Social responsibility as a core business model in banking: a case study in the financial sector

Abstract

This paper offers an in-depth case study of a bank that combines profitability with social responsibility as its core business model. The case study reveals the interdependence between innovations of financial products and societal challenges in the areas that the bank is operating in, and identifies limitations and challenges of this business model.

Keywords:

• social banking
• financial product innovation
• case study
• Triodos Bank
• societal challenges

Notes

1. See full mission statement: http://www.triodos.com/com/about_triodo/mission.

2. For more information, go to http://www.maxhavelaar.ch/en/.

3. For a complete list, go to http://www.triodos.com/com/static/pdf/investment_criteria.

4. What is called a ‘checking account’ in the USA is called a ‘current account’ in most European countries. The use of private checks is not common in Europe.

5. See http://www.milieudefensie.nl/, the Dutch Chapter of Friends of the Earth.

6. For example, see how the Deutsche Bank started to invest in renewable energy. http://www.erneuerbareenergien.de/deutsche-bank-nutzt-windstrom/150/406/32561/.

7. See http://www.gabv.org/.