GLS Bank

GLS Bank, founded in 1974, is Germany's first social and ecological bank. It focuses on financing projects and businesses that address societal challenges through creative solutions in areas such as education, organic agriculture, renewable energy, sustainable housing, and healthcare. The bank operates on the principle of transparency, publishing details of all financed initiatives in its "Bankspiegel" magazine. GLS Bank allows savers to choose the sector in which their money will be invested, offering six core areas: Sustainable Economies, Food, Education & Culture, Renewable Energies, Social & Health, and Living. As of 2021, GLS Bank served over 320,000 clients and managed assets of around 11.2 billion euros. The bank adheres to strict exclusion criteria and positive impact targets when making lending decisions. It has financed approximately 23,000 projects and businesses to date. Recent investments include 38.9 million euros in traceless materials, a company developing sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. GLS Bank also supports initiatives like multigeneration housing projects, organic farms, and schools promoting equality of opportunities. GLS Bank's commitment to socio-ecological banking has earned it recognition, including being named Bank of the Year 2022 and holding first place in the Fair Finance Guide. The bank continues to focus on transforming industries with strong social importance while leveraging technology to enhance customer experience.