GABV
2025 Annual Report
ABOUT US
Meet the Global Alliance for
Banking on Values
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a growing network of values-based financial institutions working to transform the banking system and finance positive economic, social, and environmental impact. Integrity, human dignity and the protection of the environment are at the core of their operations. By setting an example, they lead the transformation of banking and finance in their respective communities, countries and regions and expand their reach and impact by supporting others on the way to change.
OUR 6 GUIDING VALUES
The GABV's member banks have a shared commitment to finding local solutions to global problems and promoting a positive, viable alternative to the current financial system.
While the members are heterogeneous in terms of their business models, their size, and the markets they operate in, they share the Principles of Values-Based Banking, which underpin all that they do.
OUR FOCUS:
TRANSFORMING BANKING AND LIVES
TRANSFORMING BANKING AND LIVES
In 2025, the GABV placed special emphasis on the new Strategy 2027 pillar: Transform.
This pillar underscores our leadership role in driving a just, equitable, and sustainable financial system by:
- Developing, piloting, and scaling up new approaches that advance economic and social transformation.
- Working closely with communities to raise awareness, co-create, and share innovative solutions for systemic change.
- Building partnerships with public and private actors to align efforts and drive collective impact.
- Engaging with mainstream banks to inspire and support their transformation. In 2025, the Secretariat provided advisory services to five mainstream banks that amplify its impact beyond membership.
Examples of Transformation across the network
- Bank Australia’s Clean Energy Home Loan rewards energy efficient homes.
- BancoSol’s Impacta programme drives carbon neutrality, Amazon conservation, and green finance aligned with six SDGs in Bolivia.
- Alternative Bank Schweiz advances biodiversity through national and international commitments.
- LAPO Microfinance Bank in Nigeria partners with IITA to expand agroforestry and climate resilient livelihoods.
- Vancity, Canada’s largest credit union, accelerates affordable housing through blended finance and mission driven support.
THEORY OF CHANGE
GABV’s Theory of Change is a visualisation of the Lead, Strengthen,
Expand and Transform strategic goals of the GABV Strategy.
It demonstrates how the different pieces of GABV work
are connected and intended to lead to the desired impact.
Expand and Transform strategic goals of the GABV Strategy.
It demonstrates how the different pieces of GABV work
are connected and intended to lead to the desired impact.
FOREWORD FROM THE CHAIR
Working together makes us stronger
Chairing the GABV through 2025 has been a privilege. Our network's impact continues to grow, driven by a shared capacity to innovate, solve complex problems, and deliver lasting change.
I've witnessed this throughout the year. Our members are leveraging AI to reach previously excluded populations—from Peru to the USA.
Centenary Bank in Uganda demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our movement during a transformational annual meeting that showcased Africa's leadership in sustainable and inclusive finance.
The lessons from Africa’s success resonate globally. Inclusive finance changes lives—however, too many remain underserved.
Despite, and perhaps because of, headwinds in parts of the world, values-based banking is more relevant than ever. Our growth proves it: we welcomed eight new members to the network in 2025.
Working together makes us stronger.
Regional meetings in five continents showed a growing appetite for collaboration, including tangible results like our Correspondent Banking project that concluded this year, delivered better correspondent banking services and created partnerships for participating members.
We have the capability to lead. Our Banking on Values Day campaign challenged stakeholders to consider how AI defines banking—and to ensure AI reflects the positive characteristics of a values-based approach to finance.
Our power to transform grows more prominent. I saw this in dialogue with senior figures throughout the year, including an African Central Bank Governor seeking to learn from GABV's approach to building a more inclusive financial system.
Since inception, the GABV has had a bias to action. That was truer than ever in 2025 and will continue driving our work forward.
Thank you to our members, supporting partners, Board and Secretariat, and our broader stakeholders worldwide for your work to grow our movement's impact.
David Reiling
CEO, Sunrise Banks
Chair, Global Alliance for Banking on Values
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leading with Purpose; Collaborating across Borders
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.
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.
Martin Rohner
Executive Director,
Global Alliance for Banking on Values
A global movement
THE GABV IN A NUTSHELL
FOUNDED IN 2009
The GABV was founded in 2009 by ten pioneer banks that believed in the need for a fairer financial system.
8 NEW MEMBERS
During 2025, the GABV welcomed eight new members: Mascoma Bank in the USA, BRAC Uganda Bank, Opportunity Bank Uganda, Sarvodaya Development Finance in Sri Lanka, Compartamos Banco in Mexico, Bank Arvand in Tajikistan as full members, and Enat Bank in Ethiopia and Financiera Paraguayo Japonesa in Paraguay as associate members.
6 SUPPORTING AND ECOSYSTEM PARTNERS
These organisations are like-minded, mission-driven institutions that promote a sustainable economy and social inclusion and help to expand the values-based banking movement.
MEMBERSHIP BY REGION IN 2005
By the end of 2025, GABV members were present in 46 countries in five regions:
74 members
The GABV ended 2025 with 68 full member banks and six associate members
100K co-workers
GABV members employ over 100,000 co-workers
USD 290B assets
GABV members hold over USD 290 billion of combined assets
50M clients
Collectively, we serve moer than 50 million customers worldwide
A CONNECTED MOVEMENT
Key Meetings in 2025
Meeting as a global network— whether in person or virtually—remained central to the GABV’s work in 2025. By coming together GABV members find meaningful ways to collaborate, strengthen their own institutions, and further lead the industry so it moves in a more sustainable direction.
In 2025 the GABV organised:
13
in person events
with
350+
participants
and
100+
online calls
GABV ANNUAL MEETING IN UGANDA
For the first time in its history, the GABV Annual Meeting was held in Africa. Hosted by Centenary Bank, one of the continent’s leading inclusive finance institutions and a long-standing GABV member, the meeting was titled ‘Building Resilient Futures; Lessons from Africa and Values-Based Banking’.
From colleagues sharing personal experiences of living with conflict to CEOs navigating profound political and economic shifts, the theme was timely and resonant.
The programme spanned topics including AI, leadership and mental health, enriched by contributions from leaders such as anti-apartheid legend Mamphela Ramphele and mountain-gorilla conservation pioneer Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka.
It provided key learnings on how to deliver resilience and impact and provided rich evidence of how important our movement has become, individually, institutionally and collectively.
A dedicated session explored how members can harness AI responsibly to advance their mission, while leadership conversations highlighted the competencies required to guide organisations through uncertainty.
