Global Alliance for Banking on Values

15/06/2026

Last week, the Global Alliance for Banking on Values' (GABV) extended team gathered for our annual team retreat in the Basque Country (Spain). Bringing together our Secretariat, senior advisors, and regional representatives, it was a week of deep conversation, shared learning, and renewed purpose.

Laboral Kutxa who has recently become a full member of the GABV opened their doors to us, giving us the opportunity to engage directly with them, and the Mondragon Corporation, a world leader in the cooperative movement.

Some of the themes that shaped our discussions were:

1. What collaboration really means for a network as global and diverse as ours
2. How values-based banks can engage more with regulators and policymakers
3. The centrality of relationships to the GABV's identity, and why we are, at our core, a network built on trust rather than transactions

We also had the privilege of visiting different parts of the Mondragon Corporation including Mondragon University and Ikerlan's cutting-edge technology projects. We learned about Laboral Kutxa's central role in sustaining and strengthening the ecosystem of the corporation which left a strong impression on all of us.

On our last day, we visited Fiare Banca Etica's office in Bilbao, where we learned about their history, current opportunities, and the challenges they are navigating. A fitting close to a week that reminded us what this network is all about.

Thank you to the whole Laboral Kutxa team for the warm welcome and genuine Basque hospitality. And thank you to Fiare Banca Etica for opening your doors to us.

11/06/2026

Most of us never question where our money goes. Maybe we should.

Kat Taylor, co-founder of Beneficial State Bank, breaks down how banks really work, why the system looks the way it does today, and what each of us can do to be part of changing it.

A compelling listen for anyone who believes finance should serve people and planet, not the other way around.

🎙️ Listen to the How to Change the World podcast by World Within:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeFPa3_TswA

05/06/2026

This , one message is clear: climate action needs finance behind it.

Values-based banks have long understood this. They are already directing capital toward renewable energy, sustainable land use, and climate-resilient communities. But in a world crossing the 1.5°C threshold, good intentions are not enough.

The entire financial sector must step up. That is why the Global Alliance for Banking on Values published its Position Paper on Climate Action and the Role of Finance, setting out 7 measures for banks to take, from aligning with the Paris Agreement and divesting from fossil fuels, to publishing emissions transparently and committing to time-bound reductions.

Swipe to explore all 7 measures.

📎 Read the full position paper:https://www.gabv.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GABV-Position-Paper_Climate-Finance.pdf

03/06/2026

In this episode of 'NGO Soul + Strategy' podcast, Martin Kalungu-Banda, co-faculty of the GABV Leadership Academy at the Presencing Institute, explores how African leadership models can reshape the way organisations think about community, interdependence, and collective well-being.

A thought-provoking listen for anyone interested in leadership beyond the conventional playbook.

🎙️ Listen here:

SummaryWhat does the concept of Ubuntu teach us about leadership, community, and the well-being of people in organizations?How can African leadership models inform and enhance global approaches to management and organizational development?How do w...

28/05/2026

In Madagascar, 84% of women participate in the labour force, yet most work in low-paid, informal jobs, earning nearly 29% less than men.

SIPEM Banque Officiel's 'Vehivavy Mijoro' programme is working to change that. By combining financial access, skills training, and ongoing mentoring, the programme is helping vulnerable women build lasting businesses and take control of their economic futures.

🔗 Read the full story:

SIPEM Banque's Vehivavy Mijoro programme is tackling women's economic exclusion in Madagascar through financial access, skills training, and ongoing mentoring.

27/05/2026

What does it actually mean to be a values-based bank?

The Global Alliance for Banking on Values developed the 'Banking on Values Quick Scan' to help financial institutions find out. Built around six principles that together offer a different definition of banking success: triple bottom line, real economy focus, client-centred relationships, long-term resilience, transparency and inclusive governance, and culture and leadership.

This short, practical self-assessment enables banks to reflect on how closely their strategies, governance, client relationships, and asset allocation align with the Principles of Values-Based Banking. It is not a rating or audit, but an invitation to ask better questions and to use the answers as a starting point for genuine change.

🔗Learn more:

Explore why banking must redefine success beyond profit, and how the Global Alliance for Banking on Values’ Quick Scan can help financial institutions align purpose, resilience, and real-world impact.

21/05/2026

Access to finance remains a major challenge for small businesses in Tajikistan.

Bank Arvand (ҶСП Бонки "Арванд") is working to change that by expanding lending to rural communities, women entrepreneurs and low-income households with support from IFC. A step forward in closing the country’s USD 3 billion credit gap.

🔗 Read the full story: https://www.gabv.org/stories-from-gabv/finance-for-everyone-how-bank-arvand-is-helping-to-close-tajikistans-credit-gap/

19/05/2026

Finance is critical to unlocking climate and nature solutions at scale.

The Finance Stage at the Climate Innovation Forum organised by Climate Action will bring together investors, financial institutions and policymakers to explore how capital can be mobilised and deployed to accelerate the transition.

Delivered in partnership with UNEP FI, the stage will provide a dedicated platform for finance-focused dialogue, addressing how to scale sustainable finance, unlock investment into climate and nature solutions, and align financial systems with net zero and resilience goals.

Join over 2,500 senior leaders from business, government and finance at Guildhall, London on Monday, 22 June for the opening flagship event of London Climate Action Week.

Learn more about the Finance Stage here:
https://events.climateaction.org/climate-innovation-forum/agenda/ -stage

Special prices for the GABV Community (write to us at [email protected]).

13/05/2026

💡 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀?

The Banking on Values Quick Scan, a simple is an interactive tool designed to help banking professionals reflect on their practice, measure alignment with values-based banking principles, and identify opportunities to strengthen impact.

Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to deepen your mission, this self-assessment offers a practical way to assess your approach across key areas like governance, transparency, inclusion, and community impact.

🔗 Take the quick scan: https://www.gabv.org/banking-on-values-quick-scan/

12/05/2026

What does a bank card have to do with the health of our oceans? For Bank Australia, quite a lot.

The customer-owned bank launched a new range of cards made from 100% recycled plastic, with 64% of that material collected from coastal communities by Parley for the Oceans.

It is one more example of what values-based banking looks like in practice: making thoughtful, purposeful choices across every part of the business, including the card in your wallet.

🔗 Read the full story:

Bank Australia transforms ocean plastic into sustainable bank cards, partnering with Parley for the Oceans to reduce pollution and advance values-based banking.