When we think about sustainable investing, we often think first of climate change, clean energy or social impact. But there is another area where investors can help drive real progress – health and safety.

From safer workplaces to better road technology, long-term improvements in safety can save lives, prevent injuries and support stronger, better-run businesses.

In this article, Peter Michaelis, Head of the Liontrust Sustainable Investment team, explains why health and safety is one of the themes underpinning Liontrust’s sustainable investment approach – and why it can be an important sign of business quality. 

One of the key themes underpinning our investment approach is Improving safety and resilience. As our economies and societies advance, we continually develop ways to reduce the likelihood of accidents – whether in daily life or at work. The degree of improvement achieved is remarkable and deserves to be celebrated. Sustainable investors also have an important role to play in encouraging further progress.

Progress in the workplace

Consider workplace accidents here in the UK. RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) records that in 2000 there were 292 workforce fatalities and 1.1 million non-fatal injuries. In 2025 those figures stood at 124 and 680,000 respectively. When we factor in the expansion of the workforce – from 28 million to 33.5 million – the rate of improvement is even more striking. Put another way, had accident rates remained at their 2000 levels, there would have been 211 additional fatalities and 660,000 additional injuries every year. Over 25 years, this represents a remarkable 5,000 lives saved and 15 million injuries prevented.

The construction sector has perhaps seen the most dramatic turnaround. In 2000, it accounted for around 100 deaths per year; now that figure is approximately 40. This has been achieved through integrating safety considerations at the early design stage, expanding off-site construction, and training workers to identify risks and empowering them to act before accidents occur.

We view worker safety as a key indicator of overall business quality. Companies that manage safety well tend to manage their broader operations well too. One example is Berkeley Group, the UK housebuilder. Through its partnership with RoSPA, Berkeley has consistently maintained an AIIR (Annual Injury Incidence Rate) one third below the industry average. We see a strong connection between this and the quality of its buildings, as reflected in a net promoter score of +81.6 from its customers.

Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) has delivered meaningful and sustained improvements in workplace safety over the past three years, reflecting both the effectiveness of its operational strategy and a deepening safety culture. The company’s Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) has steadily improved from 2.6 → 2.1 → 1.96 between FY2023 and FY2025, representing a 25 per cent reduction over the period. This positions ADS well ahead of industry benchmarks, outperforming both the plastic pipe manufacturing industry average of 3.2 and the broader US manufacturing average of 2.8 in the most recent comparable year.

A significant driver of this improvement is ADS’ continued investment in safety‑related operational enhancements. In the past year alone, the company invested $13.3 million (£9.92 million) in environmental, health, and safety (EHS) projects across its manufacturing and logistics network, with a particular emphasis on automating downstream manufacturing tasks, a high-risk area for safety incidents. The company has also implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system aimed at preventing, identifying, and correcting hazards before injuries occur, underpinned by strengthened training, hazard‑reporting processes, and employee empowerment.

We have engaged with ADS on its health and safety performance each year since taking a position in the Funds, and it is reassuring to see such clear, evidence‑based improvement in outcomes. This progress reflects a credible long‑term commitment to maintaining a safe working environment across the organisation.

Progress on the roads

Progress beyond the workplace has been equally significant. Road fatalities in the EU fell from 50,000 per year in 2000 to 19,800 by 2024. It remains striking that figures of this magnitude do not command daily headlines – even the improved numbers are comparable with casualties in a major armed conflict. The FIA Foundation has campaigned consistently for a Vision Zero target, advocating for higher safety standards, better road infrastructure and lower speed limits as practical, proven solutions. More recently, advances in vehicle safety technology have added further tools to that effort.

With this in mind, we hold an investment in D’Ieteren, whose brands include Autoglass and Belron. In addition to repairing and replacing damaged windscreens, Belron recalibrates the sensors essential to collision avoidance and autonomous driving technologies. We also invest in Alphabet, which is transforming urban transport through its Waymo self-driving taxi service. Swiss Re estimates that bodily injury accident rates for Waymo are an extraordinary 92 per cent lower than those of conventional taxis.

The case for long-term commitment

None of this happens by accident, if you will excuse the pun. It is instructive that road fatality rates in the US have stagnated, with 39,000 deaths recorded in 2024, at a rate two to three times that of the UK. Sustained progress requires long-term planning and the determination to deliver incremental improvements year after year. UK workplace safety gains, for instance, trace back to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and have demanded decades of education, technological application and the sharing of best practice. Equally important has been helping businesses understand that worker wellbeing is not merely a moral obligation, but a long-term driver of commercial success – a message that sustainable investors have long brought to company management.

To that end, we continue to engage with our portfolio companies to promote best practice and, crucially, to encourage robust monitoring, reporting and target-setting. There remains a long way to go, but there is also much progress worth celebrating.

For Good With Money readers, the key point is that sustainable investing is not only about what companies avoid, it’s also about what they actively improve.

Health and safety may not always grab headlines, but the long-term impact can be profound – from fewer workplace injuries to safer roads and better outcomes for communities.

As ever, investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. This article is for information only and should not be taken as financial advice.

If you’re looking for a quick answer, these are some of the best ethical current accounts in the UK right now, based on transparency, lending policies and impact:

• Triodos Bank: a fully impact-led bank and the benchmark for ethical banking
• The Co-operative Bank: long-standing ethical policy with mainstream features
• Nationwide Building Society: member-owned with improving sustainability, though not purely ethical 

We’ll walk through each option below.

Why ethical banking matters

Banks don’t just hold your money – they use it.

That means your current account balance can help fund anything from renewable energy projects to fossil fuel expansion.

Recent data shows major banks are still heavily financing oil and gas. For example, Barclays provided $35.4 billion (£26.26 billion) in fossil fuel financing in 2024, according to the Banking on Climate Chaos report.

For many people, that raises the question: is there a better option?

The answer is yes – and switching is easier than you might think, thanks to the Current Account Switch Service.

How we choose the best ethical current accounts

Not all “green” claims mean the same thing.

That’s why we use The Good Money Test to help assess whether a bank is genuinely trying to do better, or mostly talking a good game.

The test is built around five questions:

1. Where does your money go?
   Does the bank fund fossil fuels, weapons, tobacco or other harmful sectors?
2. Can you see what’s happening to it?
   Is the bank transparent about who it lends to, what it avoids and how it measures impact?
3. Is it doing any good?
   Does it actively support positive outcomes, such as renewable energy, social housing, charities or community businesses?
4. Are customers treated fairly?
   Are fees, features, overdrafts and customer protections clear and fair?
5. Do the actions back up the claims?
   Are ethics embedded across the business, or limited to a small green initiative or marketing campaign?

No bank is perfect. Some are fully impact-led but have fewer features. Others are more mainstream but still offer a better option than the biggest fossil-fuel funders. The aim is to help you see the difference.

The Good Money Test is not a pass/fail score. It is a way of asking better questions. A bank may be excellent on transparency but weaker on features, or strong on customer access but less impact-led than a specialist ethical provider. Where relevant, we explain those trade-offs so you can decide what matters most to you.

Best ethical current accounts in the UK (2026) – at a glance

1. Triodos Bank

• Monthly fee: £3
• Fossil fuel exposure: None
• Positive impact investment: Yes
• Overdraft: No
• FSCS protected: Yes
• Good With Money Good Egg: Yes

Triodos remains the gold standard for ethical banking in the UK.  It only lends to organisations with clear social, environmental or cultural benefits – and uniquely, it published every organisation it finances.

That level of transparency is rare. The trade-off is fewer features, such as no arranged overdraft. 

Best for: Those who want their money to actively fund positive change.

Read our full review of Triodos Bank

How to divest your money from fossil fuels

2. The Co-operative Bank

• Monthly fee: £0 – £15
• Fossil fuel exposure: No direct project finance
• Positive impact investment: Some
• Overdraft: Yes
• FSCS protected: Yes

The Co-operative Bank has one of the longest-running ethical policies in UK banking, shaped by customer input.

It avoids funding fossil fuel extraction and arms, while offering the kind of everyday features you’d expect from a high street bank.

It’s now owned by Coventry Building Society, which is a certified B Corp.

Best for: Ethical values with full-service banking.

The UK’s most ethical banks and building societies

3. Nationwide Building Society

If you’re a member, you can switch your main account to Nationwide’s FlexPlus, FlexDirect or FlexAccount using the Current Account Switch Service online and get £200. Ending 10 July.

• Monthly fee: £0 – £18
• Fossil fuel exposure: Indirect (via Virgin Money acquisition)
• Positive impact investment: Yes (e.g. social housing)
• Overdraft: Yes
• FSCS protected: Yes

As the UK’s largest mutual, Nationwide Building Society is owned by its members rather than shareholders.

It has climate targets and reports on emissions linked to its lending. However, its acquisition of Virgin Money UK means its overall footprint isn’t fully fossil-free.

Best for: A middle ground between ethics and mainstream banking.

Other banks people often ask about

• Monzo – avoids direct fossil fuel lending but doesn’t have a full ethical policy
• Al Rayan Bank – Sharia-compliant, but not necessarily fossil fuel-free

Are ethical current accounts safe?

Yes – most ethical current accounts are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

This means your money is protected up to £85,000 per person, per bank if the provider fails.

Some app-based providers use safeguarding instead, so it’s always worth checking.

How to avoid greenwashing

If you’re trying to work out whether a bank is truly ethical, look for:

• Clear exclusions (e.g. no fossil fuels)
• Detailed reporting on where money is lent
• Independent certifications (such as B Corp or Good With Money’s Good Egg)
• A long-term track record, not just recent marketing

Red flags include vague language, selective disclosures or small “green” initiatives alongside large-scale fossil fuel financing.

Why switch to an ethical current account

Switching your current account won’t change the world overnight.

But it does change what your money supports.

And in a system where banks still play a major role in funding fossil fuels, that choice carries more weight than it might seem.

Looking for more Good Money choices?

If you want a savings account, insurance policy, investment fund or mortgage from companies that do the right thing, check out our Good Eggs.

These are companies that have passed strict independent criteria to show they make a positive impact – for the planet, society and customers.

The Good Money Test is our editorial checklist for assessing financial providers. Our Good Egg is our formal kitemark.

If you want to have a savings account, insurance policy, investment fund or mortgage from companies that do the right thing, check out our Good Eggs.

These are companies that have passed strict (independent) criteria to prove they make a positive impact – to the planet, society, and you. 

Why trust Good With Money?

Good With Money is an independent UK-based platform specialising in ethical and sustainable finance. We review financial products based on environmental and social impact as well as financial value.

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

Looking for ethical home insurance is about more than protecting your property. For many people, it is also about making sure their money supports companies that align with their values.

Some insurers are taking steps to reduce fossil fuel exposure, support environmental projects or donate profits to charities and community causes. Others are designing policies specifically for eco homes, renewable energy systems and sustainable living.

If you’ve invested in solar panels, insulation, a heat pump or other energy-saving upgrades, choosing a more responsible insurer can help ensure your cover reflects the way you live.

At a glance: best ethical home insurers in the UK

What makes a home insurer ethical?

There is no official definition of an “ethical insurer”, so it helps to look beyond marketing claims.

Things worth checking include:

• Whether the insurer invests in fossil fuels or other harmful industries
• Its environmental and climate commitments
• How it treats customers and handles claims
• Whether profits support charities or social causes
• Whether it offers cover designed for sustainable or eco-friendly homes
• Transparency around tax practices and corporate structure

Some insurers also offer additional benefits for greener homes, such as cover for solar panels, renewable heating systems or energy-efficient buildings.

Naturesave

Naturesave is one of the best-known ethical insurance providers in the UK and has built its reputation around sustainability.

The company supports environmental and conservation projects through its charity, with 10 per cent of customer premiums helping to fund initiatives focused on nature recovery and climate action.

Naturesave specialises in cover for:

• Eco homes
• Self-build properties
• Timber-framed homes
• Straw bale houses
• Homes with renewable energy systems

Unlike many mainstream insurers, renewable technologies such as solar PV panels and biomass boilers are included as standard.

The company also says it actively pressures insurance partners to move away from underwriting fossil fuel projects, although it acknowledges that its providers still have varying levels of fossil fuel exposure.

Other features include:

• Discounts for energy-efficient homes
• In-house claims handling
• Tree planting for every new policy
• Carbon neutral business operations

Naturesave is now owned by the Benefact Group, whose profits support charitable causes.

Environmental Transport Association (ETA)

Environmental Transport Association, better known as ETA, is an environmentally-focused insurer and campaigning organisation.

While best known for cycling and transport insurance, it also offers home insurance through a partnership arrangement.

ETA has consistently scored highly in ethical rankings from the Good Shopping Guide and has supported campaigns promoting greener transport and cleaner air.

Its environmental initiatives have included Green Transport Week, Car Free Day and Twenty’s Plenty road safety campaigns

Customers can also choose to offset the carbon impact of their policy for an additional monthly fee.

Ecclesiastical Insurance

Ecclesiastical Insurance focuses on insurance for churches, charities and community organisations.

It forms part of the Benefact Group, which says all available profits are given to charities and good causes. The group says it has donated more than £200 million over the past decade.

Ecclesiastical is particularly well known for specialist cover rather than mainstream home insurance, although it has received strong customer ratings and industry recognition, including a Which? Best Buy award for buildings and contents insurance.

The insurer also runs charitable initiatives such as the Movement for Good Awards, which provides funding for charities across the UK.

Arma Karma

Arma Karma takes a slightly different approach to home insurance.

Rather than traditional contents insurance, it allows customers to insure specific possessions through a monthly subscription model. Items are covered both at home and while travelling.

The company positions itself as an ethical alternative by:

• Donating 25 per cent of its share of revenue to charity
• Planting a tree for every new customer
• Supporting carbon reduction initiatives

Arma Karma has also received strong ethical ratings from the Good Shopping Guide.

Can you insure an eco home?

Yes – but not all insurers are equally equipped to deal with eco properties.

Some mainstream insurers may struggle with non-standard construction methods or renewable technologies. That can include:

• Timber-framed homes
• Straw bale construction
• Heat pumps
• Solar panels
• Biomass boilers
• Self-build eco homes

Specialist insurers like Naturesave are often better suited to these types of properties.

Is ethical home insurance more expensive?

Not necessarily.

In some cases, insurers may even offer discounts for energy-efficient homes or sustainable building features.

However, premiums can vary depending on:

• The type of property
• Construction materials
• Renewable energy systems installed
• Rebuild costs
• Claims history

As with any insurance product, it is worth comparing cover levels carefully rather than focusing on price alone.

If you’d like to find out more about the above providers, a Which? membership gives you access to in-depth, expert reviews, ‘Best Buys’ and ‘Don’t Buys. 

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

Quick answer: best ethical pension funds in the UK (2026)

• NEST Ethical Fund – one of the strongest all-round ethical workplace pension options, with low fees and robust exclusions.
• PensionBee Climate Plan – a simple, app-based pension focused on climate-aware investing and fossil fuel exclusions.
• Aviva self-select pension – offers access to a wide range of highly rated sustainable and ethical funds.
• Penfold Sustainable Plan – a beginner-friendly digital pension with ESG-focused investing.
• Zurich Sustainable Equity options – suitable for savers looking for funds with detailed sustainability reporting.

