encourage organizations you are involved with to make the switch.
We switched banks for people and planet
Hear from Green Americans who have moved their money to a better bank or credit union. Find their stories in the Latest section of this website.
"I studied Green America’s resources and got our group to agree to use Industrial Bank, a leading African American-owned bank and CDFI."
Judy Smith, United Methodist Women
"Before you begin this process, it can feel like a mountain of work – just start with one account and move one account at a time."
rev. abby mohaupt, GreenFaith
“Since I’m a teacher, I love reward systems. ... Every time you take one step closer to switching banks, reward yourself with a treat.”
Annalisa B, New Haven, CT
“It’s pretty amazing that by closing your account with a big bank and moving it to your local credit union, you can use your money for good."
Andy Mebert, CEO, Yaya Maria’s Soap
“Even though encouraging fellow congregants to change their credit cards won't solve climate change, it is the progress I can make at this time.”
Jim Blasiak, Adat Shalom Climate Action Team
“Every time we get where we’re going, prepare a meal, or cash a check without burning more fossil fuels, we’re showing another world is possible.”
Joelle Novey, Interfaith Power & Light
About Green America
Green America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power, and practical tools for businesses, investors, and consumers to solve today’s social and environmental problems.
