By Martin Rohner, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Banking on Values
Foreword to the 2025 Annual Report by the Chair of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values
2025 has been a year of profound learning, resilience, and growth for the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV). Across regions and institutions, our network has demonstrated that values-based banking is not only relevant but essential in a world marked by volatility and accelerating change.
For the first time in our history, the Annual Meeting took place in Africa, hosted by Centenary Bank in Uganda. From the wisdom of anti-apartheid leader Dr. Mamphela Ramphele to practical insights on harnessing technology for impact, the meeting showcased the power of collaboration and the depth of commitment within our network. It also reinforced our growing engagement with mainstream banking, exemplified by our dialogue with the Ethiopian Central Bank and investor partnerships that open new pathways for sustainable finance.
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Throughout the year, we strengthened our global presence with eight new members from Uganda, USA, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Tajikistan, Paraguay and Ethiopia. We launched the GABV Academic Network to advance research and knowledge-sharing, and we continued to invest in leadership through our Governance and Leadership Academies.
A major milestone this year was the launch of the dynamic GABV Scorecard dashboard, providing clear, real-time insights and benchmarking for values-based banks. It strengthens transparency across our network while enhancing our ability to engage mainstream finance and demonstrate the measurable impact of values-based banking.
Our work extended beyond meetings and programmes. Together, we advocated for stronger sustainability standards, challenged narratives that mislabel harmful investments as ‘green’, and amplified the voice of values-based banking in global debates.
As we move through 2026, our focus shifts from resilience to adaptation and action. The next Annual Meeting in the Dominican Republic will highlight the transformational power of inclusive finance, the role of banking in building environmentally resilient communities, and the energy that comes from peer learning. This is the essence of our movement: to lead with purpose, innovate with integrity, and collaborate across borders for a financial system that serves the real economy and the common good.