What makes a pension ethical?

Not all “ethical” pensions work in the same way. Some simply avoid certain industries, while others actively invest in businesses trying to create positive social or environmental change.

Things to look for include:

• Clear exclusions on fossil fuels, arms, tobacco or companies linked to human rights abuses
• Strong policies around climate change, tax transparency, executive pay and corporate behaviour
• Investment in positive-impact sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, education or sustainable agriculture
• Transparency about where your pension money is invested
• Evidence of shareholder engagement and voting on environmental or social issues

Why your pension matters more than you might think

Your pension is likely to become one of the biggest investments you ever have. But many people have little idea where their money is invested.

Traditional pension funds can include exposure to oil and gas companies, mining firms, deforestation-linked businesses and other high-carbon industries. Ethical pension funds aim to reduce that exposure.

According to former campaign group Make My Money Matter, moving your pension to a greener option can reduce your carbon footprint far more than many everyday lifestyle changes combined.

For many people, switching to a more ethical pension is one of the biggest ways they can align their money with their values.

Best ethical pension funds in the UK (updated 2026) – at a glance

Here is our pick of the best ethical pension options in the UK for 2026

1. PensionBee Climate Plan

The PensionBee Climate Plan replaced the provider’s earlier Fossil Fuel-Free plan and takes a more proactive approach to climate-focused investing.

The plan excludes many fossil fuel producers and companies heavily linked to coal, oil and gas, while aiming to invest more heavily in businesses supporting the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

One of the biggest attractions is simplicity. PensionBee combines easy-to-use digital tools with a clearer ethical approach than many mainstream pension providers.

Fees: 0.75% a year, halved on pension balances above £100,000.

Best for:

People looking for a straightforward ethical pension they can manage through an app.

2. NEST ethical fund

NEST is best known as the workplace pension scheme used by millions of UK employees through auto-enrolment. But it is also available to self-employed workers and individuals.

Its ethical fund applies additional screening on top of NEST’s wider responsible investment policies. This includes exclusions linked to controversial weapons, tobacco, some fossil fuel activities and severe human rights abuses.

NEST has also made wider commitments around decarbonisation, deforestation and food sustainability. It regularly publishes detailed information about its investment approach, which helps it stand out in a market where transparency can still be limited.

Fees: 0.3% annual management charge plus a 1.8% charge on contributions.

Best for:

Low-cost ethical pension saving, particularly for workplace pensions.

See our full review of the NEST ethical fund

3. Penfold Sustainable Plan

Penfold offers a digital-first pension aimed at making retirement saving easier to understand.

Its Sustainable Plan uses ESG screening and aims to lower carbon exposure compared with traditional pension investments. However, the underlying fund does not apply the same level of strict exclusions as some specialist ethical funds.

That does not necessarily make it a bad option — but it does highlight why it is important to look beyond marketing terms such as “sustainable” or “responsible”.

Fees: 0.75% a year on balances below £100,000, falling to 0.4% above that level.

Best for:

Newer investors looking for a simple, beginner-friendly pension platform.

UK pension firms’ climate rankings

4. Aviva self-select pension

Aviva does not offer one single branded ethical pension fund. Instead, its self-select pension gives investors access to a broad range of sustainable and responsible investment funds.

These include options from fund managers such as Liontrust and Baillie Gifford, alongside funds with environmental and social screening built in.

Aviva also performs relatively well in several independent ethical finance rankings, particularly around climate disclosure and stewardship.

Fees: Typically from 0.35% a year, plus underlying fund charges.

Best for:

People who want more flexibility and fund choice within an ethical pension.

Best UK ethical financial advisers

5. Zurich Henderson Global Sustainable Equity Pension

Zurich offers access to sustainable investment funds including the Henderson Global Sustainable Equity strategy.

These funds focus on companies linked to long-term sustainability themes and tend to publish relatively detailed reporting on holdings and impact.

Costs and investment choices vary depending on the pension structure and adviser arrangement.

Best for:

People looking for more detailed sustainability reporting and thematic investing.

The Good Guide to Pensions

How to spot greenwashing in pension funds

One of the biggest challenges with ethical investing is that terms such as “green”, “sustainable” and “responsible” are not always used consistently.

A pension fund may market itself as sustainable while still investing in fossil fuel companies or other controversial sectors.

Questions worth asking

• Does the fund clearly explain what it excludes?
• Can you easily see the fund’s holdings?
• Does it actively invest in positive-impact sectors?
• Is sustainability applied across the whole portfolio?
• Does the provider publish voting and engagement reports?

Potential greenwashing red flags

• Vague claims without clear evidence
• Limited transparency around holdings
• Sustainability policies that only apply to a small portion of investments
• Heavy exposure to oil, gas or mining companies despite green branding

A good rule of thumb: if it is difficult to work out what your pension is invested in, it is worth digging deeper.

Are ethical pension funds safe?

Ethical pension funds are regulated in the same way as other UK pension investments.

That means:

• Pension providers must be authorised and regulated
• Many pensions benefit from Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection, depending on the provider and pension type
• The value of investments can still rise and fall

Ethical pensions are not automatically riskier than traditional pensions. The biggest factors are still your investment mix, time horizon and attitude to risk.

Ethical pensions and financial performance

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that companies with stronger environmental and governance practices can be better positioned for long-term risks such as climate regulation, supply chain disruption and changing consumer behaviour.

That does not guarantee better returns. But ethical investing is increasingly moving from a niche concern to part of mainstream risk management.

For many savers, the goal is not just avoiding harm, but investing in businesses better placed for the future economy.

Looking for ethical pension advice?

If you want personalised advice, it can help to speak to a financial adviser with experience in ethical and sustainable investing.

Some well-known ethical-focused advisers include:

• EQ Investors
• Path Financial
• Switchfoot Wealth

Risk warning

With pensions, as with all investments, your capital is at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you put in

How well do you really know your bank?

Most of us think carefully about where we spend our money. But fewer of us think about what happens to the money sitting in our bank account.

Your current account or savings balance is not simply sitting in a vault. Banks use customer deposits and wider funding to make loans, underwrite bonds and support businesses across the economy. That can include renewable energy, social housing and small businesses – but it can also include fossil fuels, deforestation, weapons, high executive pay and poor tax transparency.

This matters because banking is one of the biggest hidden climate and ethics issues in personal finance. The world’s 65 biggest banks have provided $7.9 trillion (£5.79 trillion) to fossil fuel companies since the Paris Agreement, according to the 2025 Banking on Climate Chaos report. In 2024 alone, they provided $869 billion (£637 billion) – a rise of $162.5 billion (£119.1 billion) on the previous year.

The problem is not just what banks finance. It is also the gap between glossy green marketing and what is happening behind the scenes. A European Central Bank blog found that banks talking more about their environmental policies and goals tended to lend more to “brown” industries.

Here, we look at five of the least ethical banks in the UK, based on fossil fuel financing, climate policies, transparency and wider ethical concerns.

At a glance: the UK banks most often criticised on ethics

1. Barclays

Barclays remains the UK bank most heavily criticised for fossil fuel finance.

According to Banking on Climate Chaos 2025, Barclays provided $35.4 billion (£27 billion) to fossil fuel companies in 2024, up 55 per cent on the previous year. That made it Europe’s largest fossil fuel financier and the seventh-largest globally. Bank.Green says $12.9 billion (£9.5 billion) of this went to fossil fuel expansion.

Barclays has announced restrictions on direct project finance for new oil and gas fields. But campaigners argue this does not go far enough because most fossil fuel finance is not provided as direct project finance. BankTrack notes that general corporate finance made up 93.6 per cent of fossil fuel finance between 2021 and 2024.

The bank has also faced criticism over greenwashing. Reclaim Finance said Barclays’ climate strategy failed to align with climate science because it did not systemically exclude companies with oil and gas expansion plans.

Best ethical banks in the UK: top picks 2026

2. HSBC (including First Direct)

HSBC has made high-profile climate commitments, but it continues to be one of the UK banks most criticised by campaigners.

Banking on Climate Chaos 2025 found HSBC provided $16.2 billion (£11.9 billion) in fossil fuel finance in 2024. Oil Change International said HSBC was among the European banks contributing between $14 billion (£10.3 billion)and $17.3 billion (£12.7 billion) to fossil fuels that year.

HSBC has also weakened some of its climate ambition. Reuters reported in 2025 that HSBC had dropped its 2030 net-zero target for its own operations, while maintaining a wider 2050 net-zero goal.

The bank has previously been censured by the Advertising Standards Authority over climate adverts. The ASA said future HSBC ads should disclose the bank’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Best ethical current accounts UK 2026

3. Santander

Santander is another major European bank facing growing scrutiny over fossil fuel finance.

Banking on Climate Chaos 2025 put Santander among Europe’s biggest fossil fuel financiers. Santander provided $17.3 billion (£12.7 billion) to fossil fuels in 2024, according to ShareAction, up from $13.9 billion (£10.2 billion) in 2023 and $7.5 billion (£5.5 billion) in 2022.

Bank.Green says Santander weakened one of its remaining oil exclusions in 2025. BankTrack also said the bank was “backtracking” on fossil fuel commitments and warned that client-level exclusions matter because most fossil fuel finance is general corporate finance rather than project finance.

For customers looking for an ethical bank, this matters because climate policy is not only about whether a bank avoids direct finance for a single oilfield or coal mine. It is also about whether it continues to support companies expanding fossil fuel production.

4. Lloyds Bank (including Halifax, Bank of Scotland, and Scottish Widows)

Lloyds provides much less fossil fuel finance than Barclays, HSBC or Santander, but it is still criticised for not going far enough.

Banking on Climate Chaos 2025 found Lloyds provided $1.6 billion (£1.2 billion) in fossil fuel finance in 2024. Bank.Green says Lloyds “has room for improvement” because it continues to finance fossil fuel companies and has inadequate policies to stop financing fossil fuel expanders.

Lloyds has also faced a greenwashing ruling. In December 2024, the Advertising Standards Authority banned a Lloyds advert for making misleading environmental claims, after finding it did not make clear enough that the bank continued to finance emissions-intensive activity.

InfluenceMap’s analysis of the big four UK banks found Lloyds financed fossil fuel companies over green companies at a ratio of 3.1 to 1 between 2020 and 2024.

How to divest your money from fossil fuels

5. NatWest (including Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank, and Coutts)

NatWest is not the biggest fossil fuel financier on this list, but it still raises concerns.

Banking on Climate Chaos 2025 found NatWest provided $2.7 billion (£2 billion) in fossil fuel finance in 2024.

NatWest has also recently softened its fossil fuel lending rules. Reuters reported in February 2026 that the bank removed restrictions on some reserve-based lending for oil and gas exploration, including for new customers and companies without climate-aligned transition plans. ShareAction criticised the move as a step backwards.

To its credit, NatWest has set a £200 billion climate and transition finance target and says it wants to support customers through the transition. But for ethical banking customers, the concern is whether transition finance is matched by firm limits on continued fossil fuel expansion.

Why fossil fuel policies can be misleading

Many big banks now say they will not directly finance new oil and gas projects. That sounds significant – and in some cases it is progress.

But campaigners argue it leaves a major loophole. Most fossil fuel finance is not direct project finance. It is general finance to the companies developing new oil, gas and coal projects. BankTrack says project finance made up just 6.4 per cent of fossil fuel finance between 2021 and 2024, while general corporate finance made up 93.6 per cent.

That is why ethical banking campaigners increasingly focus on whether banks finance companies expanding fossil fuels, not only whether they finance specific projects.

Where to move your money for good

Switching bank is one of the simplest ways to bring your money more closely in line with your values.

A typical monthly salary removed from one of the Big Five and instead banked with a more environmentally-friendly provider ultimately means reducing the flow of finance to destructive industries such as fossil fuels and deforestation.

Ethical banks and building societies avoid investing in environmentally harmful or otherwise unethical industries, treat their staff and customers fairly, and pay their share of tax. The gold standard in ethical banking is Triodos Bank,  which goes further than simply avoiding the bad stuff – it only invests your money to make a positive impact on the planet and society.

For ethical current accounts, we also like Nationwide Building Society and The Co-operative Bank as well as digital challengers such as Starling Bank. 

For ethical savings accounts, we like the above as well as Charity Bank, Coventry Building Society, Ecology Building Society, Gatehouse Bank and Tandem Bank.

This article is part of our Good Guide to Investing for Impact with IFISAs.

For some investors, the appeal of crowdfunding goes far beyond financial returns. It’s about knowing where your money is going – and seeing the difference it can make.

One such Triodos Crowdfunding investor, Steve, says: “I’m especially interested in the investments I make with my Innovative Finance ISA, and closely track their impact and performance. I find it energising to invest in small companies, and incredibly rewarding to see how your money is helping to make a positive difference in local communities.

“It feels exciting to have a hands-on approach, and to stay in close contact with the organisations you are supporting. As well as their financial performance, I always look at the stories of the impact the projects I fund are having on real people.”

Over the past decade, crowdfunding has opened up new ways for individuals to support organisations working to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Rather than investing in distant markets, investors can choose specific projects they want to support.

At Triodos, this approach has enabled us to mobilise significant support for organisations creating positive change for people and the planet.

Since launching Triodos Crowdfunding in 2018, more than £212 million has been raised for 57 organisations across 94 different transactions and projects.

Behind those numbers are real-economy initiatives – from renewable energy to specialist education – funded directly by individuals who want their money to contribute to positive change.

One example that recently raised funds is Birtenshaw, a specialist education charity supporting children and young people with physical disabilities, complex health needs and learning disabilities.

Founded in 1956 by a group of parents of children with cerebral palsy, the organisation now operates schools, a specialist college, residential homes and adult services across the north west of England.

Birtenshaw raised funds to redevelop its specialist college in Bolton. The current building was originally designed as a residential care home for older people and no longer meets the needs of modern specialist education.

The redevelopment will create a purpose-built facility including therapy spaces, accessible learning areas, a training kitchen and a community café. Capacity will increase from 40 to 80 learners, helping meet growing demand for specialist Education.

For investors, projects like this provide a clear connection between their savings and real-world outcomes.

Another recently closed investment option is the Thrive Renewables bond offer. Its portfolio includes 35 wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and battery storage projects.

Through its latest bond offer, Thrive raised funds to help develop new wind farms in Scotland and Wales, as well as support community-led renewable energy Projects.

These investments demonstrate how individuals can play a direct role in financing the transition to a low-carbon economy. For many investors, the distinctive feature of crowdfunding – and the IFISA – is the sense of connection it creates.

Rather than distant financial instruments, these IFISAs can offer not only a financial return, but a closer connection to the real-world outcomes your money is helping deliver.

For many investors like Steve, the combination of financial return and measurable impact makes crowdfunding through an IFISA an appealing complement to more traditional investments. The tax-free wrapper is an added benefit.

By connecting individuals directly with organisations creating positive change, crowdfunding offers a way to align personal finances with the kind of future many people want to see.

And for investors like Steve, that connection is what makes the experience so rewarding.

Look out for newly opening offers on the Triodos website here.

These are high-risk, long-term investments. You should carefully consider your financial situation, ensure you are comfortable with the risks and read the full offer documents before investing. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Capital is at risk and returns are not guaranteed.

Responsible investment has had a difficult few years.