As part of the programme, the official Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place, providing members with the opportunity to review progress, endorse plans for the year ahead, and reaffirm the shared commitments that underpin the movement.
REGIONAL CHAPTER MEETINGS: FOSTERING ACTION
CEOs and senior leaders gathered in the fall of 2025 at five Regional Chapter Meetings to exchange knowledge and share innovative approaches to address local issues. The meetings inspired a strengthened commitment to increase collaboration around advocacy, AI and technology, operations or capacity building.
Africa Chapter Meeting
Hosted by Opportunity International Savings and Loans (OISL) in Accra, Ghana. Discussions centred on diverse fundraising models and AI-supported banking processes, and showcased a skills-training programme to empower and provide opportunities to vulnerable migrant women.
Asia Pacific Chapter Meeting
Hosted by Sarvodaya Development Finance in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The meeting focused on agricultural finance for SMEs, AI best practices, and member experiences in mergers and transitions.
Europe Chapter Meeting
Hosted by Charity Bank in Canterbury, UK, where members shared strategies for raising equity, gained insights on Nature-Based Solutions, explored advocacy opportunities, and discussed AI strategies and governance models.
Latin America & the Caribbean Chapter Meeting
Hosted by Banco Mundo Mujer in Popayan, Colombia, focused on AI and cybersecurity, and the development of sustainable, gender-empowering, green lending products and services.
North America Chapter Meeting
Hosted by Climate First Bank in Florida, USA. Topics included technology in green lending and finance for climate change and carbon emission reductions.
From top left to right: Africa Chapter Meeting in Accra, Ghana; Asia Pacific Chapter Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka; Europe Chapter Meeting in Canterbury, UK; Latin America Chapter Meeting in Popayán, Colombia; and North America Chapter Meeting in Florida, USA.
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE GABV COMMUNITY
Throughout the year, the GABV organised webinars and events for its members on various topics.
- With support from long-standing partner FMO, the GABV hosted a Funders Event ahead of the GABV Annual Meeting in Uganda, bringing together investors and members from emerging markets to deepen their understanding of opportunities and constraints in values-based finance. The session fostered new connections between members and participating funders, and will be repeated in 2026.
- Ahead of the GABV Annual Meeting, a small group of CEOs joined a stopover experience in Ethiopia organised by Priscilla Sims Brown, CEO of Amalgamated Bank (USA). They visited Priscilla’s family’s NGO, Project Mercy, and engaged with leaders from the Ethiopian banking sector. The visit included a meeting with the Ethiopian Central Bank and has informed a set of GABV recommendations to support the development of a sustainable banking sector as liberalisation progresses.
The first Funders Event gathered 40 people in Uganda,
ahead of the Annual Meering.
GABV representatives meet with the Ethiopian Central Bank.
- In January, the GABV Secretariat hosted a fireside chat with former BRAC Bank CEO Selim Hussain and GABV Executive Director, Martin Rohner. Titled ‘’Resilience Amid Transition in Bangladesh’’, the conversation provided a first-hand account of the economic and financial landscape following the political transition in July 2024.
- The GABV’s Technology and AI webinar series concluded in February 2025 with a session featuring practical AI use cases from Verity Credit Union (USA), FINCA International and Caja Arequipa (Peru). The session highlighted how AI can advance the mission of values-based banks while offering clear guidance on responsible adoption, key considerations and common pitfalls to avoid. Members continued to share case studies throughout the year on other platforms.
PRACTITIONER POWER
Communities of Practice
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values convenes communities of practice to help strengthen our members and increase their positive impact. Together these communities address relevant topics, harnessing the knowledge of experts working on challenges and developing opportunities often unique to values-based banking.
GOVERNING BOARD FORUM
The Governing Board Forum (GBF) convenes non-executive board directors of GABV members to discuss issues related to the governance of values-based banks. The group met twice virtually and once in-person at the Annual Meeting in Kampala, Uganda where the focus was on governance in support of organisational, leadership and individual resilience during times of social and political breakdown.
Discussions at the virtual meetings cantered around how values-based banks can remain resilient and mission-driven amid geopolitical instability, regulatory changes, and shifting societal values.
Key topics included the impact of war and politics on banking, the need for advocacy and visibility, regional updates on technology, ownership, and sustainability, and sector trends such as consolidation and digitalisation.
35
GBF participants in Uganda
35 Board members of GABV banks participated in the 2025 Annual Meeting in Kampala.
IMPACT STRATEGY
The Impact Strategy Community of Practice concentrates on enhancing GABV members’ individual and collective impact. To that end, work has continued on the strategic priorities identified in the ‘Padua Impact Manifesto’ in 2024. This entails a particular focus on transforming the financial system through thought leadership and advocacy, member-led exchange on impact, demonstrating and leveraging impact, and educating, engaging and empowering customers and communities to drive change.
Presentation of the Policy Advocacy appraoch of the Impact
Strategy group at the Annual Meeting.
Strategy group at the Annual Meeting.
Four working groups respectively focusing on Biodiversity, Client Engagement, Impact Measurement and Policy Advocacy met regularly in 2025 to facilitate sharing and collaboration between practitioners. In addition, a workshop on climate target setting and transition planning was held.
The group’s four quarterly calls highlighted topics such as mental health integration, financing civil society organisations, and banks’ role and impact in the communities in times of conflict and unrest.
The GABV Scorecard and related enhancements, both in performance and methodological integrity, also remained a central part of the Community’s work throughout 2025.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
The Human Development (HD) Community of Practice held quarterly virtual calls and a half-day online Annual Meeting to exchange ideas and experiences around empowering AI in human resources, HR strategy development, balancing purpose and performance within the organization, and building an appealing values-based workplace in times of crisis.
Thirty HD and Marcomms leaders also convened in-person for the first joint HD and Marcomms Community of Practice meeting, hosted by City First Bank in Washington DC, USA, in May. The meeting theme “Reimagining the Power of Purpose: Resilient Leadership in an Evolving world” explored different values-based approaches to building strong, resilient internal and external communities.
Marcomms & HD participants at the in-person meeting in Washington DC.
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS (MARCOMMS)
Welcome reception by City First Bank in Washignton to
the Marcomms and HD Communities of Pracitce.
the Marcomms and HD Communities of Pracitce.
