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Global Financial Leaders Seek Solutions for a Radically New Future for Banking at Vancouver, Canada Summit

GABV

12 February 2019

Global Financial Leaders Seek Solutions for a Radically New Future for Banking at Vancouver, Canada Summit

GABV

12 February 2019

VANCOUVER, CANADA – February 12, 2019 – Leaders from the financial community from over 40 countries will gather in Vancouver, Canada this February 19-20 to attend the first-ever Global Alliance for Banking on Values Summit. Hosted by the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and Vancity, the Summit’s call to action – ‘Redefining Banking for a Radically Different Future’ – will explore how banking and finance can help address social, environmental and economic challenges.

At a time where our world is facing monumental crises relating to climate change, displaced communities and a broadening gender divide, members of the values-based banking community are inviting policymakers, academics, economists and social activists to explore how we can put banking in service of both people and the planet. The Summit will gather experts on a range of environment, social and economic topics, including Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Author and Activist (Canada), John Fullerton, President of Capital Institute (USA) and Anna Laycock, CEO of The Finance Innovation Lab (UK).

“Humanity and our planet face unprecedented challenges,” says Peter Blom, Chair of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and CEO of Triodos Bank. “The banking sector has the ability to create the solutions of tomorrow based on where we put money today. Banks can finance fossil fuels, or clean, green energy; they can finance businesses that are indifferent to the consequences of their activity, or inclusive enterprises fostering greater equality. Where you invest, and what you finance, matters. ‘Banking with purpose’ and recognizing that every decision has impact must become the natural new narrative if we want to see changes for our planet and for the generations to come.”

“We’ve been able to show through our member organizations that we can improve our communities through values-based banking, while at the same time producing better and more stable financial returns than those shown by the largest banks in the world,” says Marcos Eguiguren, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values.

The two-day program features keynote presentations, panels and ‘exChange’ sessions where all participants will have an opportunity to use their design thinking and prototyping abilities to imagine and create new ways forward. The Summit ends with a provocative exploration synthesizing the two days with a call to action on where the banking sector needs to go. Sessions are open to the public and include:

  • Migrants exChange: Explore what needs to be done to influence governments, encourage civil society, and shift the values of the financial sector to meet the needs of this growing number of displaced communities.
  • MeToo exChange: Discuss how inclusion and innovation in finance can help pave the way to a fairer financial system.
  • Melting Icecaps exChange: Explore the transformative role of banking as it relates to environmental challenges and climate change.
  • A Call to Action: Redefining banking for a radically different future.

The Global Alliance for Banking on Values is a network of 54 banking leaders and strategic partners from around the world committed to advancing positive change in the banking sector.

2019 Summit speakers include:

For more information, tickets and a full schedule of events, visit: gabvsummit2019.com.

About the Global Alliance for Banking on Values:

The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a network of banking leaders from around the world committed to advancing positive change in the banking sector. Our collective goal is to change the banking system so that it is more transparent, supports economic, social and environmental sustainability, and is composed of a diverse range of banking institutions serving the real economy.

The Alliance was founded after the 2008 financial crisis and formalized a network of financial institutions who for many years had already been operating in a sustainable and viable way. They formalized the movement of Values-based Banking in 2009.

Global Alliance for Banking on Values members are focused on following the principles of values-based banking.

For more information:

Jasmin Panjeta | GABV
T: +31 6 5254228
jasmin.panjeta@gabv.org

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