Higher interest rates, geopolitical instability and a backlash against ESG investing in parts of the US have prompted some investors to question whether sustainability-focused investing is losing momentum. A number of responsible funds have underperformed broader markets in recent years, while concerns around greenwashing have also damaged trust.

But focusing only on short-term market cycles risks missing a much bigger picture.

The underlying forces driving responsible investment have not disappeared. In many cases, they are becoming more deeply embedded in how businesses operate, how regulators intervene and how investors assess long-term risk and opportunity.

Far from fading away, responsible investment is increasingly becoming part of mainstream financial thinking.

A long-term shift, not a short-term trend

Sustainability-focused investing is often framed as an ethical choice. But for many investors and businesses, it is also a practical response to structural economic change.

Climate risk, resource scarcity, biodiversity loss, energy security and changing regulation are no longer theoretical concerns sitting outside the financial system. They are increasingly shaping company performance, supply chains, insurance costs, consumer behaviour and investment returns.

Research published in Nature found that six of the planet’s nine environmental boundaries have now been breached, including climate change, biodiversity loss and freshwater availability. At the same time, governments and regulators around the world are tightening disclosure requirements and increasing scrutiny of corporate sustainability claims.

This creates both risks and opportunities. Businesses that fail to adapt to a lower-carbon, more resource-efficient economy may face rising costs, stranded assets, reputational damage or regulatory pressure. Meanwhile, companies developing solutions in areas such as renewable energy, electrification, energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure are benefiting from significant long-term investment.

This is one reason many responsible investors continue to focus on the long term rather than short-term volatility.

Performance challenges don’t tell the whole story

The recent struggles of some sustainable investment funds are well documented.

Many ESG and responsible funds outperformed during the market turbulence of 2020, partly because of lower exposure to oil and gas and higher exposure to technology and growth stocks. But when inflation surged and interest rates rose sharply in 2022 and 2023, those same growth-focused sectors came under pressure.

At the same time, energy companies benefited from soaring oil and gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while renewed instability in the Middle East has continued to fuel volatility in global energy markets. This has created a more difficult environment for many sustainability-focused strategies.

Critics argue this has exposed weaknesses in ESG investing, questioning whether some sustainable funds are overly concentrated, inconsistently defined or too reliant on marketing language rather than measurable outcomes.

Those criticisms are not without merit. The broad umbrella of “ESG” has often grouped together very different approaches, ranging from simple exclusions to genuinely impact-led investment strategies. In some cases, products marketed as sustainable have failed to meet investor expectations, contributing to concerns around greenwashing.

But short-term underperformance or poor implementation does not necessarily invalidate the broader investment case.

Many responsible investors are not simply trying to avoid certain industries. They are attempting to identify businesses that are better positioned for long-term economic, environmental and regulatory change.

Investor demand remains strong

Despite political backlash in some markets, investor interest in sustainability-focused investing remains significant.

Morgan Stanley’s most recent Sustainable Signals report found that 77 per cent of global individual investors are interested in investments that seek positive social or environmental impact alongside financial returns. More than half said their interest had increased over the previous two years.

This shift is also being reflected in corporate behaviour.

A growing number of companies now view sustainability not simply as a reputational exercise, but as part of long-term business resilience and competitiveness. Issues such as energy efficiency, supply chain security, climate adaptation and workforce expectations are increasingly becoming commercial considerations rather than optional extras.

Importantly, regulation is also beginning to evolve. In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) aim to tackle greenwashing and improve transparency around investment labels and sustainability claims. While full implementation will take time, the direction of travel is clear: greater scrutiny, clearer standards and increasing pressure for evidence-based claims.

That matters because investors are becoming more discerning. Many no longer accept vague promises that a fund is “green” or “ethical”. They want transparency around holdings, stewardship, impact and real-world outcomes.

Responsible investing is evolving

Responsible investment today looks very different from a decade ago. Investors are increasingly asking tougher questions about impact, transition risk, corporate behaviour and accountability. Meanwhile, investment providers are under growing pressure to demonstrate substance rather than simply sustainability branding.

The sector is still evolving and there will undoubtedly be setbacks, contradictions and periods of market underperformance.

But the core drivers behind responsible investment – regulation, climate risk, resource pressures, consumer expectations and the search for long-term resilience – are unlikely to disappear.

For investors, the challenge is no longer simply whether sustainability matters. It is understanding which businesses and investment strategies are genuinely prepared for the economic realities ahead.

Important information: This article is journalistic and should not be viewed as financial advice. Remember that when you invest, your capital is at risk and the value of investments can go down as well as up.

Choosing an ethical business savings account is one of the simplest ways to align your company’s money with its values.

Instead of leaving cash with banks that fund fossil fuels, arms or other harmful industries, your business savings can support organisations working towards positive environmental or social impact, while still earning interest.

For many companies, sustainability is no longer just about suppliers or operations. Increasingly, businesses also want to know what their bank does with their money.

Quick comparison: best ethical business savings accounts 2026

What is an ethical business savings account?

An ethical business savings account is a savings account offered by a bank or building society that aims to avoid funding harmful industries and, in many cases, actively supports positive environmental or social outcomes.

Depending on the provider, this can include:

• Avoiding fossil fuel extraction, arms manufacturing or tobacco
• Supporting renewable energy and social housing
• Lending to charities, community projects or sustainable businesses
• Greater transparency about where customer deposits are used
• Fairer business practices and tax policies

Some ethical banks focus heavily on sustainability and impact. Others apply ethical exclusions while still offering more mainstream banking services.

Why businesses are switching to ethical savings accounts

The UK’s largest banks – including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Santander and NatWest – continue to provide significant financing to fossil fuel companies and other controversial sectors.

For businesses with sustainability goals, leaving reserves with these banks can create a disconnect between company values and financial practices.

Ethical business savings accounts allow companies to:

• Align cash reserves with ESG or sustainability goals
• Support positive social or environmental impact
• Reduce exposure to harmful sectors
• Demonstrate values to customers, staff and stakeholders
• Earn competitive interest rates without compromising on ethics

Best ethical business savings accounts

Here are our best options for ethical business savings accounts in the UK – offering sustainable banking for companies that want their money to make a positive impact.

Unity Trust Bank

Unity Trust Bank, a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ firm, specialises in social impact banking and is one of the best-known ethical banks for organisations focused on social good. It is also the leading bank for trade unions.

Account options:

• Instant Access Account – 1.95% Gross / 1.96% AER
• Fixed Term Deposits – from 2.25% AER (30 days) up to 4.06% AER (12 months).
• Minimum deposit – £50,000.

What we like:Unity uses customer deposits to support lending that strengthens communities and creates social impact. It is one of the few UK banks fully focused on this area.

Triodos Bank

Triodos, also Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ firm, is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading ethical banks and is known for its high level of transparency.

Account options:

• Business & Charity Deposit Accounts – up to 2.45% gross/AER.
• Fixed Term Deposits – up to 3.60% (12 months) gross/AER.
• Minimum deposit – £50,000.

What we like: Triodos publishes every organisation it lends to, allowing customers to see exactly where their money is going.

Top 10 ethical business current accounts

Shoal

Shoal is a savings app created by B Corp Algbra that combines savings with measurable sustainability impact.

Deposits are held with ClearBank and Standard Chartered, while savings are linked to sustainable finance projects including renewable energy, clean water and healthcare.

Account options:

• Fixed-term Savings Pots – three, six or 12 months
• Rates currently up to 4.35%
• Minimum opening balance: £1

What we like: Shoal provides clear reporting on the positive impact linked to customer savings, including measures such as CO₂ avoided and clean water generated.

Charity Bank

Charity Bank uses customer deposits to support charities and social enterprises across the UK.

Account options:

• Fixed Rate Account – 3.56% AER (1-year, £10,000-£500,000).
• Easy Access Account – 2.94% AER.
• Notice Accounts – 40 to 100 days; rates from 2.89% to 3.07% AER.
• CITR Base Rate Tracker Account – available to organisations liable for UK corporation tax. Tracking Rate 3.25% below BoE base rate. 5% Income Tax Relief. T&Cs apply. 

What we like: Savings directly support projects including affordable housing, renewable energy and community organisations.

Reliance Bank

Part of The Salvation Army, Reliance Bank lends primarily to organisations with a positive social impact in the UK.

Account options:

• Fixed Term Business Savings Accounts – six months to two years. Rates up to 3.90%A ER. Interest is calculated daily and paid at maturity.
• Instant Access Business Savings accounts – 1% AER.

What we like: Reliance combines competitive business savings with a long-standing social purpose.

Allica Bank

Allica Bank focuses on established SMEs with between five and 250 employees.

Account options:

• Fixed rate – 3.80 to 4% AER (variable). 1 to 3 years.
• Easy Access – 2.80%
• Minimum deposit – £20,000

What we like: Allica stands out for combining competitive interest rates with clear exclusions on harmful industries, giving SMEs a more values-driven savings option.

The Co-operative Bank

The Co-operative Bank has one of the longest-established ethical policies among UK banks. In 2023, it was bought by Coventry Building Society – the UK’s first B Corp building society.

Account options:

• 95-Day Notice – 1.94% AER (variable).
• 35-Day Notice – 1.56% AER (variable).
• Instant Access – 1.06% gross / AER (variable).

What we like: Its ethical policy excludes organisations linked to environmental damage, human rights abuses and payday lending.

Tide

Tide offers business banking and savings aimed at freelancers, start-ups and SMEs.

Account options:

• Instant Access Savings Account – up to 4.00% AER (includes a six-month “boost”).
• Available even if you don’t hold a Tide current account.

What we like: Customer deposits are ring-fenced with ClearBank rather than invested in harmful industries.

Cumberland Building Society

Cumberland is a regional mutual serving Cumbria, South West Scotland, North Lancashire and West Northumberland.

Account options:

• Business Instant Access – up to 2.20% AER (variable).
• Business eSaver – up to 2.40% AER (variable).
• 30-Day Notice – up to 2.60% AER (variable).
• 1-Year Fixed – 3.65% fixed until October 2026.
• All eligible deposits protected by the FSCS up to £85,000.

What we like: As a building society, Cumberland focuses on supporting local communities and businesses rather than shareholder profits.

Can you switch business savings accounts easily?

Yes. Many business banking providers now offer relatively straightforward switching processes.

If your business has fewer than 50 employees and turnover below £6.5 million, you may also be eligible for the Current Account Switch Service when changing business current accounts.

Savings accounts themselves can usually be opened online, although some ethical providers require higher minimum deposits.

Are ethical business savings accounts protected by the FSCS?

Most UK ethical banks and building societies are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which protects eligible deposits up to £120,000 per institution.

Always check the provider’s protection status before opening an account.

How to choose the best ethical business savings account

The right account depends on what matters most to your business.

You may want to prioritise:

• The highest interest rate
• Transparency around lending
• Support for environmental projects
• Social impact lending
• Easy access to funds
• Notice periods or fixed-term certainty
• Minimum deposit requirements

For some businesses, mainstream functionality will matter most. Others may prefer providers with deeper sustainability commitments.

Options for all businesses

Ethical business savings accounts are no longer niche. Businesses now have a growing choice of providers offering competitive interest rates alongside stronger environmental and social standards.

Whether you want full transparency, community impact or simply to avoid supporting harmful industries, there are now ethical savings options for businesses of all sizes.

Note: Interest rates and product terms can change. Rates shown are correct at the time of writing – always check the provider’s website before opening an account.

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

This article is part of our Good Guide to Investing for Impact with IFISAs.

If you’ve found yourself doom-scrolling the news lately, feeling frustrated, worried and helpless about where things seem to be heading, you’re not alone. And in the middle of all that uncertainty, more people are beginning to ask a simple question: can my money do more to make a difference?

The climate crisis is accelerating. Communities are grappling with rising energy costs and the loss of vital services. At the same time, millions of financially underserved households are being pushed towards high-cost credit when unexpected expenses hit, deepening cycles of stress and hardship. These are challenges unfolding now, in our own communities.

Policy change is essential. But so is investment. Over the past decade, the Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) has quietly created a powerful opportunity for ordinary people to become part of the solution.

With up to £20,000 of annual tax-free ISA allowance available, more people have been choosing investments that directly support organisations tackling climate change, boosting community resilience and championing financial inclusion, while still targeting a financial return.

Momentum is building

Across the UK, ethical IFISA uptake has grown steadily as awareness increases and investors look beyond traditional ISAs and investment funds. Through Ethex, retail investors can choose ethical IFISA-eligible bonds that directly fund mission-led organisations, forming part of the funding mix that helps grassroots initiatives scale and succeed.

We have witnessed this shift first-hand. While uptake in standard IFISA investments is falling*, in 2025 over £1 million was transferred into the Ethex IFISA from other ISA providers, up from just over £680,000 the previous year.

Overall, IFISA investments on the Ethex platform increased by 42 per cent in 2025 and IFISA accounts made up 52 per cent of all investments on Ethex last year. That significant jump suggests that more people are waking up to the idea that their tax-free investments can contribute to real-world impact, not just financial outcomes.

A nicer kind of ISA is gaining ground

Through Ethex and our sister company, Energise Africa, retail investors can choose ethical IFISA-eligible bonds that directly fund mission-led organisations. This model enables everyday investors to form part of the funding mix that helps grassroots initiatives scale and succeed.

One great example in 2025 was the ethical IFISA bond offer from The Big Solar Co-op, a community energy co-op that aimed to raise £800,000 but ultimately raised an extraordinary £1.8 million from 460 investors. The funds are supporting the construction of a ground-mounted, community-owned solar park, expanding clean energy generation owned by the people and helping accelerate the UK’s transition to renewables.

That appetite for community-led climate action shows no sign of slowing. Currently open on Ethex is an ethical IFISA-eligible bond from Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE), one of the UK’s most established community energy organisations. Since 2010, BWCE has installed 37 rooftop solar systems on schools and community buildings, five ground-mounted solar sites and a hydro scheme.Now, BWCE is seeking investment in its ethical IFISA bond offer to finance the Fairy Hill Solar Array in Bath & North East Somerset.

The community-owned and funded project will generate enough clean electricity to power around 800 homes, while accelerating BWCE’s wider pipeline of local climate initiatives focused on carbon reduction, energy resilience and tackling fuel poverty. So, as well as making use of their ISA allowance and targeting a 5.5 return return, investors will be supporting a pioneering local energy supply model that keeps value circulating within the community.

This represents local climate action rooted in place, generating clean energy owned by communities rather than large corporations and delivering both environmental and social returns. Win. Win. Win.

Now, BWCE is seeking investment in its ethical IFISA bond offer to finance the Fairy Hill Solar Array in Bath & North East Somerset. The community-owned and funded project will generate enough clean electricity to power around 800 homes, while accelerating BWCE’s wider pipeline of local climate initiatives focused on carbon reduction, energy resilience and tackling fuel poverty.

So, as well as making use of their ISA allowance and targeting a 5.5 return return, investors will be supporting a pioneering local energy supply model that keeps value circulating within the community

This represents local climate action rooted in place, generating clean energy owned by communities rather than large corporations and delivering both environmental and social returns.

Win. Win. Win.

A shift in investor mindset

We believe that what we are witnessing is a shift in mindset from UK investors.

