Follow the Money

See how by moving your money to an ethical bank, your savings can make a real difference.

Money doesn't sit still. It is an intrepid traveller destined for diverse locations across the globe to be invested in businesses and industries, some positive but others destructive.

So where does your money go?

We're challenging businesses, charities and individuals to ask themselves this question and move their savings to an ethical home where they can be sure it is doing good.

View highlights from visit 36

Follow The Money visits

Join us as we send our photographer Lucy Hunter on the road to Follow the Money as she visits 38 inspiring projects supported with Charity Bank savers’ money.

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Reasons to save ethically

Don’t just take our word for it, our survey of 4,000 people across the UK shows the public expect charities and businesses to save and act ethically.

Percentage of people that prefer to buy from businesses that demonstrate similar values to their own
Percentage of Brits that think charities should invest their savings and investments ethically
Percentage of people that think businesses should do more to tackle social issues
Percentage of people who would pay more for a product or service from a business that demonstrates its ethical values

Put your money where your values are

Show your credentials and join the growing number of charities, social enterprises and businesses that are moving their money to an ethical bank.

See some of those already putting their money where their values are.

#FollowTheMoney — Highlights from visit 36

Today's pictures are courtesy of Bevern Trust

We encourage fellow social enterprises, as well as charities, other businesses and individuals to question how their savings are currently being used and to consider ethical alternatives, such as those offered by Charity Bank. Lucy Findlay, Managing Director of Social Enterprise Mark CIC
The Ethical Company Organisation encourages charities, businesses and individuals to question how their savings are currently being used and consider ethical alternatives. Kat Alexander, Ethical Company Organisation
It is possible to have a positive impact on society whilst also being business-minded. Charity Bank was instrumental in CAN's purchase of our first CAN Mezzanine building with a loan. This has prevented hundreds of social sector workers from being gentrified out of core London markets as commercial prices have rocketed. Andrew Croft, Chief Executive, CAN
Responsible finance providers like Charity Bank demonstrate that doing good and making sound business decisions are not mutually exclusive. By saving money with Charity Bank you can build your own nest egg while helping borrowers to improve lives. Jennifer Tankard, Chief Executive, Responsible Finance
Receiving the positive stories of the charitable projects Charity Bank has invested in feels like affirmation that we made the right decision. Kate Duggan, Charity Bank Ethical ISA customer
As my family grows my ethical and environmental values are definitely something I want to instil in my children. Sam Hampton, Charity Bank Ethical ISA customer
Having worked for, and volunteered with, a number of charities in the past, I really appreciate the personal stories behind Charity Bank’s loan customers. It makes me feel good about my choice to invest. Martin Skelton, Charity Bank Ethical ISA customer
We wanted to actively invest in something that was going to do some positive good. All our investments are in some way or another ethically invested – driven by the principle of ‘do no harm’ and therefore we ensure our money is not being used to do things that aren’t in line with our own values. Reverend Tim Carter, Charity Bank Ethical ISA customer
I believe we should all make conscious savings and investment decisions that match our values. Josh, Charity Bank Ethical Cash ISA
Charity Bank is one of the growing number of ethically-focussed companies that are now helping consumers’ money make a real difference. Rob Harrison, co-editor of Ethical Consumer
We don’t have a specific ethical investment policy because we believe that everything you do should be ethical if you are running a charity. Gloria Wright, Trustee of Sussex Lantern
Millennials are driving the green revolution, demanding financial products that are good for their pocket but don’t undo all their efforts to live ethically. We all want to know how to make an impact, and where you save can make a big difference - moving your pension to a sustainable fund or picking an ethical bank account can be many times more effective than, for example, taking shorter showers. Clem McCulloch, ShareAction
At the Barrow Cadbury Trust we aim to use all of our assets in a responsible way and aligned with our mission. That’s why we invest capital in, and deposit some of our cash with, Charity Bank. We know that this recycles the money for a wide range of useful social purposes and hence touches the lives of thousands of people. The more charities which choose to do the same, the more good work can be supported. Erica Cadbury, Chair of Barrow Cadbury Trust
Money has power. Where you put your money need not just be about finding the highest interest rate or lowest premium, it can be about empowering yourself to make a meaningful difference to other people and the planet. Rebecca O'Connor, co-founder of Good With Money
Everyone can help unlock the power of community by moving their savings to an ethical bank. The Follow the Money campaign is a great way to open up new sources of income for community organisations, which are vital in the current unstable political and financial environment. The campaign is a perfect opportunity to make sure we're all doing our bit to build a fairer society. Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive, Locality
We need to transform the way we see money: as Charity Bank and their customers demonstrate, our savings and investments are a powerful tool for social change. If you’re a charity or business that isn’t yet banking ethically, now is the time to explore how it could benefit your organisation as well as society. It’s time we all started to Follow the Money! Anna Laycock, Executive Director, the Finance Innovation Lab
It’s fantastic to see charitable organisations opening their doors to show the real-life impact that loans from ethical financial providers have on our communities. It’s thanks to the businesses, charities and individuals that choose to save their money with ethical banks, such as Charity Bank, that support can be provided to organisations that need it. Karl Wilding, Director of Public Policy and Volunteering at NCVO
The public is increasingly demanding more from businesses, using their spending power to support those which act ethically. This campaign shows how it is not only the money you spend but also the money you save which can be used to build a fairer, more equitable world. Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive, Social Enterprise UK

How to find an ethical savings account

Charity Bank savers tell us what drives their decision to save ethically.
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Rob Harrison of Ethical Consumer shares his top tips for charities, businesses and individuals seeking an ethical home for their savings.
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Banks and building societies are rated on their social and environmental performance.
Read more

Supporters

Follow the Money is part of Good Money Week and supported by the following organisations.

About Charity Bank

Charity Bank is an ethical bank owned by and dedicated to supporting charities and social purpose organisations. We lend to organisations where the loan is being used for a social purpose.

With Charity Bank, your savings or reserves can become a powerful force for good: it might be used to build affordable homes, launch community projects or help disadvantaged young people find employment.

Find out more about us here.

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