The Marketing and Communications Community of Practice convened in May for an in-person meeting in Washington together with the Human Development group. Apart from the shared agenda, a group of 12 Marcomms colleagues explored domain-specific topics including Artificial Intelligence in Communications, Shifting Narratives, and how values-based banks can stay bold and relevant in an evolving world.
Over the year, the group held quarterly virtual calls to discuss topics such as rebranding, sponsorship strategies or their teams structures. Several working group calls were held to discuss specific topics critical to the preparations for the Banking on Values Day campaign on 10 November, called Chat GABV.
The group also shared best practices and challenges related to the use of AI within their teams, as part of the broader work the GABV is undertaking on this topic.
Transformative Learning Programmes
Being a Board member or a senior manager at a values-based bank requires different skills and insights than at a conventional bank. The Global Alliance for Banking on Value (GABV) offers two programmes to support senior leaders and Board members to develop the personal leadership skills to guide their organisations with purpose and innovate for greater impact.
GABV LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
In 2025, the GABV Leadership Academy celebrated its 10th anniversary year with another exceptional edition in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) CoLab and the Presencing Institute (PI). Participants produced a short film that helps to understand the impact of the programme.
This milestone year included an in-person gathering in Uganda, alongside the annual meeting hosted by Centenary Bank. The programme was delivered in a hybrid format, combining in-person engagement with several sessions in a global virtual classroom spanning time zones from Uganda to Montana.
10th edition
The Leadership Academy Alumni group comprises more than 300 graduates of the GABV Leadership Academy, forming a global network that supports continued connection, peer learning, and knowledge exchange. During the year, quarterly virtual meetings explored how values in finance and technology can contribute to positive societal change.
A new Alumni newsletter was launched by Presencing Institute to highlight the real-world impact of GABV member banks and the people driving this work. Engagement within the network was further strengthened through the introduction of monthly Alumni Coffee Talks, providing an informal space for exchange, as well as quarterly Alumni Deep Dives focused on the practical application of values-based banking.
300 graduates
01:57
YouTube
GABV Leadership Academy 2025 Cohort Describes Their Time Together in One Word
The 10th cohort of the GABV Leadership Academy gathered in person in Kampala, Uganda during the 2025 GABV Annual Meeting — hear how they describe the experience in one word.
The 2025 Leadership Academy cohort met in person in Uganda.
GABV GOVERNANCE ACADEMY
The GABV Governance Academy, developed by the Institute for Values-Based Governance (IVBG), successfully held its third edition. This hybrid programme comprised three online modules and a single in-person module, which was organised alongside the annual meeting.
Participants engaged with experienced guest speakers from the GABV community to explore various strategies for enhancing values-based governance within their respective organisations.
The fourth edition of the GABV Governance Academy started in October 2025 with 17 participants and will conclude during the GABV Annual Meeting 2026 in March.
19
participants
from
11
banks
in 7 countries
Participants of the 2024/2025 cohort during the in-person module in Kampala, Uganda.
3
complete
editions
editions
Membership Collaboration & Engagement
Collaboration between member banks is a key benefit of Global Alliance for Banking on Values membership. In 2025, members continued to exchange knowledge, build relationships, and strengthen values-based banking through visits, peer learning, and joint initiatives.
MEMBER EXCHANGE AND VISITS
Member visits and exchanges are a valuable opportunity to learn, strengthen relationships, and provide support to new members on their values-based journey. The year saw strong cross-regional engagement.
For example, Vancity’s Board and Executive Leadership Team conducted a global learning tour to learn more about values-based banking in practice in different countries. The tour included visits to GABV members Unity Trust Bank in the UK, Triodos Bank in the Netherlands, Banca Etica in Italy and Laboral Kutxa in Spain.
Vancity also connected with Maria Flock- Åhlander, CEO, Ekobanken (Sweden) and Kim Sponem, CEO Summit Credit Union (USA) at the World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm (Sweden) in July.
The exchange on AI continued in a peer-to-peer session between the CEO of TISA Bank (Papua New Guinea) and ESAF Small Finance Bank (India).
Leaders from Scandinavian members Ekobanken (Sweden) and Merkur (Denmark) met to welcome Karoline Bakka Hjertø, the new CEO of Cultura Bank (Norway), and to exchange insights on the opportunities and challenges facing values-based banks in their markets.
In the Latin America and the Caribbean Chapter, collaboration remained strong. Banco Ademi (Dominican Republic) visited Banco Mundo Mujer (Colombia), while Banco Mundo Mujer later visited BancoSol (Bolivia). Additionally, Caja Arequipa (Peru) provided technical and strategic support to Banco Integral (El Salvador) to implement operational efficiency projects.
From top left to right: 1) Visit to Sarvodaya Development Finance, in Sri Lanka; 2) Visit to Banco Codesarrollo, in Ecuador; 3) Vancity (Canada) visits Bank Australia; 4) The GABV Secretariat receives SDB bank's (Sri Lanka) visit in Amsterdam; 4) Vancity visits Laboral Kutxa (Spain).
BANKING ON VALUES DAY 2025: CHATGABV
Banking on Values Day 2025 marked its 12th edition on 10 November with a focus on the role of AI in shaping our understanding of banking. The campaign featured an online interactive experience, #ChatGABV, an AI-generated film in four languages, and a dedicated microsite:
Banking on Values Day 2025 marked its 12th edition on 10 November with a focus on the role of AI in shaping our understanding of banking. The campaign featured an online interactive experience, #ChatGABV, an AI-generated film in four languages, and a dedicated microsite:
The campaign successfully engaged diverse communities and sparked global conversations about values-based banking, including an article with our Chair David Reiling, in the American Banker.
75%
participation from membership across 34 countries
8.5M
people reached online
500K
video views
406K
visits to the website
700
new social media followers
A blog post outlined the rationale behind the campaign and our call for a shift in the banking narrative, including the ethical dilemmas we face in the use of AI and our approach to offsetting the AI-generated video footprint. We also created a resource page with guidance on responsible AI use, offering clear recommendations and interactive prompts.
02:06
YouTube
Help AI Rethink Banking. Search #ChatGABV
Artificial Intelligence is shaping how we learn, think, and imagine the future. But what happens when AI learns from outdated ideas about banking? This short film challenges conventional wisdom and asks a bold question: What kind of banking does the world truly need? Discover how values-based banks and credit unions around the globe are already building fairer, greener, and more inclusive communities—and why their stories must be part of the data that shapes AI. Let’s show AI—and the world—what
PROMOTING BANKING ON VALUES DAY WORLDWIDE
Some best practices from our member banks promoting Banking on Values Day in their markets, included:
Kompanion Bank (Kyrgyzstan) launched a dedicated microsite and produced a video highlighting the use of AI at the bank. In addition, the bank organised an internal creative challenge for employees.