Increasingly, people are viewing their ISA allowance not simply as a government approved
tax-efficient investment, but as a way to support the values they believe in while still targeting decent returns. The Ethex ethical IFISA provides a bridge between personal finance and collective positive progress.

Of course, investments in an ethical IFISA carry risks. But for a growing number of investors, the ability to see the tangible outcomes of their investment is a big part of the appeal. Whether funding community-owned solar arrays or enabling affordable credit for financially underserved people, ethical IFISA investments are channelling vital funding to grassroots solutions that might otherwise struggle to access growth capital.

At a time when the UK urgently needs practical responses to climate change, energy insecurity and financial exclusion, this flow of capital powered by everyday investors matters.

More people than ever are recognising that their £20,000 annual ISA allowance can be part of building the fairer society and healthier planet we all need. And as awareness grows, the ethical IFISA’s role in connecting savers directly to impact looks set to gather even greater
momentum in the years ahead.

*Source: Commentary for Annual Savings Statistics: September 2025 from HM Revenue
& Customs

The savings landscape is shifting again. Inflation rose to 3.3 per cent in March, driven in part by higher fuel prices and coming in above expectations – a reminder that cost pressures are still firmly in place for households.

Against that backdrop, Cash ISAs remain a simple but powerful tool for savers. They allow you to earn interest tax-free on up to £20,000 each tax year, helping protect your returns while keeping your money accessible and low risk.

But for many people, it’s not just about the rate.

Choosing an ethical Cash ISA means your savings won’t be used to fund industries that harm people or the planet, such as fossil fuels, arms or tobacco. Some providers go further, actively supporting projects and organisations delivering positive environmental and social impact.

Ethical Cash ISAs at a glance (2026)

Why choose an ethical Cash ISA?

A Cash ISA is already one of the safest ways to save. Your money is protected (up to £120,000 per provider) under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and returns are tax-free.

An ethical option should also mean transparency over where your money goes.

That means:

• avoiding harmful industries
• supporting responsible lending
• in some cases, directly funding positive impact

While rates are no longer at the highs seen in 2023 and early 2024, there are still competitive options available. And when markets feel uncertain, the stability of cash savings can play an important role.

If you’re saving for longer than five years, investing may offer higher potential returns, but that comes with risk. Cash still has a place, particularly for short to medium-term goals.

The best ethical Cash ISAs available now

1. Nationwide Building Society

• 3 or 5 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA – 4.5 per cent (Gross/AER/Fixed)

As the UK’s largest mutual, Nationwide is owned by its members and run for their benefit.

It doesn’t position itself as an ethical specialist, but its structure helps. Without shareholder pressure, it can reinvest profits into better products and services  and puts member outcomes at the centre of decision-making.

2. Gatehouse Bank

• 6 Month Fixed Term Woodland Cash ISA, Shariah principles – 4.3 per cent (Gross/AER/Fixed)

Gatehouse Bank operates under Shariah principles, meaning it avoids sectors such as gambling, alcohol, tobacco and arms (but not fossil fuels).

Instead of interest, savers receive an expected profit rate, which is generated through ethical investments such as real estate and sukuk (Islamic bonds). To date, Gatehouse has consistently delivered on these expected returns.

There’s also a tangible environmental benefit as a tree is planted in UK woodland for every Woodland Saver account opened or renewed.

3. Yorkshire Building Society

Fixed Rate Cash eISA 4.31 per cent (Gross/AER/Variable) until 30 June 2027

Yorkshire Building Society is a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking – a global framework for aligning banking with sustainability goals.

It has committed to measuring the environmental and social impact of its activities, setting targets and reporting transparently on progress.

4. Coventry Building Society

• Fixed rate ISA 4.25 per cent (Gross/AER) to 30/09/28

Coventry Building Society stands out as the first building society to achieve B Corp certification. This is a globally recognised standard for companies balancing profit with purpose.

As a mutual, it’s owned by its members rather than shareholders. This means that instead of maximising profits for investors, building societies are structured to prioritise good products, fair rates and customer service – with profits reinvested for members’ benefit.

5. Triodos Bank

• Fixed rate ISA for two years – 3.94 per cent (AER/Fixed)

Ethical Bank Triodos has a Good Egg mark from Good With Money, awarded only to companies that make a positive impact in the world.

It uses savers’ deposits to lend directly to organisations delivering positive environmental, social and cultural impact – from renewable energy to social housing.

Alongside Cash ISAs, it also offers investments, IFISAs and current accounts, making it one of the most established names in ethical personal finance.

6. Ecology Building Society

• Ecology Cash ISA – 2.8 per cent (AER/Variable)

Ecology Building Society uses its savers’ deposits to lend out as eco-friendly mortgages for new-builds and renovation projects with the ultimate aim of helping make Britain’s housing stock more energy efficient.

Ecology also has a Good Egg mark from Good With Money.

Best ethical credit cards in 2026

The short answer is that there are a few credit cards with stronger ethical credentials, but no fully “ethical” credit card in the UK market.

That’s because credit cards are, by design, high-interest debt products – something many purpose-led finance providers choose to avoid altogether.

Still, some providers stand out for fairer policies, transparency and ownership structure. Here are the best options available in 2026.

What makes a credit card “ethical”?

There’s no official definition, but in practice it usually comes down to three things:

• Fair treatment of customers (no exploitative fees or practices)
• Transparency around costs and repayments
• Wider business ethics, including how the provider lends and operates

With that in mind, these are the strongest options currently available.

Nationwide credit card

The Nationwide Building Society is often seen as one of the more responsible mainstream providers.

As a mutual, it’s owned by its members rather than shareholders, which tends to support a more customer-focused approach.

It also stands out for policies introduced in 2016, including:

• No automatic credit limit increases
• No withdrawal of promotional offers after a missed payment

Key features:

• No annual fee
• Commission-free overseas spending
• 0 per cent offers on purchases and balance transfers (time-limited)

Representative APR: 24.9 per cent

Top 7 ethical current accounts

Co-operative members credit card

The The Co-operative Bank has long positioned itself around ethical policies, including commitments on where it lends and invests. This card is available to Co-op members and offers a simple structure.

Key features:

• No annual fee
• Modest cashback (higher in Co-op stores)
• No balance transfer fees

Things to note:

• No introductory 0 per cent offers
• 2.75 per cent fee on overseas spending

Representative APR: 18.2 per cent

Monzo Flex Purchase Credit Card

Why most ethical banks do not offer credit cards

Many of the UK’s most clearly ethical providers – such as Triodos Bank or Ecology Building Society – don’t offer credit cards at all. There are two main reasons:

1. The nature of credit cards
Credit cards are unsecured, revolving debt. They don’t fund specific projects or outcomes, unlike loans for renewable energy, housing or community initiatives.

2. High interest rates
Even responsibly run credit cards typically carry APRs above 20 per cent. For providers focused on financial wellbeing, that can sit uneasily with their mission.

As a result, many ethical providers focus instead on:

• Current accounts
• Savings
• Mortgages and impact lending

There are no perfect ethical credit cards, but there are better options.

Providers like Nationwide Building Society, The Co-operative Bank and Monzo stand out for fairness, transparency or ownership structure.

For fully values-led banking, though, many of the strongest ethical providers still choose not to offer credit cards at all.

Financial jargon has a way of making the basics feel more complicated than they are. But building lasting wealth rarely comes down to clever tricks or bold bets. For most people, it’s about putting the right building blocks in place – and revisiting them from time to time.

Think of this as a financial spring clean: a chance to check what you’re doing, tighten up what you’re not, and make sure your money is working as hard as it can for you.

Here are ten steps worth taking, and a few common pitfalls to avoid.

1) Start an ISA 

ISAs are one of the simplest ways to shelter your money from tax. You can put up to £20,000 into an ISA each tax year – in cash, stocks and shares, or a combination of both.

Cash savings held in an ISA earn interest tax-free. As your savings grow, this matters more, especially if your interest income would otherwise exceed your personal savings allowance. On the investment side, there’s no capital gains tax on profits and no tax on income received.

You don’t need to use the full allowance. But if you’re using none of it, you may be paying more tax than you need to.

2) Contribute to a pension

The State Pension won’t cover most people’s needs in retirement. For 2026/27, the full flat-rate State Pension rises to £241.30 a week, a useful foundation, but rarely enough on its own.

Work out how much income you’ll need in retirement, set a target, and then review your progress each year.

Pensions remain one of the most tax-efficient ways to save. For every £1 you contribute, the government adds 25p. Higher-rate taxpayers can reclaim a further 25p through Self-Assessment. Investments grow free from income tax and capital gains tax.

Most people can contribute up to 100 per cent of their salary, capped at £60,000 a year. Unused allowance from the past three years can be carried forward, but it expires, so don’t leave it too long. If your income is close to £200,000, check whether the tapered annual allowance applies to you

3) Use your allowances

Several allowances reduce the tax you pay. Most people don’t use all of them.

Unless you earn above £125,140, you have a personal allowance of £12,570, the amount you can earn before paying any Income Tax.

You also have a personal savings allowance: £1,000 for basic-rate taxpayers, £500 for higher-rate taxpayers. This covers interest earned outside an ISA. Additional-rate taxpayers have no allowance at all.

The dividend allowance lets you earn up to £500 from dividends before tax applies.

And if you’ve made gains on investments held outside an ISA or pension, your capital gains tax (CGT) allowance, currently £3,000, lets you realise some of those gains tax-free. Assets held jointly with a spouse mean both of you can use your individual allowance, effectively doubling the tax-free amount.

4) Split assets between partners

Married couples and civil partners are taxed separately on jointly held assets. If one of you pays tax at a higher rate, moving savings or income-producing assets into the lower earner’s name can reduce your combined tax bill.

One practical note: the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects up to £120,000 per person, per bank – a joint account covers up to £240,000. 

If your savings exceed £120,000, consider spreading them across more than one institution.

Gifts between partners are exempt from CGT, which gives you flexibility when restructuring ownership of your assets.

5) Watch out for the child benefit tax charge

If you or your partner earns more than £60,000, you may face a tax charge on any child benefit you claim. The charge is 1% of the benefit received for every £200 your income exceeds that threshold. Earn enough above it and the charge wipes out the benefit entirely.

You can reduce your adjusted income, through pension contributions and charitable donations.

Bring your income below £60,000 and you avoid the charge altogether.

6) Think carefully before drawing a pension lump sum

From age 55, rising to 57 in 2028, you can draw money from your pension. It can be tempting to use it for something immediate, like home improvements. But pension withdrawals can trigger significant and unexpected tax bills.

The usual rule: 25% of what you draw is tax-free. The rest is taxable as income at your marginal rate. On a £20,000 withdrawal, £5,000 is tax-free and £15,000 is added to your taxable income for that year.

The first withdrawal often triggers emergency tax. HMRC assumes you’ll take the same amount every month for the rest of the tax year and taxes accordingly. You can usually reclaim any overpayment, although it takes time.

There’s a further consideration. Once you start drawing income from your pension, the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) kicks in. You can only contribute £10,000 to a pension each year, rather than the standard £60,000.

If you plan to make significant pension contributions later, this restriction can catch you off guard.

7) Build a contingency fund

Nobody likes to plan for the worst. But what would happen if you lost your income tomorrow? It’s worth answering before the situation arises.

Aim to hold three to six months of expenditure in accessible cash. That buffer gives you time to make considered decisions rather than forced ones.

Beyond cash reserves, consider what would happen if illness stopped you from working. Most employers pay full salary for a limited period only. After that, you move onto statutory sick pay, then state benefits. The Association of British Insurers estimates that one million people find themselves unable to work due to ill-health every year – most of them unexpectedly.

Three types of cover are worth knowing about. 

• Income protection pays a proportion of your salary until you return to work or reach retirement. 
• Critical illness insurance pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a serious condition such as cancer or multiple sclerosis. 
• Accident, sickness and unemployment insurance, sometimes called payment protection insurance, covers a specific financial commitment, such as a mortgage or loan, for a defined period.

8) Make sure your family is protected

If your income supports your family, think about what they would face if you weren’t here. Some employers offer death-in-service benefit, a lump sum based on your salary, paid on death while in employment. It’s worth knowing whether you have it and whether it’s enough.

If it isn’t, you have options: 

• Mortgage protection pays off your outstanding mortgage on death. Because the payout reduces in line with your mortgage balance, it tends to be cheaper than a standard life policy. 
• Term assurance pays a fixed lump sum on death within a set period, useful for supplementing employer cover or filling gaps. 
• Family income benefit pays a regular income over a specified term rather than a lump sum, which can be a more practical way to replace

9) Write a will

Die without a valid will and your estate is governed by the laws of intestacy. If you have children, your partner may not inherit everything, and the process of dividing assets can take time.

The stakes are higher still if you cohabit but aren’t married or in a civil partnership. Without a will, a long-term partner may receive nothing at all.

Remember to review your will after any major life event – the birth of a child, a divorce, or the end of a civil partnership.

10) Set up a lasting power of attorney

We’re living longer. But longer life doesn’t always mean better health, and accidents can happen at any age.

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) lets you choose, in advance, who makes decisions about your finances and wellbeing if you lose the capacity to do so yourself. Without one, that decision passes to the courts – a slower, more expensive process that may not reflect your wishes.

Choose your attorney carefully. It should be someone you trust without reservation: a family member, a close friend, or a professional adviser. You can appoint more than one.

Setting up an LPA is straightforward. Waiting until you need one may be too late.

The current tensions in the Middle East are an uncomfortable reminder that much of the world still relies on energy that can be disrupted in an instant.

In Prisoners of Geography, Tim Marshall calls the Strait of Hormuz one of the world’s most strategically sensitive waterways, giving Iran disproportionate geopolitical leverage. We are seeing that leverage play out today as oil, gas and fertiliser shipments are disrupted in the Persian Gulf, with consequences for economies around the world.

There is little that can be done about geography, but there is much that can be done to lessen its strategic importance. In the UK, two broad approaches are often discussed: increasing domestic gas production, or investing more in renewables and nuclear.

Access to energy is fundamental to a successful modern society. It needs to be affordable, secure and clean – often referred to as the “energy trilemma”.

Renewables clearly help on the environmental side, but questions are sometimes raised about whether they can also deliver on cost and reliability. Research from Ember suggests they can. Comparing the current gas price spike with the one in 2021, wind and solar installed in the last five years are estimated to have saved around £7 million a day, driven by a 39 per cent reduction in gas-fired electricity generation. This is particularly relevant given gas prices have risen by more than 40 per cent since the latest conflict began.

Across Europe, a similar pattern can be seen. Analysis from Jefferies shows that countries with higher shares of renewables tend to have electricity prices that are less closely tied to gas prices. In Germany, gas sets the price around 40 per cent of the time, and in Spain around 15 per cent.

This suggests that increasing the share of renewables can help reduce exposure to volatile global gas markets, supporting both affordability and energy security.

Natural gas, whether produced domestically or imported, remains part of a global market and is therefore still influenced by international events.

For this reason, some investors continue to favour companies supporting the transition to a more electrified, lower-carbon energy system. This includes businesses involved in grid infrastructure and energy efficiency, such as National Grid, Siemens and Exelon.

A shifting energy picture

There are no simple fixes when it comes to energy. But what is becoming clearer is that how energy is generated – and where it comes from – plays a big role in how exposed households are to global events.

