September 19, 2011: The Global Alliance for Banking on Values, a network of the world’s leading sustainable banks, announces a new member today. SAC Apoyo Integral, S.A (Integral – www.integral.com.sv), a microfinance institution from El Salvador, is the fourteenth member of the expanding network which aims to build a progressive new approach to finance.

Announcing Integral’s membership, Global Alliance for Banking on Values Chair and Triodos Bank CEO, Peter Blom, said; ‘At a time when the conventional financial industry continues to struggle to reinvent itself, sustainable banking offers a positive, credible approach. Our network’s members are front-runners in this industry and we are delighted to welcome Integral as an excellent addition to this group.

Sustainable banks in our network are solid, independent and profitable organisations delivering long term benefits for people and the environment. They are grounded in their communities, working in the real economy to offer transparent, inclusive financial services for a wide range of customers. And they can play a crucial role in the transition to a more sustainable economy.’

Integral, who finance close to 50,000 micro-entrepreneurs, join sustainable banks that have become a reference point for the sustainable banking industry around the world. Integral joins Bolivia’s BancoSol, and Mibanco as existing South American members of the network.

The Global Alliance for Banking on Values aims to touch the lives of a billion people with sustainable banking by 2020. It recently announced a $200,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to support its financial capital raising work.