NMB Bank (Nepal) produced and shared an original video for Banking on Values Day, featuring its co-workers.
3Bank (Serbia) and Magnet Bank (Hungary) translated the video to their local languages. vdk bank (Belgium) and ABS (Switzerland) used the French and German versions of the video.
Credit Human (USA) created a countdown campaign in the lead-up to the event and produced a video with co-workers.
SozialBank (Germany) featured the campaign in an interview with Martin Rohner in their corporate magazine Sozialus.
G&C Mutual (Australia), Sunrise Banks (USA), Kindred Credit Union (Canada), and MagNet Bank posted their own articles.
ESAF Small Finance Bank (India) celebrated their Environmental Week alongside the Banking on Values Day.
Triodos Bank (Netherlands) dedicated an internal Group Community Meeting attended to mark Banking on Values Day on 10 November.
AI FOR GOOD: USE CASES IN THE NETWORK
Following the momentum created in 2024, the GABV continued its AI for Good work throughout 2025, with a full year of learning and collaboration across the network. The 12-month AI webinar series concluded at the 2025 Annual Meeting, where a survey showed that all participating members were already using, or planning to use, AI in their institutions.
During 2025, AI remained a cross-cutting priority. It was addressed in three Communities of Practice—Human Development, Marketing & Communications, and the Governing Board—and discussed in nearly every Regional Chapter Meeting. Topics ranged from “where to start” to ethical deployment and operationalising AI within a values-based framework.
A major outcome of this work was the creation of the GABV AI Resource Library, providing exclusive content for members and available on the community space. It includes:
- Webinar recordings and Annual Meeting sessions
- Use cases from GABV member banks
- External tools and playbooks on ethical and responsible AI
This shared library will continue to grow in 2026.
3
webinars
11
use cases
100%
CEO survey respondents
are using, or planning
to use, AI
SHARED KNOWLEDGE: BEST PRACTICES LIBRARY
The Best Practices Library presents a curated collection of values-driven initiatives from member banks of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV). This living resource, provided exclusively for members, captures innovative practices and stories that reveal how GABV banks are embedding values into every aspect of their operations - from the services they offer to the partnerships they form in order to engage with their communities.
200+
best practices
identified
60
best practices
included the library
PARTNERING FOR CHANGE
Public Engagement
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) engages with partners aligned with movement’s goals and collaborate with a variety of organisations to help deliver systemic change in the financial sector.
SUPPORTING AND ECOSYSTEM PARTNERS
Partnerships are central to the GABV’s mission to transform finance for people and planet. Within our network, we distinguish between Supporting Partners – financially contributing organisations such as Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), impact investors, and development organisations—and Ecosystem Partners, which include research, advocacy, and civil society organisations.
These partnerships amplify our impact by contributing collaboration, expertise, and resources.
Throughout the year, partners actively engaged in our events and projects. Key examples included:
- FMO’s continued and generous support for the Correspondent Banking Project, as well as enabling the first-ever Funders Meeting held alongside the Annual Meeting.
- Opportunity International enriched the Latin America and Caribbean Chapter Meeting with insights from its Educational Finance programme.
- Through the SME Finance Forum, the GABV was showcased at its SME Finance Master Class, expanding visibility among financial institutions in the Global South.
- Collaboration with the Institute for Social Banking on the ISB Online Fellowship and the International Summer School on Social Banking & Sustainable Finance.
- Collaboration with the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers (FEBEA) on several initiatives, including the launch of 8th Ethical and Values-Based Finance Report in Europe by Fondazione Finanza Etica.
6
supporting
partners
PARTNERING FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE
Beyond its formal partnerships, the GABV engaged widely with actors across the financial system to advance positive transformation. Key activities included:
- Ethical banking event in Brussels: The GABV and FEBEA co-organised a conference with the European Investment Bank Group, bringing together European institutions around one powerful question: "How can we align efforts for deeper impact?"
- Contribution to the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD) Alliance: Participation in membership webinars and provided extensive feedback on the Conceptual Foundations Discussion Paper, helping advance shared terminology on social and inequality-related issues.
- Board representation within PCAF: The GABV maintained a strategic role in the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), holding three seats on its global Board through two member banks and the Secretariat.
- Fossil-fuel phase-out advocacy: The GABV endorsed Banking on Climate Chaos 2025 and continued to collaborate with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, strengthening sector-wide efforts to accelerate a fair and orderly transition away from fossil fuels.
- Sustainable Banking Coalition: The GABV joined the Steering Committee, whose role is to provide strategic oversight and ensure that the Coalition’s work aligns with the broader objectives of sustainable finance agenda in the European Union.
Martin Rohner, GABV Executive Director, at the European Investment Bank.
PUBLIC AGENDA
The GABV contributes to a global agenda of key events during the year. In 2025 that included:
- Presentation of the 8th Report on Ethical and Values-Based Finance in Europe by Fondazione Banca Etica in Brussels.
- The 16th ‘International Summer School on Social Banking & Sustainable in Bochum, Germany.
- ISB Online Fellowship.
- Sustainable Investment Forum Europe 2025 in Paris, France.
- High Level Meeting with the Ethiopia Central Bank in Addis Ababa.
- The Global Climate Finance Forum (GCFF) in Jamaica.
- The WTO Chairs Program (WCP) 3rd Annual Conference 2025 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Nepal Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) Summit 2025 in Kathmandu.
- Webinar - The Development Bank of Nigeria and LAPO Bank: A Successful Partnership.
- Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) conference in New York, USA.
- The Gap in Between, organised by Social Nest Foundation in Valencia, Spain.
- Central East Europe Sustainable Finance Summit organised by the International Sustainable Finance Centre (ISFC) in Prague, Czech Republic.
- Swiss Social Economy Forum in Basel, Switzerland.
- Values-Based Finance Conference 2025 at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands).
- 25th Anniversary of Etica SGR (Banca Etica group) in Rome, Italy.
- Fireside Chat on Values-Based Banking organised by Climate First Bank.
- Session on Islamic Finance – Between Challenges and Opportunities by Promus network in Milan, Italy.
- EtiCall Summer School in Aia Santa (Italy), organised by Banca Etica group.