As the system evolves, reducing reliance on globally traded fossil fuels is likely to be a key part of making energy more stable and affordable.

A rarely used UK tax relief is back in the spotlight, offering investors a way to combine financial returns with real-world impact.

The scheme – known as Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR) – is being used in a new community share offer from ICOF Community Capital, a lender that supports co-operatives and community businesses across the UK.

What is CITR – and why does it matter?

CITR was introduced by the UK government to encourage investment into underserved communities, but it has remained largely under the radar.

It allows eligible investors to claim 25% income tax relief on what they invest, spread over five years.

That means:

• A £10,000 investment could generate £2,500 in tax relief
• Paid as £500 per year over five years
• On top of any returns from the investment itself

Despite this, CITR has been used far less than other tax wrappers like ISAs or pensions – making opportunities like this relatively rare.

How the ICOF Community Capital offer works

The new share offer from ICOF Community Capital pays a headline rate of three per cent, but with a twist: returns are paid in additional shares rather than cash.

On its own, that might not turn heads. But when combined with CITR, the overall return profile looks more compelling.

For eligible taxpayers, the combination of interest and tax relief is roughly equivalent to an eight per cent annual return. ICOF uses investor funds to provide loans to worker-owned co-operatives, community-owned businesses, and renewable energy projects.

These are areas that often struggle to access traditional finance, meaning your money is directly supporting local economies and community ownership.

A different kind of tax-efficient investing

At a time when many investors are looking beyond traditional stocks and shares, CITR offers something different.

And it’s not just about tax efficiency, it’s about where your money goes.

Community share offers like this can support businesses rooted in local communities, back more democratic ownership models and help fund sectors like clean energy and social enterprise

There may also be inheritance tax advantages, depending on individual circumstances – although, as always, tax treatment depends on your situation and could change.

What to watch out for

As with any investment, this isn’t risk-free. Returns are not guaranteed, shares are typically illiquid (harder to sell) and tax relief depends on eligibility and personal circumstances.

It’s important to see this as a long-term, higher-risk investment, and to seek independent advice if you’re unsure.

Could this be a turning point for CITR?

If successful, this offer could help revive interest in CITR more broadly.

For years, the scheme has been overlooked – but as more investors look to align their money with their values, it could start to play a bigger role.

Investors in SDCL Efficiency Income Trust (SEIT) are facing potential losses of up to 50 per cent after the £1.1 billion fund announced plans to wind down.

The FTSE 250-listed trust, which invested in energy efficiency projects such as solar panels on supermarket roofs and EV charging infrastructure, has struggled in a higher interest rate environment. Its shares are now trading at a steep discount to the value of its underlying assets.

The decision follows pressure from activist investor Saba Capital and growing shareholder demand for liquidity.

For many retail investors, it’s a reminder that even investments positioned as “green” or “impactful” can carry significant risk – particularly when wrapped in complex listed structures like investment trusts.

So if you’re looking for ways to invest in sustainability without taking on the same risks, where else could you look?

1. Diversified sustainable funds

Rather than backing a single theme like energy efficiency, diversified sustainable funds spread risk across sectors and regions.

Providers such as Liontrust and Impax Asset Management offer funds focused on companies contributing to environmental and social outcomes, but within a broader, liquid portfolio.

Why it matters:
You’re less exposed to one strategy, one manager, or one part of the market.

2. Listed renewable infrastructure trusts (with caution)

Other listed trusts investing in renewable energy or infrastructure remain popular with income-focused investors.

Examples include Greencoat UK Wind and Foresight Solar Fund.

However, SEIT’s struggles highlight a wider issue, which is that many trusts in this space are now trading at discounts, as higher interest rates have reduced the appeal of their income streams.

Why it matters:
These can still play a role, but they’re not low-risk, and discounts can persist.

3. IFISAs and direct impact investing

Platforms like Ethex and Energise Africa allow investors to fund specific projects – from renewable energy to social housing – often from as little as £50.

These investments can be held in an IFISA, offering tax efficiency alongside impact.

Why it matters:
You get a clearer link between your money and real-world outcomes – but with higher risk and less liquidity.

Read our Good Guide to Investing for Impact with an IFISA for more.

4. Ethical ready-made portfolios and advisers

For those who don’t want to pick investments themselves, ethical portfolios and advisers can help build a diversified approach aligned with your values.

Firms such as EQ Investors and Path Financial focus on combining financial goals with environmental and social considerations.

Why it matters:
You get diversification and professional oversight, rather than relying on a single product.

Risk warning: When you invest, your capital is at risk.

Yes – the chocolate is finished and the egg hunt packed away for another year.

Yes – it’s the start of a new tax year.

And yes – Smug Money is back.

Our podcast exploring all things good money returns for Season 2, kicking off with an interview with lawyer-turned-sub-Saharan decarbonisation leader and CEO of Energise Africa, Ray Coyle.

Ray talks us through the real-world impact of expanding access to clean energy across Africa – from children able to do their homework after dark, to boda-boda riders increasing their incomes by up to 60 per cent by switching to electric bikes, to entire communities seeing improvements in health and quality of life as they move away from kerosene.

Energise Africa connects everyday UK investors with clean energy businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. Through the platform, you can fund projects ranging from solar home systems and mini-grids to clean cooking and low-carbon transport.

Many projects offer fixed long-term returns of around six to eight per cent, with minimum investments from £50, and can be held within an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) – making them tax-efficient as well as impactful.

This episode brings to life the idea behind Smug Money: feeling good about your money – not just how much you have, but what it does in the world.

Because investments such as these are about more than a financial return. They create tangible, real-world change – and that can fundamentally shift your relationship with money.

In a world where many people feel disconnected from finance, that matters.

It also highlights something important: impact investing isn’t just about aligning with your values – it’s about understanding the real-world consequences of your financial choices.

Used thoughtfully, IFISAs like those available through Energise Africa can sit alongside more traditional options such as cash ISAs, stocks and shares ISAs, or pensions – adding something those investments often can’t offer: a direct line between your money and its impact.

Listen to the episode

If you’ve ever wondered whether your money could do more, or wanted to understand what impact investing looks like beyond the headlines, this episode is a great place to start.

 Listen to Smug Money featuring Ray Coyle.

And if you’d like to go deeper, look out for our Good Guide to Investing with Impact through IFISAs, sponsored by Ethex and Triodos Crowdfunding.

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high – risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more

If you want your ISA to do more than just grow your money, you’re not alone.

An ethical ISA is about where your money goes – not just the returns you get. That means looking beyond tax-free wrappers and asking what your savings and investments are actually funding.

Here’s how to build a more ethical ISA, step by step.

1. Start with the everyday – your bank

If you’ve ever wondered what your ISA is actually doing, you’re not alone

For many people, investing feels distant – numbers on a screen rather than something real.

That’s especially true for the millions holding their ISA in cash. It’s safe, but it doesn’t exactly feel meaningful.

But what if your ISA could do more than just sit there?

What if it could fund something tangible – from renewable energy and social housing to healthcare and community projects – while still working towards a financial return?

That’s the idea behind Innovative Finance ISAs (IFISAs).

They offer a more direct connection between your money and the real world – allowing you to lend to projects and organisations, rather than investing in large, often opaque companies through stock markets.

It’s a different way of thinking about investing. And for people who care about impact as well as returns, it can be a powerful one.

So how do IFISAs actually work?

Our new guide, The Good Guide to Investing for Impact with IFISAs, created with Ethex and Triodos Crowdfunding, explains:

• What IFISAs are – and how they differ from other ISAs
• What your money can actually fund
• The risks and potential returns
• How to decide if they’re right for you

A quick note on risk

IFISAs can offer tax-free returns and real-world impact – but they’re not like cash savings.

Your capital is at risk, returns aren’t guaranteed, and your money may be tied up for several years. They’re best seen as part of a broader, diversified approach.

Ready to take a closer look?

If you like the idea of your money doing something real, rather than sitting in the background, this guide is a good place to start.

Read The Good Guide to Investing for Impact with IFISAs here →

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. These are high-risk investments and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more on our sponsors’ websites:

• Ethex
• Triodos Crowdfunding

In uncertain times, where you put your money matters.

Your current account, pension, savings and investments all shape the world around you. They can help fund fossil fuels and high-carbon industries – or back renewable energy, social housing and community businesses.

This Easter, it’s worth asking the question: Are your finances full of Good Eggs?

Making your money greener doesn’t mean overhauling your life. It means knowing where it sits, and choosing providers that use it well.

Here’s where to look.

🥚 The Everyday Egg – your current account

Your current account might feel harmless. It’s just where your salary lands and your bills go out, right?

But banks use customer deposits to lend and invest. That means your everyday banking can indirectly support industries you might not agree with – or it can actively back positive change.

Sustainable bank Triodos only lends to organisations delivering environmental and social benefit, from renewable energy to sustainable farming and social housing.

For charities, social enterprises and purpose-driven businesses, Unity Trust Bank focuses its lending on organisations that create measurable social impact across the UK.

Switching current accounts is easier than many people think thanks to the Current Account Switch Service – and it can be one of the quickest ways to make your money a Good Egg.

🥚 The Rainy-Day Egg – your savings

Savings aren’t just sitting in a vault. They’re put to work.

With providers like Ecology Building Society, customer deposits are used to fund eco-friendly homes, sustainable building projects and energy-efficient renovations. That means your emergency fund could be helping to cut carbon emissions at the same time.

Triodos also offers ethical savings accounts and publishes every organisation it lends to, offering rare transparency in banking.

If you’ve built up cash for peace of mind, it’s worth asking: what is it funding in the meantime?

🥚 The Long-term Egg – your pension

For most of us, our pension is the biggest pot of money we’ll ever have — and yet it’s also the one we pay the least attention to.

Because pensions are invested in global markets, they can have a significant real-world impact. Some traditional default funds still hold fossil fuel producers or high-carbon companies.

Online pensions provider PensionBee offers a Climate Plan designed to avoid fossil fuels and invest in companies supporting the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

You don’t need to be an expert to ask where your pension is invested. A simple review could be one of the smartest money moves you make.

🥚 The Growth Egg – your ISA and investments

Investing isn’t just about returns, it’s about what you are backing with your capital.

Ethical financial advisers like EQ Investors, Path Financial and Switchfoot Wealth help clients align their investments with their values, whether that means focusing on climate solutions, social impact or long-term sustainable growth.

If you’re investing through an ISA or portfolio, asking questions about carbon exposure, stewardship and impact doesn’t make you awkward – it makes you informed.

Diversification matters. But so does direction.

🥚 The Power Egg – backing the renewable revolution

The UK’s energy system is changing fast. Wind, solar and battery storage are now central to cutting emissions and improving energy security.

Clean energy investment firm Thrive Renewables gives individuals the chance to invest directly in renewable energy projects across the UK, from onshore wind to solar and battery storage.

For those who want their money to visibly support the transition away from fossil fuels, this can be a practical way to back homegrown clean energy.

🥚 The Home Egg – greener mortgages and housing

Homes are one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions in the UK, but they’re also one of the biggest opportunities for improvement.

Ecology Building Society rewards borrowers who create energy-efficient homes and supports sustainable self-build and renovation projects. That means your mortgage could be helping to accelerate greener housing standards.

Even if you’re not moving house, reviewing how your home is financed – or how future improvements are funded – can form part of your Good Egg checklist.

Don’t stop at one egg

You’ve probably heard the phrase: don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

When it comes to impact, though, there’s something reassuring about having a whole basket of Good Eggs.

Switching one account might not feel revolutionary. But across pensions, savings, investments and everyday banking, small changes can redirect thousands of pounds over a lifetime towards businesses and projects working on climate solutions, community development and social progress.

This Easter, instead of asking what chocolate you’ll choose, ask a different question: Is your money a Good Egg?

A Junior ISA (JISA) is one of the simplest ways to invest for your child’s future. Choose an ethical option and it can also open up early conversations about where money goes – and what you’d like it to support (or avoid).

Starting early gives compounding more time to do the heavy lifting. And the sums involved are only going one way. A typical first-time buyer deposit now runs into tens of thousands, while day-to-day living costs remain high. University is getting pricier too, with the maximum tuition fee in England now £9,790 a year.

You can invest up to £9,000 a year in a JISA, tax-free. Once the account is open, friends and family can contribute, helping to build the pot over time. Your child can take over managing the account from age 16 and access the money at 18.

Junior ISA basics (quick refresher)

You can save or invest up to £9,000 a year in a JISA, tax-free.

A parent or guardian opens it, but friends and family can contribute once it’s set up.

From age 16 your child can become the registered contact (i.e. start managing it), and at 18 they can access the money – it also converts into an adult ISA.

Below are strong options if you want a ready-made ethical portfolio (so the investments are chosen for you).

Dedicated sustainable investment platforms/apps: 

The Big Exchange

Annual fee: 0.25 per cent
Fund management fees: Typically ranges between 0.5 per cent and 1.8 per cent, per year
Minimum investment: £25 per month or £100 lump sum

Co-founded by The Big Issue, The Big Exchange is an online investment platform listing only funds that are proven to make a positive difference to the planet and its people. Funds are independently assessed and rated (gold, silver or bronze) based on their impact and transparency.

A free mobile app makes it easy to manage investments on the go.

For more on The Big Exchange, see our full review.

Simply EQ

Annual fee: 0.99 per cent up to £100,000, then reducing
Fund management fees: Typically 0.25 to 0.6 per cent per year
Minimum investment: £1,000 per month or a £50,000 lump sum

Simply EQ is a high-minimum, adviser-supported proposition that may suit families putting away larger sums (for example, grandparents contributing a lump sum). It offers impact-themed strategies including Positive Impact, Future Leaders and Climate Action.

For more information on Simply EQ, see our full review

Robo-advisers offering ethical JISAs:

Annual fee: 0.6 per cent
Fund management fees: Average of 0.58 per cent for Ethical Plans
Minimum investment: £1

Wealthify (owned by Aviva) offers ethical portfolios alongside its standard plans. Its approach combines exclusions (such as weapons and tobacco) with ESG-focused fund selection.

Moneybox

Subscription: £1 a month (covers investment accounts; sometimes waived in specific cases)
Platform fee: 0.45 per cent a year
Other costs: Typically around 0.12 to 0.30 per cent depending on the portfolio

Moneybox offers socially responsible investment options within its Junior ISA. Its approach blends ESG investing with a simple, app-based experience.

Traditional providers offering ethical portfolios for a JISA:

Scottish Friendly

Annual fee: 1.5 per cent up to £5,000, 1 per cent up to £20,000
Fund management fees: (covered in the above fee)
Minimum investment: £20 a month or £50 lump sum

Scottish Friendly offers a range of Junior ISA options and funds (including a climate-themed fund option in its range). It’s worth flagging that charges are higher than many DIY platforms and will matter more as the pot grows.

Interactive Investor

Annual fee: Typically £4.99 a month for an Investor plan (Junior ISA included when linked to a parent account)
Fund management fees: Typically 0.1 to 0.8 per cent depending on fund
Minimum investment: £25 per month or any lump sum

Interactive Investor (ii) offers ready-made sustainable portfolios (such as a Sustainable Growth option) depending on account type.

ii can work well for larger family portfolios because flat fees can be cost-effective – but it’s best for readers who already use ii or plan to consolidate accounts there.

