Artificial Intelligence and Banking
Artificial intelligence is often presented as an objective tool for decision-making, but recent research suggests that AI may replicate the same racial biases already present in the banking industry. As lenders adopt these technologies, questions about fairness, transparency, and accountability are becoming more important than ever.
Disinvesting From War in the Middle East
Many people are asking how their financial decisions connect to global conflicts and military funding. While banking transparency remains limited, moving deposits from large multinational banks to local community institutions can be a meaningful way to align your finances with values of peace, accountability, and community development.
Saving the Planet With Your Savings Account
Most people think about reducing their carbon footprint through daily habits, but your bank account may have an even bigger impact. This review of Project Drawdown’s climate-responsible banking report explores how moving your savings from fossil-fuel-financing mega banks to mission-driven community banks and credit unions can help reduce emissions and support a more sustainable future.
Our Response to Hope's 2022 Impact Report
Hope Credit Union’s 2022 Impact Report demonstrates what mission-driven banking can accomplish when lending is focused on people traditionally excluded from financial opportunity. From first-time homebuyers to Black-owned businesses, Hope continues to invest in communities overlooked by conventional lenders.
City Survey: San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland (Bay Area)
The Bay Area is home to some of the most innovative and mission-driven financial institutions in the country. Whether you’re looking to support immigrant communities, affordable housing, small businesses, or environmentally responsible lending, these Better Banking Options in San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland offer a meaningful alternative to the mega banks.
City Survey: Chicago
Chicago’s banking landscape reflects both the city’s diversity and its history of segregation. From Black-owned banks on the South Side to community-focused institutions serving immigrant neighborhoods, these Better Banking Options are helping expand access to housing, small business lending, and community development throughout the city.
City Survey: Washington, DC
Washington, DC, has a surprisingly rich landscape of Better Banking Options, from Black-owned banks and immigrant-focused credit unions to cooperative lenders and community development institutions. This city survey highlights mission-driven banks and credit unions helping strengthen neighborhoods across the nation’s capital.
What Is Ethical Banking? How Better Banking Supports Communities
Ethical banking is about more than avoiding mega banks—it’s about choosing financial institutions that use your deposits responsibly. From community lending to environmental sustainability and transparency, ethical banks and credit unions can help build a more equitable world while still meeting your everyday banking needs.
Mega Banks & Climate Change: How Your Deposits Fund Fossil Fuels
Mega banks have poured trillions into the fossil fuel industry, helping fund projects that contribute directly to climate change. While individual action alone can’t solve the climate crisis, moving your money away from banks financing fossil fuels is one meaningful way to pressure institutions and support a more sustainable economy.
Why You Should Be Banking With Brooklyn Cooperative FCU
Brooklyn Cooperative FCU is a mission-driven credit union serving low-income and historically underserved neighborhoods in Brooklyn through affordable banking services and community-focused lending.
Open An Account At Hope Credit Union TODAY
Hope Credit Union is one of the nation’s leading Better Banking Options, using deposits to fund wealth-building loans in underserved Black communities across the Mid-South.
Why You Should Be Banking With First Independence Bank
First Independence Bank is Detroit’s only Black-owned bank, investing in Black communities through housing loans, small business lending, and local banking services.
Why You Should Be Banking With Chickasaw Community Bank
Chickasaw Community Bank is a Native-owned CDFI helping Indigenous families and businesses access housing loans and community-focused financial services.
City Survey: Memphis
From Black-led banks to community-focused credit unions, Memphis offers several Better Banking Options making real investments in local neighborhoods and families.
More About Our Data & How It’s Updated
Our Better Banking Options search engine uses FDIC and NCUA data to rank banks and credit unions based on community-focused lending and local impact.
What is Values-Based Banking?
Values-based banking prioritizes community wellbeing, sustainable growth, and relationship-focused lending over short-term profit maximization. Here’s why it matters.
Why You Should Be Banking With Clearwater Credit Union
Clearwater Credit Union is redefining community banking in Montana through inclusive lending, environmental sustainability, and transparent financial practices.
Five Reasons to Break Up With Your Mega Bank
Mega banks prioritize profits and speculative investments over communities. Here are five reasons why moving your money to a local bank or credit union can make a real difference.
Anti-Racist Personal Finance: 5 Ways to Fight Racism With Your Money
Your financial choices can help support racial justice. From banking with Black-owned institutions to investing intentionally, here are five ways to align your money with anti-racist values.
Black Banks You Should Move Your Money To TODAY
Looking for a meaningful way to support Black communities financially? Black-owned banks and Minority Depository Institutions help expand access to housing, business loans, and banking services in historically underserved neighborhoods across the country.