- Webinar "Banking on Values. Impact Finance" in cooperation with the Uniandinos, the University of the Andes Alumni Association, Attorney Chapter, in Colombia.
- Presentation of the “Responsible Banking Outlook: Spain 2025’’ report in Madrid.
OUR PUBLIC VOICE
Interview to Martin Rohner at the Money for Change podcast by Triodos Bank
Purposely Podcast with Martin Rohner
Purposely Podcast
'Leading A Global Movement Based On Values', Martin Rohner
Welcoming Martin Rohner, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), to Purposely Podcast to share how finance - when aligned with purpose - can drive lasting, positive change for people and the planet.Martin and his team lead a global network of independent banks committed to using money to support social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience. His role takes him to communities around the world, from Europe to Africa, where he sees first-hand h
American Banker article on ChatGABV
Op-ed about impact measurement at Reslient.org
resilience
Beyond Measurement: Why Impact Must Become an Attitude, Not Just a Metric
We stand at a turning point. The tools for impact measurement exist and knowledge continues to grow. But the decisive step is cultural: Are we ready to take impact seriously - not just as a metric but as the goal of our actions?
New Vision news article
New Vision
Business: Centenary Bank to host Global Alliance for Banking
The event is set to take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo from March 10th to 14th, 2025 and will bring together a global network of independent banks committed to using finance to drive sustainable economic, social, and environmental development.
Op-ed article at Reuters about weapons and sustainable investments:
Article about the GABV at the International Business Times:
CEMS interview:
Climate Action
Addressing climate change is an important goal of values-based banking, whether it is through mitigation or adaptation. The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) supports members to advance climate action through a combination of implementing high quality carbon accounting and disclosures, capacity-building, and integrated impact strategy.
ADVANCING GLOBAL CLIMATE ACCOUNTABILITY
In 2025, the GABV continued to strengthen its leadership in shaping climate accountability standards across the financial sector, particularly through its longstanding work in advancing the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF).
The GABV was instrumental in globalizing the PCAF initiative early, helping it evolve from a Dutch bank–led effort into a globally recognised standard. Today, more than 700 financial institutions, including some of the world’s largest, are PCAF signatories, with many others applying the methodology.
In 2025, our members ACBA Bank (Armenia), Compartamos Banco (Mexico) and Investment and Credit Bank – ICB (Tajikistan) became new PCAF signatories, bringing the total number of GABV members committing to PCAF to 40 by the year end.
Climate First Bank (USA), Freie Gemeinschaftsbank (Switzerland), and Unity Trust Bank (UK) disclosed using the PCAF methodology for the first time in 2025. By the end of the year, a total of 31 GABV members disclosed and actively used financial emissions accounting as a key indicator for managing their environmental impact.
28 members of the GABV have been pioneers in their countries in GHG accounting and reporting. Examples include 3Bank, which continues to be the only Serbian financial institution committed to PCAF, and ICB, the first financial institution in Tajikistan to make this commitment.
40
GABV members are signatories of PCAF
31
GABV members disclosed GHG emissions in 2025
28
GAB members have been pioneers in their countries in GHG accounting
Figure 1: Number of GABV members committed to PCAF and disclosing their financed emissions (including PCAF signatories, as well as non-signatories that disclose their emissions using the Standard), broken down by region.
Figure 2: Despite being, on average, 40 times smaller than PCAF signatories in terms of assets under management, GABV members account for 9% of all commercial banks that are PCAF signatories — over 15% in Africa and 19% in Latin America and the Caribbean. In North America, they account for 28% of commercial banks that regularly disclose their emissions through PCAF
CLIMATE ACTION SUPPORT
The GABV Secretariat continues to extend its focus to further support members on their climate finance journey, including approaches to target setting and just transition planning. In 2025, this included the organisation of two dedicated workshops for around 10 members, providing a space to share best practice in setting emissions reduction targets and implementing transition actions.
The GABV continued to engage with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty during the year and is the first financial network to sign up to the need for a binding Treaty that delivers a just transition away from fossil fuels, with 25 member banks signalling their endorsement.
Ivan Frishberg (Amalgamated Bank) chairs PCAF.
PCAF Board Meeting.
Climate-related work is also closely integrated with other pillars of GABV’s Impact Strategy. This includes policy advocacy efforts supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy, the integration of climate and renewable energy indicators into impact measurement frameworks, the promotion of client engagement strategies that incentivise climate-friendly lending, and the exploration of linkages between climate action and biodiversity goals.
Through this integrated approach, the Secretariat supports members in embedding climate considerations across their strategies, operations, and real-economy financing activities. In 2026, the Secretariat will consolidate these services into a coherent modular climate action programme that offers flexibility, scalability, and responsiveness to members’ diverse levels of climate maturity.
This programme builds on the Climate Change Commitment (3C), launched in 2019. The 3C marked a significant milestone in our collective climate work and was among the first sector-wide initiatives to advance this practice, forming the foundation for the broader and more structured support we are now developing.
Research and Advocacy
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) conducts research and advocacy on selected topics that are relevant to values-based banking and where it can contribute with its rich experience and practical examples.
POLICY ADVOCACY
As a movement of values-based banks, the GABV has worked to formalise and strengthen its approach to policy advocacy, aiming to better influence financial systems in line with our values and create conditions that enable greater positive impact.
The Policy Advocacy Working Group—launched in September 2024 within the Impact Strategy Community of Practice—developed a blueprint for the GABV’s advocacy approach, approved at the March 2025 Annual Meeting. The blueprint sets out the rationale and structure for accelerating the GABV’s advocacy agenda, including shared principles in a Manifesto for Sustainable Banking Regulation, practical guidance for collective and tailored advocacy, and proposed guidelines for influencing financial policy and regulation. It also identifies two initial pilot themes: energy and social equity and inclusion.
The second phase, running through 2025–2026, focuses on setting advocacy priorities for these themes. As part of this work, the Working Group is developing a GABV position paper on financial inclusion.
In late 2025, the Secretariat also launched a capacity-building webinar series featuring experts from GABV banks and external organisations. These sessions present practical examples of policies, good practices, and advocacy strategies, particularly in the areas of:
- Buildings decarbonisation and energy efficiency,
- Financial inclusion.
The first webinar, led by Vancity, highlighted its work to advance and protect policies governing greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment and was very well received. The upcoming webinars are expected to further strengthen members’ advocacy capabilities and collective impact.