Bestinvest

Service fee: 0.2 per. cent a year for Bestinvest Ready-made Portfolios (higher for other holdings)
Fund management fees: 0.5 to one per cent
Minimum investment: £50 lump sum

Bestinvest offers ready-made ethical portfolios (including sustainable options) based on risk level, providing a balance between guidance and flexibility.

Hargreaves Lansdown

HL is still a useful mention for readers who want to choose their own sustainable funds – but it’s not a ready-made ethical portfolio provider in the same way as the options above.

Annual account charge for HL Junior ISA: 0 per cent (no ongoing platform fee for holding funds, shares, ETFs etc in the Junior ISA)

HL offers a wide universe of funds, so parents can build a sustainable shortlist – but it does require more hands-on decision-making.

Risk warning: Investments can go down in value as well as up in your child’s JISA, so your child could get back less than you invest.

The past few years have shown how quickly financial stability can shift. From the long tail of the pandemic to rising geopolitical tensions – including the Iran conflict pushing up energy prices again – households are facing ongoing cost-of-living pressure. With mortgage rates still uncertain, building a reliable cash buffer remains as important as ever.

But where you keep that money matters.

Many of the UK’s biggest banks continue to finance fossil fuels and other harmful industries. For savers who want their money to support positive change, green and ethical Cash ISAs offer a clear alternative.

These providers range from dedicated ethical banks financing environmental and social projects, to mutuals and more neutral players that tend to have a lighter footprint than shareholder-driven high street banks.

While cash savings are unlikely to outpace inflation over time, they offer stability. Unlike investments, their value doesn’t fluctuate, making them well suited to emergency funds and short-term goals. And, as with all UK Cash ISAs, eligible deposits are protected up to £125,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Here, we round up some of the best options for a Good Cash ISA.

Easy Access ISAs

Skipton Building Society

• Member Annual Allowance Cash ISA 4.02 per cent (gross/AER/variable)

As well as not investing in fossil fuels, Skipton offsets more emissions than its operations produce. Since 2022, Skipton has committed to giving one per cent of its pre-tax Group profit to charity each year.

Ecology Building Society

• Ecology Cash ISA 2.8 per cent (gross/AER/variable)

Ecology Building Society uses its savers’ deposits to lend out as eco-friendly mortgages for new-builds and renovation projects with the ultimate aim of helping make Britain’s housing stock more energy efficient.

Ecology has a Good Egg mark from Good With Money, awarded only to companies that make a positive impact in the world.

Triodos Bank

• Online Cash ISA 2.36 per cent (gross/AER/variable) 

Ethical Bank Triodos, which also has a Good Egg mark from Good With Money, uses the money its savers deposit with it to lend out to real economy businesses making a positive environmental, social or cultural impact on the world.

Also offering stock market investments, crowd-funded Innovative Finance ISAs (IFISAs) and ethical current and savings accounts, Triodos is a true leader in the field of ethical personal finance.

Top 9 ethical current accounts

Fixed rate ISAs

Bear in mind that with these options, your money is locked away for the length of the term.

Nationwide Building Society

• 1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA 4.05 per cent (gross/AER/fixed)

Nationwide is the UK’s largest mutual, meaning it’s owned by and run for the benefit of its members. Because of the way it’s run, it says, it’s free to reinvest more profits into products and services that benefit members, rather than being driven by shareholders. It says doing the right thing by its members is at the heart of what it does.

Yorkshire Building Society

• Four Access eISA 4.05 per cent (gross/AER/fixed)

Yorkshire Building Society is an official signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking – a single framework for a sustainable banking industry.

The mutual has made a commitment to identify and measure the environmental and social impacts of its business activities, set and implement targets where it has the most impact, and regularly report publicly on its progress.

Gatehouse Bank

• One Year Fixed Term Woodland Cash ISA, Shariah principles 3.96 per cent (gross/AER/fixed)

An Islamic Bank, Gatehouse avoids investing in industries considered to be unethical under Shariah principles, which in practice are the same as those frowned upon under Christianity. The firm states it will “only invest funds in ethical goods and services and, for example, does not invest in gambling, alcohol, tobacco or arms”. It invests in real estate and construction as well as sukuk, which are sometimes known as Islamic Bonds.

Additionally, for every Woodland Saver account opened or renewed, Gatehouse will plant a tree in a UK woodland on the saver’s behalf.

Under Shariah principles, interest cannot be earned but profit is generated instead. The profit shared is the expected profit rate at the time the account is opened. To date, Gatehouse has always generated and paid its customers the expected profit rate. Find out more about how it works here.

Other options to consider for Cash ISAs with more ethically-minded providers include Chelsea Building Society, Coventry Building Society and Cooperative Bank.

Charity Bank

• Ethical 1 year Cash ISA 3.61 per cent (gross/AER/fixed)

Charity Bank was founded to support charities with loans that they couldn’t find elsewhere and to show people how their savings could be invested ethically and in ways that would make them happy. It invests its customers’ money into charities and social enterprises around the country.

Top 7 platforms for a green stocks and shares ISA

Talking about what happens to your money after you’re gone can feel uncomfortable. So it gets postponed. And postponed again. Until either something forces the issue, or the opportunity to do it well has slipped away.

That’s a shame, because done thoughtfully, inheritance planning is one of the most meaningful things you can do with your finances.

It’s not just a tax problem

Yes, inheritance tax matters. At 40 per cent above the available thresholds, it can take a significant chunk out of an estate. There are also legitimate ways to reduce that bill. Thoughtful gifting, trusts and other planning tools all have a role, depending on individual circumstances.

But tax is a tool, not a strategy. As the former chancellor Roy Jenkins once put it, inheritance tax is “a voluntary levy paid by those who distrust their heirs more than they dislike the Inland Revenue.”

Families that focus only on minimising tax often miss the more important question: what is your money actually for?

Start with values, not structures

Before thinking about wills or legal documents, it’s worth stepping back and asking some bigger questions.

What does wealth mean to you? Is it security, freedom or the ability to create change? Do you want to preserve it, spend it or direct some of it towards causes you care about? And how much does it matter that future investments reflect your values?

These conversations are often more revealing than the financial ones. Older generations may prioritise stability, while younger ones may care more about climate or social impact. Neither is wrong, but if they are not discussed, misunderstandings can grow.

What history tells us

The Cadbury family built one of Britain’s most enduring legacies, rooted not just in business but in fairness and community. From the model village of Bournville to charitable trusts still active today, their wealth lasted because it was held together by shared purpose.

The Gucci family tells a different story. Without clear governance or common direction, the business became a source of conflict. Disputes played out publicly, control was lost, and a remarkable legacy fractured. The lesson is not that wealth is dangerous. It is that wealth without shared meaning is fragile.

Write it down

One of the most practical steps is creating a simple family constitution. Not a legal document, just a clear record of your values, investment principles and how decisions will be made.

It turns good intentions into something the next generation can actually use. This is especially important for ethical investing. If you care where your money goes, writing it down helps ensure those choices continue.

From entitlement to stewardship

Families who get this right often shift from seeing inheritance as a windfall to seeing it as stewardship. Each generation holds wealth in trust for the next.

That might mean supporting entrepreneurial projects, linking distributions to contribution, or preparing younger family members to manage what they inherit. Done well, it strengthens both finances and relationships.

A word on fairness

Equal does not always mean fair. Whether to divide an estate equally, reflect different circumstances, or include grandchildren are questions with no universal answer. But they are worth discussing openly, ideally before assumptions harden into resentment.

Inheritance planning is not a one-off task. It evolves as your family does. At its heart, it is not really about money. It is about meaning.

When your wealth is aligned with your values, and those values are clearly understood, your legacy becomes something more than a number on a balance sheet. It becomes something that can support your family and reflect what matters to you long into the future.

David Macdonald is Founder of ethical financial planners Path Financial, a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ company.

This article is in partnership with Path Financial. It is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.

Renewable energy company Thrive Renewables has launched a £5 million bond, giving investors the chance to support new clean energy projects with an interest rate of 5.5 per cent per year.

The offer, available through Triodos Bank UK’s crowdfunding platform, allows individuals to invest directly in renewable energy infrastructure – including two new onshore wind farms planned for Scotland and Wales.

Money raised through the bond will also help provide funding for community-owned energy projects across the UK.

Funding new wind power

One of the projects supported by the raise will be Thrive’s largest development to date – a 57MW wind farm in the Scottish Borders made up of 14 turbines.

Once operational, the site could generate up to 149,400 MWh of clean electricity every year, enough to power the equivalent of around 45,000 average UK homes and cut an estimated 65,300 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

The bond will also help fund Abergorki wind farm in Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales, a three-turbine project expected to begin operating in 2027. It could generate up to 40,000 MWh of electricity each year, enough to power more than 12,400 Welsh homes.

Together, the two projects are expected to provide enough renewable electricity to sustainably power the equivalent of more than 57,000 households annually.

‘People-powered investment’

Matthew Clayton, CEO of Thrive Renewables, said the bond continues the organisation’s long tradition of enabling individuals to invest directly in the clean energy transition.

“For thirty years we’ve been proving that people-powered investment can accelerate the UK’s transition to clean energy. With this new bond, investors will be directly enabling the construction of two major wind farms, alongside strengthening the community energy movement we’ve championed for decades.

“We know many people are looking for ways to take meaningful climate action, and this offer gives them the chance to do exactly that – backing real projects, delivering real impact.”

Whitni Thomas, head of corporate finance at Triodos Bank UK, said the offer will appeal to investors who want their money to support tangible climate solutions.

“Values-led investors want opportunities that combine strong climate impact with a transparent, mission-driven approach. By helping finance two new onshore wind farms and further community energy initiatives, investors will be contributing to the kind of systemic change the UK urgently needs.”

Why renewable energy investment matters

Renewable energy is playing an increasingly central role in the UK’s electricity system as the country moves away from fossil fuels.

Community-backed projects like those supported by Thrive allow individuals to invest directly in the infrastructure needed to power homes and businesses with clean energy in their local area.

Founded almost three decades ago, Thrive Renewables has raised £63 million through crowdfunding to support 45 wind, solar and hydro projects across the UK.

How the bond works

The new bond has a five-year term and offers 5.5 per cent gross interest per year, paid annually in arrears.

Key details include:

• Target raise: £5 million (part of a wider £10 million fundraising)
• Term: five years
• Interest: 5.5 per cent gross per year
• Minimum investment: £25
• Closing date: 16 April 2026 (unless fully subscribed earlier)

The bond can also be held inside a Triodos Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA), meaning interest may be received tax-free, subject to eligibility rules and individual tax circumstances. ISA eligibility does not guarantee returns or protect consumers from losing their money.

With the offer running until mid-April, it spans both the current tax year and the start of the new ISA season, meaning investors could choose to use either their remaining ISA allowance for this year or part of their new allowance from April.

Understanding the risks

As with all investments of this type, capital is at risk and returns are not guaranteed.

Interest payments and repayment of capital depend on the performance of the projects and may not be paid if things go wrong. Investments are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Investors should read the full offer document carefully and consider seeking independent financial advice if they are unsure whether the investment is suitable.

This financial promotion was approved on 13 March 2026 by Triodos Bank UK Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 11379025. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. 

Opening a savings account for your child is a smart way to teach them about interest: while money in a piggy bank sits idle, money held in a bank or building society can grow over time. The longer it stays, the more it compounds.

While budgeting apps aimed at children are excellent for showing them how to manage money in a fun way, many do not pay interest on savings (though some let you add interest manually).

By choosing a children’s savings account with a provider that avoids investing in environmentally or socially destructive practices, you can also teach your child that their money has an impact – for good or bad.

Below are five top ethical and socially conscious providers offering savings accounts for children and teens, including the newly-launched Monzo under-16s interest account.

Coventry Building Society

Account: Young Saver
Interest rate: 4.00 per cent /AER**/variable
Age: 11 to 17-year-olds

How is it ethical? Coventry is a B Corp and a mutual, committed to high standards of social and environmental performance.

Key terms: Minimum balance £1, maximum £5,000. Monthly deposit from £1 to £200. Withdrawals up to £100 in cash daily. Interest paid monthly. Only openable in branch.

Saffron Building Society

Account: Children’s Regular Saver
Interest rate: 3.95 per cent gross*/AER**/variable
Age: Under 17

How is it ethical? As a mutual, Saffron is owned by its customers. It is accredited by the Good Business Charter (covering environmental responsibility, ethical sourcing, etc.).

Key terms: Maximum monthly deposit £100.00. Open in branch or by post. Managed by phone or web chat (no full digital interface).

Leeds Building Society

Account: Ronnie the Rhino Youngsaver
Interest rate: 3.25 per cent gross*/AER**/ variable
Age: Under 18s.

How is it ethical? Leeds avoids investing in fossil fuels, runs its premises on 100 per cent renewable electricity, emphasises fairness and transparency. It holds a Gold Ribbon accreditation from Fairer Finance.

Key terms: Must open by branch or post (no online opening). Parent/guardian signature required. If balance drops below £10, rate falls to 0.05 per cent. Interest paid annually. Withdrawals: under 12s – unlimited £10 withdrawals; ages 13-17 – one withdrawal per week between £10 – £250.

Monzo

• Account: Monzo for Under 16s
• Interest rate: 2.75 per cent AER (variable) on savings for under-16s, paid monthly (interest accrues daily) 
• Age: 6 to 15 

How is it ethical? Monzo isn’t (yet) a mutual or B Corp, but it positions itself as a socially responsible business. It says deposits are invested “safely and ethically,” that it avoids artificial tax planning, and has a zero tolerance policy on modern slavery. However, independent ethical ratings organisations note that its ethical credentials are limited, with less transparency on wider lending or partnership practices.

How it works: Linked to a parent/guardian’s account. The parent legally owns the funds; interest counts toward their tax position.

Best ethical Junior ISAs

Nationwide

Account: FlexOne current account
Interest rate: 2.00 per cent AER**
Age: 11 to 17-year-olds

How is it ethical? As a mutual building society, profits are reinvested for members; its asset mix is heavily skewed toward residential lending, which may reduce exposure to unsustainable corporate lending.

Key terms: Interest paid on balances up to £1,000. Ages 11–17 can choose a cash card or Visa debit card. No monthly fee. Account usable until age 23.

Savings rates have cooled from their recent highs, and the very best deals are now harder to find. But it’s still possible to earn more than inflation – if you choose wisely.

If you care about the planet as well as your pocket, interest rates won’t be the only factor to consider.

Ethical banks and building societies avoid investing in fossil fuels and harmful industries like tobacco and weapons. Some – like Triodos Bank – go further, lending only to projects that make a positive impact on people and the planet.

Here are our top sustainable instant/easy access savings accounts currently offering the highest rates.

1. Leeds Building Society

Account: Online Access Saver

Interest: Variable 3.95 per cent/gross/AER* 

Key terms: Minimum deposit £1,000. Can be managed online only. The term is fixed until 02 November 2026, with interest paid on maturity. If the balance falls below £1,000, the rate of interest will be 0.05 per cent/gross/variable AER*

Why is it ethical? Leeds Building Society says it puts “fairness, transparency and good ethical practice remain at the heart” of everything it does. As a building society it will not invest in fossil fuels and all its buildings run on 100 per cent renewable electricity.

