At a Glance

If you’re interested in supporting corporations that actively promote eco-friendly initiatives then an eco-friendly bank is the perfect place for your funds. Here are our top picks for the best environmentally-responsible banks you can sign up with today.

In this article, you’ll learn:

Comparing the best eco-friendly banks

Bank Annual Percentage Yield Minimum Deposit Fees
Amalgamated Bank 0.81% – 2.75% $100 $0
Atmos Financial 1.6% – 3.2% $0 $0
Clean Energy Credit Union 0.01% – 3.5% $25 $0
greenpenny 2.53% $100 $0
National Cooperative Bank 1.16% -2.53% $100 $15 – $25 if the balance falls below the minimum
Self-Help Credit Union 0.10% – 3.06% $0 $0 – $5

A closer look into the top green banks

Amalgamated Bank

Certifications: B Corp, GABV, Green America Certified.

Products and services: Personal banking, Small Business Banking, Institutional Investing

Availability: Nationwide + local branches in CA, DC, and NY

Amalgamated Bank is probably the eco-friendly bank that’s closest to your typical banking expectations. Its interest-earning checking account has no monthly fees, a rarity in the niche-banking world. Plus, they’ll double the amount of interest your account accrues if you donate half to a partnered charity.

Atmos Financial

Certifications: 1% for the Planet, Fossil Free Certified, Pending B Corp.

Products and services: Personal banking, Solar loans

Availability: Nationwide, no physical locations

Atmos Financial has a lot to be impressed by. Not only does it have a 5% cashback rate on sustainable purchases made with your debit card, but its high-yield savings accounts will automatically double your interest rate from 1.6% to 3.2% if you have a monthly donation to an Atmos-approved nonprofit.

Clean Energy Credit Union

Certifications: 1% for the Planet, Fossil Free Certified, Green America Certified.

Products and services: Personal banking, Retirement Accounts, Business Checking, Business Checking and Savings

Availability: Nationwide, no dedicated locations but over 5,000 shared branch locations around the US

Clean Energy Credit Union is one of the premier eco-friendly credit unions in the country. Certified fossil-free, CECU pledged it will never invest in fossil fuel projects for its members. Since CECU is a credit union, there are some qualifications needed to open an account. You must be an employee or volunteer at CECU, Our Climate, or 350 Colorado. Members of several affiliated non-profits are also eligible.

Greenpenny

Certifications: 1% for the Planet.

Products and services: Personal banking, Solar loans, Mortgages, Business checking, and savings

Availability: Nationwide, no physical locations

Greenpenny’s mission is to use deposits for funding renewable energy and carbon-reducing projects only. Its customers have helped finance over 1,000 solar projects around the U.S. and its generous 2.53% APY on green penny and lil spout Savings Accounts make it a formidable eco bank that’s doing good while offering some of the most competitive savings rates around.

National Cooperative Bank

Certifications: GABV Member.

Products and services: Personal banking, Retirement accounts, Loans, Commercial checking, and savings

Availability: Nationwide, no physical locations

National Cooperative Bank is one of the oldest eco-friendly banks that focuses heavily on supporting local, low-income communities. Using a cooperative framework, National Cooperative Bank works with communities to invest in clean energy projects, support local businesses, expand affordable housing options, and promote affordable healthcare solutions.

Self-Help Federal Credit Union

Certifications: CDFI, CDCU, Fossil Free Certified, Green America Certified, Multiracial-owned.

Products and services: Personal banking, IRAS, Loans, Business savings accounts, Business loans

Availability: California, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Additional branches in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia

Self-Help Federal Credit Union focuses its impact heavily on offering economic opportunities for all, especially people of color, women, rural residents, and low-wealth families. However, SHFCU isn’t like your typical bank, it’s a network of banks and branches that work together to fund community engagement while offering its members competitive rates on personal checking and savings accounts. There are dedicated branches of its sister organization, the Self-Help Credit Union, in a few southern states, too. To join, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in eligible counties or have an employee affiliation.

How does a green bank work?

To be considered “green,” a bank must be committed to improving communities via an environmental impact. Often, this is centered around funding eco-friendly projects or helping customers attain sustainable energy options, like solar panels.

The top eco-friendly banks will have at least one certification that shows its impact is monitored by a third party and that the bank is adhering to environmentally-responsible practices. The best certifications to look for when vetting a green bank are:

  • 1% for the Planet
  • Certified B Corporation
  • Fossil-Free Certified
  • Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV)
  • Green America Certified

Why choose an eco-friendly bank?

Banks, green or not, often spend billions in resources on charitable causes and political lobbying. Choosing an eco-friendly bank ensures your support goes directly to causes you believe in that are better for the planet and allocates money toward sustainable energy, environmental clean-up, and reducing the harm caused by fossil fuels.

Why do certifications matter?

Certifications are ways to ensure the bank follows through on its eco-friendly promises. A certification means that a third party regularly audits the bank and makes sure it’s keeping up with the standards that each organization requires for ongoing certification. Essentially a certification ensures everyone stays honest and keeps up with the promises they made that got your business.