LAUNCH OF THE GABV ACADEMIC NETWORK
The GABV Academic Network was launched in March 2025 with the purpose to raise visibility and awareness of values-based banking within the academic community and among other stakeholders.
This global, collaborative platform aims to leverage academic knowhow and resources for research into the advantages and challenges of values-based banking. These connections will also help integrate values-based banking content in the academic curriculum to provide students a more rounded view of banking and its potential.
Membership is open to individual academic scholars and researchers worldwide who focus on research, teaching, knowledge transfer and advocacy in values-based banking and related fields.
The Steering Committee includes representatives from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, UPF Barcelona School of Management (Spain) and the University of Hamburg (Germany).
The group, coordinated by GABV Head of Impact and Research, Tytti Kaasinen, held three calls during the year, initially to build a shared understanding of GABV and its member banks, and subsequently to explore more concretely the potential synergies and research opportunities.
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members of the GABV Academic Network
GABV - Global Alliance for Banking on Values
GABV Academic Network - GABV - Global Alliance for Banking on Values
The GABV Academic Network is a principles-based collaboration to leverage academic knowhow and resources for research underpinning the need for and advantages of values-based banking.
GABV SCORECARD: A TOOL TO MEASURE, AND IMPROVE VALUES-BASED PRACTICE
Developed by practitioners, the GABV Scorecard is a tool to structure and measure the vision, strategy and practice of values-based banks. Based on the six Principles of Values-Based Banking, it provides a framework to capture and improve how GABV members support the real economy and create positive impact.
In 2025, the Secretariat expanded the use of the Scorecard across the network and presented the updated dashboard at all Regional Chapter Meetings. Members welcomed the improvements and valued the ability to analyse their results, compare performance with peers, and identify strengths and areas to improve.
Several banks, including Alternative Bank Schweiz and Triodos Bank, use the Scorecard for internal benchmarking or integrate it into external reporting to show their alignment with values-based banking. In 2025, roughly 90% of active GABV members submitted their Scorecards, a 34% increase compared with the previous year, which illustrate members’ growing commitment to the process.
For the Secretariat, the dashboard supports deeper analysis by region, institution size and business model, helping to reflect the diversity across the GABV network. It is also a key tool to evaluate member engagement, identify best practices and collect data to support research..
Average scores by region in the GABV Scorecard:
34% more
members submitted their
Scorecard for 2024
Scorecard for 2024
THE GABV SCORECARD AS A RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In 2025 , the GABV Secretariat continued deepening the use of GABV Scorecard data to support research. In 2025, the Scorecard informed the 8th Report on Ethical Finance in Europe “Capital for the Common Good: Ethical Banks and the Social Economy for the Future of Europe,” published by FEBEA and Fondazione Finanza Etica. In addition, the GABV Scorecard methodology was presented to members of the GABV Academic Network to encourage further research initiatives based on this approach.
The Secretariat also collaborated with a team of researchers from the UPF Barcelona School of Management on the second edition of the report “Responsible Banking Outlook: Spain 2025''. This study examined the 11 Spanish banks that are signatories to the UNEP FI Principles for Responsible Banking, assessing their alignment with values-based banking using the GABV Scorecard, as well as the degree of implementation of mandatory taxonomy disclosures and other ESG-related requirements. Not surprisingly, associate member Laboral Kutxa stood out in the study.
The Regional Chapters
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) has established five regions where Chief Executive Officers and senior colleagues convene to address topics that matter most to them. The Chapters are supported by regional representatives, all of whom are senior bankers with extensive experience in the regions they serve.
MEMBERSHIP PER REGION AS OF FEBRUARY 2026
ASIA PACIFIC CHAPTER
The Asia Pacific (APAC) Chapter is home to 15 banks operating in 12 countries by the year end. In total, the Chapter’s members serve 15 million customers, manage USD 43 billion in assets and employ more than 31,000 people.
The APAC region remains the world’s fastest-growing economic hub, contributing nearly 60 percent of global growth in 2025. This growth has persisted despite headwinds such as trade tensions, US tariffs, geopolitical uncertainties, and subdued domestic demand.
Resilience has been underpinned by promising technology developments—particularly advances in AI —alongside robust exports and policy easing. However, sustaining momentum in the face of a less favourable external environment, weak consumer spending, and global volatility all pose challenges. Climate vulnerability remains a pressing concern for members in a region which is vulnerable to the impact of intensifying extreme weather events.
Two new members in the region joined the Chapter during the year, both in countries where we already had a presence: Sarvodaya Development Finance (SDF) in Sri Lanka and Bank Arvand in Tajikistan. SDF hosted a highly engaging Regional Chapter Meeting in the fall, where delegates visited the organisation’s main office, including its original birthplace. Representatives from the GABV Secretariat and FMO also visited the Colombo office of our other member in the country, SDB Bank.
Upendra Poudyal, APAC Regional Representative, met with FMO officials in both Nepal and the Netherlands, and visited NMB Bank and Muktinath Development Bank in Nepal. Muktinath concluded its membership at the beginning of the year due to financial difficulties. In addition, XacBank in Mongolia; North East Small Finance Bank in India; and Australian mutual banks Teachers Mutual Bank Limited and Australia Mutual Bank left the network during 2025.[
The GABV also engaged with mainstream banks in the region as part of its strategy to expand the impact of values-based banking.
During the year, G&C Mutual Bank in Australia shared its successful “Merger of Equals” with Unity Bank in a CEO call. The case study emphasised how a values-based approached helped to overcome integration challenges, cultural alignment, and strategic positioning under the theme of “Mutually valuable banking for people and planet.”
Bilateral engagements included knowledge-sharing on AI. These exchanges highlight the region’s commitment to leveraging technology for inclusive growth.
NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER
The North American Chapter consists of 17 banks, including 13 in the USA and three in Canada. In total they serve nearly 2.4 million customers, manage USD 87 billion in assets and employ over 8,000 people.
The North American Regional Chapter doubled down on mission in 2025. With political headwinds making messaging complicated, top items on the members’ agenda were advancing strategy, improving operations, and strengthening management. The objective was to hone the ability to scale impact.
We welcomed a new member, Mascoma Bank in New England, and were pleased that both Civic Credit Union and Climate First Bank transitioned from associate to full membership.
Throughout the year there was keen interest in finding ways to use AI to improve efficiency and accuracy in the lending process. Members actively participated in the GABV Technology Advisory Group Steering Committee to learn from the experience of the global membership.