6 top-paying ethical Cash ISAs

2. Yorkshire Building Society

Account: Easy Access Saver

Interest: Variable 3.65 per cent/gross/AER*

Key terms: Minimum deposit £1. Unlimited withdrawals allowed.

Why is it ethical?  Yorkshire Building Society is an official signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking – a single framework for a sustainable banking industry. The mutual has made a commitment to identify and measure the environmental and social impacts of its business activities, set and implement targets where it has the most impact, and regularly report publicly on its progress.

3. Zero

Account: Planet Safe Saver

Interest: Variable around 3.4 per cent/gross/AER*

Key terms: £1 deposit. Easy access, with withdrawals usually received within one working day. You’ll need to open a Zero current account to access the saver.

Why is it ethical? Zero is a UK-based financial platform offering a sustainable, accessible alternative to traditional banking. It offers a personal account, debit Mastercard, savings account, and free app, all built around transparency and low environmental impact.

Through its GreenScore® feature, Zero helps users understand how their lifestyle choices affect the planet and offers practical ways to reduce emissions. Its Zero Carbon Projects initiative allows customers to support verified global carbon removal projects directly within the app.

Zero is a certified B Corp company, meaning it meets independently verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

4. Tandem Bank

Account: Easy Access

Interest: Variable 3.40 per cent/gross/AER* (with ‘top-up rate’ – you need to manually apply this, but it’s the click of a button)

Key terms: No minimum deposit. Manage your account online.

Why is it ethical? A digital challenger bank, Tandem aims to be a “greener, more accessible bank for people across the UK”. Tandem guarantees that your savings are never used to fund fossil fuel extraction and production or similar destructive industries. Instead, money held in Tandem savings accounts is used solely to fund its lending products.

Its home improvement loans finance energy-efficient improvements such as solar panels and air source heat pumps, saving people money on energy bills while also helping to save the planet. ​​Tandem’s EPC mortgages reward customers who own energy-efficient homes.

5. Nationwide Building Society

Account: Flex Instant Saver

Interest: Variable 2.30 per cent/gross/AER* for 12 months

Key terms: After 12 months, Nationwide will move your money to another instant access savings account with a lower interest rate.

Why is it ethical? As a building society, Nationwide must hold at least 75 per cent of its assets in residential property, making it far less likely than its big bank competitors to be lending to unsustainable firms. Its profits are also invested back into the business for the benefit of borrowers and savers (it’s “members”) rather than shareholders. In July 2025, Nationwide handed back £100 each to 3.4 million eligible members in a “Fairer Share” payment to celebrate its acquisition of Virgin Money.

6. Ecology Building Society

Account: Easy Access

Interest: Variable 2.30 per cent/gross/AER*

Key terms: Minimum initial deposit £25. Save up to £125,000

Why is it ethical? Ecology Building Society is known for its mortgages on eco-friendly new builds and renovation projects. The deposits it holds from savers is used to lend to making Britain’s housing stock more energy efficient. Ecology is a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ company – this is a mark that is awarded only to companies that make a positive impact in the world.

7. Triodos Bank

Account: Online Saver Plus

Interest: Up to 2.20 per cent/gross/AER*

Key terms: Minimum deposit £1. Three penalty-free withdrawals per year.

Why is it ethical? While the interest rate on its instant access savings account isn’t the highest out there, Triodos – A Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ firm – really is the gold standard when it comes to saving your money sustainably. While you earn interest on your savings, Triodos uses your money to finance projects that are making a positive and lasting impact on society, culture or the environment. It prides itself on being open and transparent about its investments and publishes details of every loan it makes, as well as the positive impact it is making.

Triodos says it increases rates across the board for all its products, not just some, and for all customers – it won’t tempt people in with temporary higher rates that will fall later on.

8. Skipton Building Society

Account: Easy Access Saver

Interest: Variable 2.05 per cent/gross/AER*

Key terms: Minimum deposit £1.

Why is it ethical? As well as not investing in fossil fuels, Skipton offsets more emissions than its operations produce. Its partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust will see it plant 30,000 trees from 2021 to 2023. The partnership will also support 400 people from disadvantaged communities to get involved in creating and caring for woodlands.

9. Co-operative Bank

Account: Online Saver

Interest: Variable 2.00 per cent/gross/AER*

Key terms: Only for Co-op current account holders. Minimum £1 deposit. Manage online and on mobile only.

Why is it ethical? The Co-op Bank is the only bank to have a “customer-led” ethical policy. Taking into account customer views, it takes a strong stance on fossil fuels, climate, labour rights, indiscriminate weapons and animal welfare. However, in 2017 the bank was bailed out by international hedge funds. Although they continue to proclaim it as an ethical bank, for many the sale put a question mark over the integrity of its ethical policy. However, the bank is currently in exclusive talks with Coventry Building Society over a potential merger.

* AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate and it’s a type of interest rate for savings accounts. AER is calculated based on the interest, bonuses and charges on your savings account across a 12 month period. If your AER is variable, the amount of interest you’ll earn can change, either going up or down.

If you’d like to find out more about the above providers, a Which? membership gives you access to in-depth, expert reviews, ‘Best Buys’ and ‘Don’t Buys.’

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

If you’ve got some spare cash once the bills are paid, the first priority should be building an emergency buffer.

Most experts suggest holding three to six months’ essential expenses in an easy-access savings account. That pot isn’t there to make you rich – it’s there to stop you reaching for expensive credit if the boiler breaks, your car fails its MOT or your income suddenly drops.

Cash savings are predictable and protected. Your money won’t fall in value overnight and, up to £120,000 per person per institution, it’s covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

However, inflation almost always means that your cash savings will lose value over time. If you’re saving for goals more than five years away – retirement, a house deposit, financial independence – investing is generally a better way to grow your wealth, though it comes with ups and downs along the way.

If you’re looking to keep some savings in cash, here are some of the more ethical options to consider – from social and environmental pioneers to mutuals that are structurally less driven by shareholder profit.

Least ethical UK banks

1. Triodos Bank

• Everyday Savings (instant access): 2.20% AER (variable) on standard accounts.
• Ethical Savings Bonds: 3.50% gross/AER on fixed terms.
• Online Cash ISA: 2.35% tax-free / 2.36% AER.

Why is it ethical?

Ethical Bank Triodos, which has a Good Egg mark from Good With Money, is a true leader in the field of ethical personal finance and only invests in businesses that have a positive social and/or environmental impact.

Key terms

• The Everyday Savings account gives instant access with no notice required. It has a £1 minimum deposit.
• The Ethical Savings Bonds offers fixed rates of one or two years.

2. Ecology Building Society 

• Easy Access: 2.30% gross/AER (variable)
• Regular Savings (monthly deposits): 3.00% AER (variable)
• 35-Day Notice: 2.75% gross/AER (variable)
• Rhondda Cynon Taf  (RCT) Community Impact Saver Account: 2.00% gross/AER
• Ecology Sea-Changers Impact Saver Account: 2.00% gross/AER

Why is it ethical?

Ecology Building Society is known for its mortgages on eco-friendly new builds and renovation projects. So what it takes in deposits from savers, is used to lend to making Britain’s housing stock more energy efficient.

The company boasts a Good Egg mark from Good With Money, which is awarded only to companies that make a positive impact in the world. It was also the first building society awarded a Fair Tax Mark.

The RCT account makes a monthly donation to the Ecology Community Scheme, while the Sea-Changers account makes a quarterly donation to marine conservation charity Sea-Changers.

Key points

• Membership gives voting rights.
• Accounts help fund planet-positive projects.

3. Co-operative Bank

• Regular Saver paying 7 per cent AER (variable) for 12 months
• Cash ISA and fixed-term options available, but rates vary

Why is it ethical? 

The Co-op Bank has a long history of ethical banking, having launched its first ethical policy back in 1992. Now, it is committed to carbon neutral operations, and won’t fund or invest in companies that manufacture or market destructive products like weapons and tobacco. It says it won’t support businesses or organisations that have business relationships with oppressive regimes and will promote human rights and equality across the world.

In 2017 the bank was bailed out by international hedge funds, which dented its reputation for responsibility. However, in 2024 it was bought by Coventry Building Society – a B Corp company with high ethical standards.

Key points

• Regular saver can pay competitive rates – but check access rules.
• Other savings accounts vary widely in rates and access.

4. Nationwide

• Flex Regular Saver: 6.5% AER with monthly saving cap; rate may reduce after extra withdrawals.
• Flex Instant Saver: 2.3% AER (for current account customers).

Why is it ethical? 

As a building society, Nationwide must hold at least 75 per cent of its assets in residential property, making it far less likely than its big bank competitors to be lending to unsustainable firms. Its profits are also invested back into the business for the benefit of borrowers and savers (it’s “members”) rather than shareholders.

Key points

• With the Flex Regular Saver, after four withdrawals the interest rate reduces to 1.05 per cent AER/gross a year (variable) for the rest of the term.

5. Coventry Building Society

• The Regular Saver account: 4 per cent AER (variable) on monthly savings

Why is it ethical?

Mutual ownership helps align the society’s interests with customers, though executive pay at some mutuals has drawn scrutiny.

Key terms

With the Regular Saver account you can save from £1 to £500 per month. You can access your money, but it’s with a charge equal to 30 calendar days interest on the amount withdrawn.

6. Zero 

• Easy Access “Planet Safe Saver”: 3.4% AER (variable).

Why it’s ethical
Zero’s saver explicitly avoids funding fossil fuels, weapons, tobacco and similar sectors.

7. Tandem Bank

• The Instant Saver account: Up to 4.37 per cent interest (variable) gross/AER per year

Why is it ethical?

A digital challenger bank, Tandem aims to be a “greener, more accessible bank for people across the UK”. Tandem guarantees that your savings are never used to fund fossil fuel extraction and production or similar destructive industries. Instead, money held in Tandem savings accounts is used solely to fund its lending products.

Its home improvement loans finance energy-efficient improvements such as solar panels and air source heat pumps, saving people money on energy bills while also helping to save the planet. ​​Tandem’s EPC mortgages reward customers who own energy-efficient homes.

Key terms

• No minimum deposit. Manage your account online. The rate includes a 0.25 per cent “top-up” but this is available at the click of a button.

8. Charity Bank

• Easy access at 3.04 per cent AER 
• 33-Day notice account up to 3.04 per cent AER

Why is it ethical?

Charity Bank was founded to support charities with loans that they couldn’t find elsewhere and to show people how their savings could be invested ethically and in ways that would make them happy. It invests its customers’ money into charities and social enterprises around the country.

It says on its website: “Charities have never been more needed, but also more challenged. That’s why our promise – of supporting charitable activities and helping people to save and do good – is more important than ever.”

 Top 6 ethical current accounts

9. Gatehouse Bank

• Woodland Saver accounts pay ‘expected profit’ rates (currently 3.25%-4.09% AER depending on term)

Why is it ethical?

As a Sharia-compliant bank, Gatehouse avoids alcohol, gambling, weapons and similar sectors; its Woodland Savers include tree-planting initiatives.

10. Raisin UK

Raisin isn’t a bank but a savings platform that lets you access a range of savings accounts from building societies (often mutual or ethical-aligned) and Sharia-compliant providers.

It can be particularly useful if you want to compare ethical deals, but always check FSCS protection and product terms before committing.

Top ethical offers: 

• One year fixed term deposit account with Sharia Bank QIB offering 3.85 per cent/AER/Gross

Other ethical savings options

Credit unions

Local credit unions are mutual, community-focused savings/co-ops where your savings fund affordable local lending. Rates vary, and dividends (shared profits) replace traditional interest rates. FSCS protection applies. Check for a credit union near you.

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

* to benefit from the Grow Your Savings £100 welcome bonus, you must fund your account with a minimum of £5,000 between the campaign dates of May 19 and June 16 2025.

Life insurance is designed to provide financial protection for the people who depend on you. But as life changes, the level of cover you need can change too.

Here, Alex Hollingshead explains the key life events that should prompt a review of your life insurance – and why it’s important to make sure your policy still reflects your circumstances.

This article is from the Good Guide to Life Insurance, which you can download for free. Protection is a crucial safety net for your family, but it needs updating as your life changes.

According to a study by Direct Line, only 35 per cent of adults in the UK have life insurance, despite its importance in providing for their families. This translates to roughly 18.8 million people. Even if you are one of these 35 per cent, it’s also

important to review your policy on a regular basis or after a significant life event.

What are life events?

When we think about life insurance, it’s important to remember that the proceeds are for our loved ones. A life event in the context of life insurance refers to a significant catalyst in your life that can affect their financial situation.

Examples include:

1. Having children: Losing half the available income in case of an untimely death could leave the surviving spouse struggling to make ends meet. In fact, 7 in 10 households say they’d have trouble covering everyday living expenses within just months of losing their primary wage earner.

2. Buying a home: Paying off a mortgage is one of the main reasons people buy life insurance. To help keep the people you love in the home they love, you can buy enough life insurance to completely cover that debt.

3. Paying off your mortgage: Decreasing insurance policies are set up to finish around the same time a mortgage is due to be paid off and lapse automatically. If affordable, you may look to put a level term assurance policy in place rather than a decreasing policy. A level term policy can provide a sum assured even after the mortgage is paid off.

4. Divorce: It is important to revisit existing life insurance policies after divorce. Where partners have separated with children, the sum assured provided by a pre-existing contract may still be intended to be left to cover childcare, school fees or to leave a nest egg. The complications occur when deciding who pays the premiums and for how long.

5. Retiring: Upon retirement, you may lose death in service or relevant life benefits provided by your employer. If there is still a need for life insurance after retirement it is important to consult a financial planner as to what your options may be. If older at retirement premiums may be significantly more expensive and cover may have to be reduced to keep premiums affordable.

What constitutes a change in circumstances?

Changes in circumstances relate to events that may give rise to a policy adjustment. For instance, buying a more expensive property may mean that your current decreasing insurance policy will not cover the new mortgage amount in its entirety.

Having children may increase the cover needed and most likely the monthly premium.

As life insurance is medically underwritten, changes to your health status may adjust the premium. For instance, quitting smoking may reduce your premium.

In all occurrences, it’s best to check with the insurer or your financial planner.

Should you review your insurance annually?

In short, yes. Checking outstanding policies is always prudent even if the insurance has been taken out to cover the long term.

Is it worth switching providers?

An annual review of your policy may show that switching providers could result in a cheaper monthly premium. However, there are many potential drawbacks of switching providers. A conversation with your financial planner is recommended.

It’s important to make sure when shopping around that the new insurance policy reflects the same terms as the previous policy. It’s also worth noting that changing providers will result in a new two-year contestability period meaning that if the provider discovers any inaccuracies in the information provided, cover may be denied.

Wills Month usually prompts the practical questions. Have you written one? Is it up to date? Does it actually say what you think it says?

But there’s another question worth asking too: does your will reflect your values?

A will isn’t just a legal document that divides assets and appoints executors. It’s one of the final financial decisions you’ll ever make, and for many people that means it is also a statement about what mattered during your lifetime.

“With thoughtful planning, people can ensure their money supports the causes, people and principles that mattered to them during their lifetime,” says Anthony Fuller, Chartered Financial Planner at Path Financial.

