Our Credentials

Our commitment to socially responsible banking is certified by third party assessments, providing our members confidence that we are banking for good.

Our credentials

  • External certification 

    We undertake external, independent third-party certification through B Lab and Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) to provide evidence and results of our sustainability commitments and performance over time. 

    Global standards

    Our participation in external benchmarks set by B Lab means we are measured alongside thousands of companies around the world, not just in finance but other industries too.
    10-year record of recognition 

    Since 2014 the bank has received external recognition for our sustainability and ESG performance more than 60 times, highlighting our long-term commitment, some recent recognitions include: 

    1. Since January 2022 we are a Certified B Corporation by B Lab. One of only 58 banks globally to be Certificated by B Corp1 
    2. The only bank to be named by RIAA as a Responsible Investment leader for four years in a row (2021 – 2024)2
    3. 2024 Winner Banksia Foundation – Large Business Sustainable Leadership Award. The award celebrates exceptional commitment and achievements in integrating sustainable practices across its operations (including governance)3.
    4. 2024 GoodCompany Awards, ranked in the Top 20 Best Workplaces to Give Back (named 2021 - 2023)4
    5. Named One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute ten years in a row (2014-2023)5
    6. Since 2022 hold Fossil Free Certification by NGO BankGreen. Financial institutions that are Fossil Free Certified have pledged not to finance new fossil fuel companies or projects6.
    7. Finder Green Bank of the Year Award: Highly Commended (2023), Winner (2022), Finalist (2020 and 2021)7 
    8. 2023 Finalist Global Finance for the Future Awards- Moving Financial Markets, by Deloitte, ICAEW A4S (Accounting for Sustainability)8
    9. Australian Banking industry awards9: 2020 Winner (Most Innovative Green Initiative); 2018 Finalist (Best bank in CSR), 2017 Finalist (Best Financial Institution in CSR); 2016 Winner, 2015 Winner (Best Bank n Socially Responsible Performance ESG) 2014 Finalist (Best Bank in Socially Responsible Performance ESG). 
       

    1. 58 is correct as of 28 January 2025. Deposit Bank – Developed Capital Markets as defined on bcorporation.net

    2. https://responsibleinvestment.org/resources/benchmark-report/ 2021-2024. Responsible Investment Leaders are recognised by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). RI leaders are named in the RIAA Benchmark report Benchmark Report.

    3. National Winners 2024 - Banksia Foundation banksiafdn.com/national-winners-2024 Large Business Sustainable Leadership Award by the Banksia Foundation The Banksia Foundation was established in 1989 by a group of passionate people, recognising community members for their positive contributions to social and environmental sustainability initiatives. The Large Business Sustainability Leadership Award celebrates exceptional commitment and achievements in integrating sustainable practices across its operations (including governance).

    4. GoodCompany Awards | GoodCompany | Australia Named to the Good Company Awards (previously known as Best Workplaces to Give Back) These awards recognize the Top 40 companies in Australia that exemplify giving back via donating, volunteering, fundraising, charity gift cards, and other pro-social behaviours.

    5. Honorees – Worlds Most Ethical Companies Named One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies: The Ethisphere Institute is a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust, and business success. The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment process includes more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity, and initiatives that support a strong value chain. The process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify the leading practices of organizations across industries and around the globe. ethisphere.com/worlds-most-ethical-companies 

    6. https://bank.green/ Find Ethical & Sustainable Banks in your area.  Fossil Free Certification by Bank.green Financial institutions that are Fossil Free Certified have pledged not to finance new fossil fuel companies or projects, and the majority already do not do so. Bank.Green is a not-for-profit organization tackling the climate crisis by addressing the fossil fuel finance that enables it. Fossil Free Certification is the simplest, most straightforward way to signal to customers, professionals in the banking sector, and the general public that a sustainability-conscious financial institution is truly putting its money where its mouth is.

    7. Finder Green Awards 2024: Sustainable leaders | Finder The Finder Green Award These awards recognise Australia’s greenest industry leader and the sustainability leaders in the sectors they compare.

    8. Home | Finance for the Future Awards | ICAEW Named a Finalist in for ‘Moving Financial Markets – large organisations’ category, alongside Aviva Investors, CDPQ, Moody’s and Santander Brasil. These awards recognise financial leaders who are best practise globally. The Finance for the Future Awards celebrate organisations and individuals who are supporting the integration of sustainability into financial decision-making.

    9. Australian Banking Innovation Awards 2019 The Australian Retail Banking Awards (formerly the Australian Banking & Finance Awards AB+F) are the only awards dedicated exclusively to achievement within the retail banking industry. In 2017 the category was changed to ‘Best Financial Institution in Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR), and in 2018 to ‘Best bank in CSR’ and in 2020 to Most Innovative Green Initiative. The website of AB&F is defunct, however older awards data can be found online.