There was also significant interest in transitioning traditional branches from transaction-focused centres to financial wellness centres that assist customers to improve their overall financial position with stronger skills management.
Steve Hennington, CEO of Credit Human, gave member CEOs an update on their process to close all branches and open these special centres. Credit Human is doing a long-term study to see how a deeper relationship with a values-based bank can positively impact customers’ financial wellbeing.
Climate First Bank hosted the annual North American Regional Chapter meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida, in November, with strong participation from members. Founder Ken LaRoe and CEO Lex Ford led a programme featuring thoughtful speakers and lively discussions on topics such as technology in green lending and the role of financial management in reducing carbon emissions.
The meeting also included a guest appearance by environmentalist and author Bill McKibben. The bank’s strong growth in solar lending underscored the continued interest of homeowners and businesses in transitioning to renewable energy.
Members in North America continue their focus on social equity and environmental sustainability.
EUROPE CHAPTER
The European Chapter comprises 21 members from 16 countries. Together, they serve 5.5 million customers, manage USD 103 billion in assets and employ 17,000 people.
The Chapter’s Steering Committee (Aysel Osmanoglu – GLS Bank in Germany, Ed Siegel – Charity Bank in the UK, Max Ruhri - Freie Gemeinschaftsbank in Switzerland, and Chapter Chair Maria Flock Åhlander – Ekobanken in Sweden) organised five CEO calls. Topics discussed in these calls included the decline of the European Union (EU) Green Deal, advocacy for the values-based banking practice in the EU institutions, and reputational issues.
A well-attended Regional Chapter Meeting was held in the fall, hosted by Charity Bank in Canterbury (UK). Important topics of discussion included interest in common tools for raising equity, challenges and opportunities around AI, finance for Nature-based Solutions, advocacy, and the social economy.
The GABV in collaboration with Italian member, Banca Etica, and supporting partner, FEBEA, organised an internal workshop with the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund in Brussels in June.
The aim of the meeting was to catalyse a collaboration on a guaranteed scheme, and to address the financial needs of the social economy.
During the year, the European Regional Representative, Ugo Biggeri, visited Charity Bank (UK), Banca Etica (Italy), GLS Bank and SozialBank (Germany). He also represented the GABV as a speaker on sustainable finance at events in the Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Spain and the USA. Topics included a backlash against sustainable finance in the EU and advocacy work against investments in weapons of war building on the GABV Milan Declaration for Peace in 2024.
The GABV Secretariat engaged with Triodos Bank throughout the year on different occasions. Tytti Kaasinen, Head of Impact and Research, participated in a stakeholder dialogue, while Knowledge and Network Manager, Alice Khounta, presented the GABV at a Triodos Group Community Meeting attended by around 40 colleagues.
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN CHAPTER
The Latin America and the Caribbean Chapter includes 11 members in ten countries. In total, they serve 7.5 million customers, manage over USD 12 billion in assets and employ over 36,000 people.
2025 was a year of transition for many members in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, with five new CEOs appointed. Two of these new CEOs belong to new members of the network: full member Compartamos Banco (Mexico) and associate member Financiera Paraguayo Japonesa (Paraguay).
After two years of suspension, Banco Solidario (Ecuador) decided not to reactivate its membership due to continued financial difficulties stemming from the country’s economic crisis. Cooperativa Abaco also suspended its membership following a crisis in the cooperative sector in Peru.
Throughout the year, members continued to strengthen ties through dialogue and collaboration. Two virtual CEO meetings were held to discuss strategic aspects of values-based banking, including current challenges in AI and Cybersecurity. As a follow up, the GABV will facilitate group contact between members to exchange concerns, experiences, and knowledge on the subject.
The Regional Chapter Meeting was organised by Banco Mundo Mujer in Popayán, Colombia. Discussions focused on the current context of the region, AI, gender inclusion, and sustainability from the customer's perspective, among other topics. Participants could also visit Banco Mundo Mujer's new building.
Following the meeting, GABV Executive Director, Martin Rohner, and Chapter Regional Representative, Martha Lucía Rojas, visited Banco Codesarrollo in Quito, Ecuador, where they engaged with the management team, members of the Board, co-workers, and clients.
César Barahona, CEO of Banco Integral (El Salvador), was appointed as a new member of the Board and Chapter Chair, replacing Marcelo Escobar, who stepped down from his role as CEO of BancoSol (Bolivia).
With the approval of the GABV Board, the Chapter changed its name to Latin America and the Caribbean to be more geographically accurate and inclusive. The region will host the 2026 Annual Meeting in the Dominican Republic, hosted by Banco Ademi.
AFRICA CHAPTER
The African Chapter consists of nine banks in six countries as of February 2026. In total, they serve 12M customers, manage USD 2 billion in assets and employ 15,000 people.
2025 was an impactful year for the GABV Africa Chapter with membership growing from five to eight members, Chapter cohesion consolidated and the appointment, for the first time, of an African Regional Representative, Célestin Mukeba.
Two new members joined the network at the beginning of the year: BRAC Uganda Bank and Opportunity International Uganda. Also in Uganda, the Chapter’s founding member, Centenary Bank, hosted the first-ever GABV Annual Meeting in Africa, in March. Members from across the world came together around the theme “Building Resilient Futures: Lessons from Africa and Values-based Banking.”
The annual meeting was preceded by a visit to Ethiopia by Executive Director, Martin Rohner, and Africa Chapter Chair and Centenary Bank CEO, Fabian Kasi, together with the CEOs of Opportunity Bank Uganda, Amalgamated Bank, Sunrise Banks and City First Bank in the USA, and Merkur in Denmark.
The visit laid a strong foundation between the GABV, the Central Bank of Ethiopia and the wider Ethiopian banking sector. It also resulted in Enat Bank joining the network as an associate member before the year end.
The fall Regional Chapter Meeting was hosted by Opportunity Savings and Loans (OISL) Ghana, and built more cohesion among all Africa GABV members addressing topics including how to implement an effective AI strategy in a values-based bank. The meeting included a special Friday Morning devotion at OISL, a visit to the Kayayie Project on women empowerment and a cultural visit to the Cape Coast.
The Chapter has engaged with and benefited from connections across the GABV network during the year. An Africa Chapter CEO call took place in November with guest CEOs invited from other regions to share experiences on governance around AI strategy.
