Brussels, Belgium. The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) co-organised a conference with the European Investment Bank Group, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s efforts to advance values-based banking across Europe. The conference brought together European institutions with one powerful question at its core: How can we align efforts for deeper impact?

The invitation-only event, “Ethical Banking for More Social Impact in Europe,” took place on June 5, 2025, in Brussels and was co-organised with the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers (FEBEA) and the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV).

The conference represented a historic first for GABV, as Executive Director Martin Rohner noted:

“This is the first time that GABV is connecting with the European Investment Bank in this format, and we see it as a real opportunity to explore how we can work together.”

In preparation for the event, the GABV conducted a survey of its European members regarding their funding needs. The results revealed strong interest in raising growth capital and debt funding to support the expansion of ethical banking services across the continent, providing crucial data to inform discussions with potential partners.

Key discussions and outcomes

The conference was organised by EIB Advisory as part of the Social Inclusive Finance Technical Assistance (SIFTA) initiative under InvestEU, demonstrating the European Union’s commitment to supporting alternative banking models that prioritise social impact alongside financial returns.

The event opened with remarks from Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, and featured contributions from Ruth Paserman, Director of Funds Programming and Implementation at the European Commission’s DG EMPL.

The day-long programme featured three main focus areas that addressed the current state and future potential of ethical banking in Europe. Catherine Bender, Head of Division for Financial Institutions West at the European Investment Bank, led discussions on existing EIB Group support mechanisms and potential new initiatives for ethical banking institutions.

A comprehensive panel on the evolution of EU social and ethical finance brought together representatives from the European Commission, Banca Etica, and EIB Group experts to explore the current landscape and future trajectory of ethical finance across Europe. The final session focused on opportunities and challenges, where financial leaders from Spain’s Caixa Colonya Pollença and Laboral Kutxa, Germany’s GLS Bank, and other institutions shared practical insights on expanding ethical banking operations and overcoming regulatory and market barriers.

GABV’s vision for Europe’s financial future

For the GABV, this conference represented more than networking; it was about creating the financial infrastructure needed to build a more equitable and sustainable Europe. The organisation expressed confidence that this event marks just the beginning of deeper institutional cooperation.

The GABV’s participation in this initiative demonstrates our commitment to advancing values-based banking beyond its traditional networks, engaging directly with major European financial institutions to scale impact across the continent.