INSIDE THE GABV
Governance and Team
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) was established in 2009 as a Dutch not-for-profit foundation. The Board has a strategic leadership role and monitors organisational activities. Operational responsibilities and the execution of the strategy are delegated to the Secretariat.
THE BOARD
The GABV Board has a regional structure with the Chair and Vice-Chair selected on a global basis.
Given its strategic role in defining priorities for the movement, the Board consists of CEOs or other top management representatives of the GABV member institutions. It has a regional composition that ensures regional membership representation in decision making. Up to two Members At Large add to the diversity of the Board. Members of the Board are appointed by direct election from the members during the Annual General Meeting.
Changes in the Board
During the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) Chair, David Reiling, announced Cesar Barahona, Executive Director of Banco Integral in El Salvador, as the new Board Member for Latin America. Cesar succeeded Marcelo Escobar, CEO of BancoSol in Bolivia, who left the Board and his role at BancoSol at the end of 2024.
Margarita Cherikbaeva, CEO of Kompanion Bank in Kyrgyzstan, was also appointed as Board member at-large. Margarita and César are active and engaged members of the network and were warmly welcomed.
Selim’s successor was appointed in the fall. Dr. K. Paul Thomas is Managing Director and CEO of ESAF Small Finance Bank in India. Paul has been a long-standing supporter of the GABV, has actively engaged in its work for many years, and brings a wealth of regional expertise.
Selim Hussain, CEO of BRAC Bank in Bangladesh, was re-appointed for another term as Board member for Asia-Pacific during the AGM. Later in the year, Selim left the bank and relinquished his Board position. Selim was warmly thanked for his commitment to the GABV and the movement in Bangladesh, the region and globally.
Efforts to recruit new Board Members-At-Large continued during the year.
The new Board met in-person at the Asia Pacific Chapter Meeting in Sri Lanka.
THE SECRETARIAT
The GABV Secretariat organises and facilitates the network's activities. The core team is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. A network of advisors (including GABV Regional Representatives) operates remotely, ensuring close connections with members and partners.
The full Secretariat, including Regional Representatives who play a crucial role liaising with members in their region, aims to meet in person at least once a year. More recently, these meetings have been hosted by a member bank.
The 2025 meeting took place in Cologne, Germany, hosted by SozialBank and was an opportunity to consider how to better serve members, set goals and plan for the future of an expanding movement. The team were grateful for the opportunity to learn more about SozialBank’s highly impactful work in Germany’s social sector.
Changes in the Secretariat During 2025
After five years of dedicated service, Jean Pogge stepped down from the role of Regional Representative for North America in the fall.
During her tenure, Jean was instrumental in building a thriving North American chapter, growing its membership and positioning the GABV within key banking and civil society networks across the USA and Canada.
Paula Martin is Jean’s able successor. Paula, who has been closely involved in the GABV’s work for many years, is a seasoned banking executive with expertise in governance, strategy, and community engagement. Paula brings extensive experience from her time at Vancity, Canada’s largest community credit union and a long-standing GABV member, in executive roles including Advisor to the CEO, SVP of Marketing, and Chief People Officer.
In addition, for the first time, a Regional Representative for Africa, Célestin Mukeba, was appointed to support expansion of the GABV network in the region and, more broadly, to support the Chapter itself.
Célestin has over 18 years of experience in the financial sector, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In addition to his banking career, he served as the Chair of the UN Global Compact Network in the DRC.
The Board and Secretariat’s Roles and profiles are available on the website:
GABV - Global Alliance for Banking on Values
Who we are - GABV - Global Alliance for Banking on Values
Get to know the GABV team and Board. A global group of values-based professionals committed to creating a positive impact through finance. See how we’re structured and governed.
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The GABV Secretariat met in Cologne, Germany, hosted by SozialBank.
MANAGEMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT’S FOOTPRINT
GHG emissions estimation and management
In 2025, the GABV Secretariat conducted its third Greenhouse Gas (GHG) screening to better understand its footprint, disclose it transparently for stakeholders and use this as a basis to continue to manage its footprint proactively in the future. This estimate is based on annual GHG emissions related to the main sources of emissions of the GABV’s core Secretariat.
The Secretariat’s GHG emissions for relevant categories have been estimated at 30 tCO2eq. over the course of 2025, divided between Scope 2 (Indirect emissions from purchased or acquired electricity, natural gas and water) and Scope 3 (Cat. 15 Business travel) emissions.
The Secretariat’s 2025 footprint declined by 80% compared with 2024, when the same figure was 166 tCO2eq. This was due to a reduction in long-haul business travel, an increase in train travel, and a decrease resulting from changes to the Emission Factors from Defra (the UK government department for environment, food and rural affairs) – which is considered a key third-party database by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol).
The emission factor for long-haul flights changed from 0.2613 kgCO2e/km to 0.1873 kgCO2e/km, contributing to a total emission reduction of -7%. The remaining reduction is due to the decrease in mileage in long-haul (-62%) and short-haul (-31%) flights.
In addition to the 2025 measurements above, we have included the calculation of CO2 emissions resulting from the GABV’s Banking on Values Day campaign during the year. The development of a campaign challenging the role of AI in understanding banking, #ChatGABV, produced emissions 90kg CO2e. Since our use of AI goes beyond video production, we decided to offset 1 tonne of CO₂ for the campaign, bringing total emissions to 30 tCO2.
Capture of residual GHG emissions
The project removes CO₂ from the atmosphere through ARR activities (Afforestation, Reforestation, or Revegetation), a large-scale tree planting and landscape restoration in a region known for its unique karst. Beyond its climate benefits, the project supports biodiversity, improves soil and water conservation, and creates income and employment opportunities for local communities. We selected this project because it delivers both measurable CO₂ removals and meaningful social and environmental co-benefits.
To fully compensate for its greenhouse gas emissions (30 tCO₂e), the GABV Secretariat purchased and retired Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) from the “Qianbei Afforestation Project”[ in Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, China. These credits are certified by Verra under the Verified Carbon Standard.
More information about the project is available at: https://registry.verra.org/app/projectDetail/VCS/2082
CREDITS
Coordination and editorial lead: Sonia Felipe Larios
Design and layout: LUNELLI Studio
Content and data: GABV Secretariat & Regional Representatives
Images: GABV database and member banks
Design and layout: LUNELLI Studio
Content and data: GABV Secretariat & Regional Representatives
Images: GABV database and member banks
WWW.GABV.ORG