More than just who gets what

Traditionally, wills have focused on distribution – making sure partners, children and other relatives are provided for, while minimising inheritance tax where possible. Those fundamentals still matter enormously.

But increasingly, people are thinking beyond the mechanics. They are asking whether their final financial plans align with the way they have tried to live.

If you’ve spent years switching to a greener energy tariff, moving your pension into sustainable funds, or choosing ethical financial providers, it’s natural to wonder what happens to your money next. Should some of your estate support the causes you care about? Should investments held in trust continue to be managed responsibly? Can your will help shape a positive legacy rather than simply pass on assets?

For many, the answer is yes.

Leaving money to charity – intentionally

Charitable gifts in wills are nothing new, but they are often treated as an afterthought rather than a deliberate choice.

“Leaving a gift to charity in your will is one of the most direct ways to reflect your values,” says Fuller. “This can be done by leaving a fixed amount to charity or a percentage of your estate.”

Some families prefer to leave a percentage so the gift remains proportionate whatever the final value. And while tax shouldn’t be the sole motivation, there can be tax advantages to charitable giving. Leaving 10 per cent of your estate to charity reduces the inheritance tax rate on the remainder from 40 per cent to 36 per cent.

More importantly, a will offers a rare opportunity to think carefully about impact. For some, that means supporting a local hospice, school or community group. For others, it might involve climate action, biodiversity or global development.

Whatever the focus, this is one of the few moments when you can make a considered, long-term decision about the role your money will play after you’re gone.

The rise of the “green will”

Alongside charitable giving, there is growing interest in what advisers sometimes call a “green will”.

This might include leaving specific gifts to environmental charities, expressing preferences for lower-carbon funeral arrangements, or ensuring that assets placed in trust are invested in line with sustainable principles.

“If you intend to leave part of your estate in a trust structure, then clear instructions can be left to encourage responsible or sustainable investment approaches by the named trustees,” Fuller explains.

If you are setting up a trust for children or grandchildren, trustees are often given discretion over how the money is invested. Providing guidance that reflects your priorities is less about controlling the future and more about signalling intent.

Don’t forget pensions

There is also another asset increasingly entering the conversation: pensions.

“Pensions do not often fall under a Will on death and are usually controlled by the scheme trustees and your expression of wishes (so be sure you do one and keep it updated),” says Fuller.

That distinction matters. Because pensions typically sit outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes, they can be a powerful legacy planning tool. And with changes to pension death benefit tax treatment proposed for April 2027, more people are reviewing how they want their pension savings to be used.

“More people are now considering leaving part or all of their pension to charity because of changes to the way pensions will be taxed on death which are proposed for April 2027,” Fuller says. “This is a technical area and can require financial advice to get right.”

In other words, your will is only part of the picture. Your expression of wishes form, kept up to date, is just as important.

Having the conversation

Of course, values-based estate planning can feel sensitive. Some families worry that charitable gifts will reduce what children receive, while others assume everything should automatically remain within the family.

In reality, open conversations about legacy often bring clarity rather than conflict. If children have already benefited from lifetime support – whether through education, housing help or financial gifts – they may be entirely comfortable with a charitable element in a will. Many even expect it.

Wills Month is therefore not just a prompt to write a will, but to review it. Circumstances change, assets grow, and priorities evolve. A document written years ago may no longer reflect your intentions today.

A legacy beyond numbers

Most people do not want to be remembered purely for the size of their estate. They want to be remembered for the values they lived by.

A will cannot capture everything about a life, but it can reflect your intention. And at a time when significant wealth is set to pass between generations – and inequality remains an issue – how we choose to pass money on is not neutral.

Whether you prioritise family, community, climate or a blend of all three, your will gives you the chance to make that choice consciously.

How to invest with purpose, without giving up performance

We live in an age where most of us try, in small but meaningful ways, to live according to our values.

We switch to greener energy tariffs. We avoid brands with poor labour records. We try to tread a little more lightly on the planet. And yet, there’s one area of life that often escapes scrutiny: our investments.

Through workplace pensions, ISAs and managed portfolios, many savers may be backing industries and practices they would never consciously support. Not out of hypocrisy – but because investing is complex, opaque and often delegated. As I often say to clients, your money is always doing something. The question is: do you know what?

Ethical investing exists to close that gap between intention and reality.

Where your money really goes

Automatic enrollment has been a huge success in getting people to save for retirement. But most workplace pensions default into broad global funds that track major stock market indices.

By design, those indices allocate significant weight to large, established sectors such as oil and gas, mining, tobacco, arms and fast fashion. These industries have powered decades of economic growth, but they don’t always align with modern environmental or social priorities.

That doesn’t mean you’re a “bad” investor. It means the system prioritises simplicity and diversification over personal values. If you’ve never checked your pension fund holdings, you’re not alone. But it’s worth a look.

What ethical investing actually means

Ethical investing isn’t about charity. It isn’t philanthropy. And it isn’t about giving up returns for the sake of feeling virtuous. At its core, it means considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors alongside financial returns when deciding where to allocate capital.

There are several approaches:

• Negative screening: avoiding sectors such as tobacco, controversial weapons, fossil fuels or companies linked to human rights abuses.
• Positive screening: favouring companies with strong environmental practices, good labour standards and robust governance.
• Thematic investing: targeting areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture or clean transport.
• Active ownership: using shareholder votes and engagement to influence company behaviour.

For some investors, it goes further into impact investing – directing capital towards businesses specifically designed to solve environmental and social challenges. 

The key point is this: ethical investing is about being intentional.

Can you invest ethically without sacrificing returns?

One of the most persistent myths is that investing ethically means accepting lower returns. That assumption rests on the idea that the most ruthless businesses will always be the most profitable. But the real world is more nuanced.

Companies with weak governance can implode. Businesses that ignore environmental risks face regulatory costs and litigation. Firms that exploit labour risk reputational damage.

Over the past decade, funds integrating ESG criteria have often performed similarly to traditional strategies, although results vary with market conditions, and past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.

During periods of volatility, such as the early months of Covid-19, companies with stronger governance and resilient business models often held up better. That’s not a guarantee of outperformance. Markets move in cycles. In recent years, energy and defence stocks have benefited from geopolitical tensions, while clean energy has faced headwinds.

But structural economic shifts – such as falling solar and wind costs, electric vehicle adoption and tighter efficiency standards – continue to reshape the global economy.

For many investors, ethical investing is less about moral positioning and more about long-term risk management.

When performance isn’t enough anymore

Increasingly, clients tell me something interesting. It’s not just about returns.

They want to know their pension isn’t financing deforestation or other destructive outcomes. They want coherence between how they live and how they invest. 

There’s also a behavioural advantage. When investors feel aligned with what they own, they’re often more likely to stay invested through market turbulence and avoid panic selling. And behaviour is one of the biggest drivers of long-term outcomes.

Of course, not every fund labelled “ethical” is rigorous. Greenwashing is real. Look for transparency around exclusions, full holdings disclosure, voting records and clear methodology.

Most importantly, define what matters to you. Climate change? Labour standards? Fossil fuels? Defence? There isn’t a single “right” answer – only alignment with your priorities.

Your money is not just a store of value. It is a signal. Capital lowers the cost of funding for some activities and raises it for others.

Ethical investing doesn’t promise perfection. And returns are never guaranteed. But for many savers, it offers something powerful: the chance to align financial goals with personal values – without stepping away from long-term growth.

That isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about strategy.

David Macdonald is Founder of ethical financial planners Path Financial – a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ company.

This article is in partnership with Path Financial.

The end of the tax year isn’t just about using up your ISA allowance. It’s a natural reset point – a chance to check where your money is sitting and what it’s supporting.

Because whether we realise it or not, our bank accounts, savings, pensions and investments are shaping the future. They can either prop up fossil fuels, deforestation and inequality – or they can help fund renewable energy, social housing and community projects.

The good news? Making your money greener doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are seven simple ways to give your finances a spring clean before 5 April.

1. Switch to a bank that’s kinder to the planet

Your current account is one of the easiest places to start. The bank you use every day decides where your deposits are lent and invested.

The UK’s biggest high street banks continue to provide billions in financing to fossil fuel companies. If that doesn’t sit comfortably with you, consider switching to a provider with a clear ethical stance.

Good Egg Triodos Bank only lends to organisations delivering positive social and environmental impact. The Co-operative Bank, Nationwide and Cumberland Building Society all have stronger policies than the Big Five, while digital banks Starling and Monzo score better on climate than many traditional players.

If you run a company or charity, Unity Trust Bank focuses on organisations that create social value across the UK.

Switching is simpler than many people think, thanks to the Current Account Switch Service.

2. Move your savings to a specialist ethical provider

Savings don’t just sit there. They are lent out.

By choosing an ethical savings provider, you can help fund renewable energy, community housing, charities and social enterprises.

Good Egg firms Ecology Building Society and Triodos Bank, as well as Charity Bank, all use deposits to support positive projects. Althought interest rates are slowly coming down, you can still earn a competitive return while knowing your money is doing something useful.

If you’re looking to compare rates more widely, savings marketplace Raisin lists a range of banks, including several Sharia-compliant providers for those seeking interest-free options.

If you’ve built up cash savings this year, the end of the tax year is a good time to review where they’re held.

3. Use your ISA allowance for sustainable investments

With the 5 April deadline looming, many people are topping up their ISAs. If you’re investing anyway, why not choose funds or platforms that focus on sustainability?

Platforms such as The Big Exchange and Interactive Investor offer sustainable fund options, while wealth managers like EQ Investors provide managed ethical portfolios.

The Financial Conduct Authority has introduced new sustainable investment labels designed to make it clearer what funds are actually doing, and to clamp down on greenwashing. That should make navigating the space easier – but it still pays to dig into what’s inside a fund.

A greener ISA can be a powerful combination: tax-efficient and values-aligned.

4. Back renewable energy directly

If you want to see a tangible link between your money and real-world change, you could invest directly in UK renewable energy projects.

Platforms such as Thrive Renewables, Ethex and Triodos Crowdfunding allow individuals to invest in wind, solar and hydro schemes across the country.

These investments are higher risk and your capital is at risk, but for some people they offer a meaningful way to support the transition to cleaner energy.

5. Green your pension

Your pension is likely to be your biggest investment pot. Which means it has serious power.

Many workplace schemes now offer ethical or fossil-free fund options. Providers such as Nest and Penfold have sustainable choices, while PensionBee offers a Climate Plan.

If you haven’t checked where your pension is invested recently, the end of the tax year is a smart moment to review it – especially if you’re making contributions to use up annual allowances.

6. Work with an ethical financial adviser

If you’d rather not navigate it all alone, there’s a growing community of advisers who specialise in ethical and sustainable investing.

Path Financial, EQ Investors and Switchfoot Wealth all hold Good Egg accreditation. Ethical Futures is listed in our Good Directory, and Castlefield works with higher net worth investors.

A good adviser can help you align your long-term goals with your values, without losing sight of performance and risk.

7. Make your home greener

Finally, don’t forget your bricks and mortar.

Ecology Building Society’s C-Change mortgage rewards borrowers who improve their home’s energy efficiency with a lower rate. Naturesave allocates 10 per cent of premiums to environmental projects, while Tandem Bank offers green home improvement loans.

Charity Bank provides cashback when you buy or build an energy-efficient property through its Sustainable Buildings Loan.

Small changes, from insulation to solar panels, can reduce emissions and bills at the same time.

A powerful tax-year reset

The end of the tax year isn’t just about allowances and paperwork. It’s an opportunity to check that your money reflects what matters to you.

You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Even one switch – a bank account, a savings pot, a pension fund – can start shifting your financial footprint in a better direction.

Not all ethical insurance providers offer car insurance. But among those that do, you’ll often find extra features – from charitable donations to more transparent climate commitments – alongside standard cover.

If you want your motor insurance to align more closely with your values, these providers are worth considering.

Evergreen Insurance Services

Evergreen Insurance Services remains one of the clearest examples of insurance with a built-in environmental benefit.

Rather than acting as a direct insurer, Evergreen is a broker. It searches the market for a suitable policy, then donates a portion of its commission – up to 25 per cent depending on customer tenure – to wildlife and conservation charities. The donation doesn’t increase your premium.

Customers can choose from a panel of environmental organisations or nominate a charity to be added, helping support activities such as habitat restoration, wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education.

The broker offers:

• Standard car insurance
• Cover for young and learner drivers
• Fleet and commercial vehicle policies
• A wider range of insurance including home, travel, pet, life and gadget cover

Why it stands out: The environmental impact comes through Evergreen’s business model rather than the underlying insurer, making it accessible regardless of the policy provider selected.

Pluginsure

PlugInsure still occupies a niche position as a specialist broker focused on electric vehicles (EVs).

Founded in 2006, the company built its reputation around EV insurance at a time when the market was still emerging. It continues to arrange cover for a wide range of electric cars, vans and trucks via a panel of insurers.

Policies arranged through PlugInsure typically include battery cover, an important consideration given the high replacement cost of EV batteries.

As a broker, PlugInsure does not underwrite policies itself, meaning the environmental and investment policies of the final insurer will vary. This makes it sensible to check the provider ultimately offering your cover if sustainability credentials are a priority.

The firm notes that pricing may be more competitive for drivers over 30 with established no-claims histories and that premiums for some models – particularly Teslas – can be higher.

Why it stands out: Deep EV specialism and battery-inclusive cover options.

Top 4 ethical travel insurers

Aviva

Aviva remains one of the largest mainstream insurers attempting to integrate sustainability into its business, including motor insurance.

The company maintains a target to reach net zero across its operations and supply chain by 2040 and continues to publish detailed sustainability disclosures covering climate strategy, investments and engagement with high-emitting sectors.

Aviva has introduced restrictions on underwriting new thermal coal projects and has progressively tightened its fossil fuel policies, while continuing engagement with companies in carbon-intensive industries.

Other governance features often highlighted include tax transparency reporting and limits on political donations. The insurer has also retained external ethical recognition from consumer ratings organisations.

While Aviva is not a specialist ethical insurer, its scale means its policies and investment approach can have a meaningful real-world impact.

Why it stands out: Large insurer with comparatively advanced climate targets and transparency.

Bank branches continue to disappear from UK high streets. Last week, Lloyds Banking Group announced a further 95 closures – spanning Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland – on top of dozens already scheduled to shut. Once complete, the group will have 610 branches left.

Santander UK has also confirmed more closures, while most large banks continue to cite falling footfall and the shift to digital banking as justification. More than 21 million Lloyds customers now primarily bank via app.

Top 6 responsible mortgage providers for 2026

Banking hubs – shared premises offering basic counter services – are being rolled out, but at a slower pace than branches are closing, and often with more limited provision.

Against that backdrop, one small mutual is taking a different approach.

Ecology Building Society opens in Porth

In April, Ecology Building Society will open its first-ever branch in Porth, South Wales – a town that has been without a bank for more than eight years. More than 62% per cent of Welsh high street bank branches have closed in the past decade.

Ecology says it chose Porth because of long-standing inequalities in access to financial services. The Society has bought premises on Hannah Street and secured UK Government Shared Prosperity Funding, in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, to renovate a former empty shop. At least three local jobs will be created.

Best ethical savings accounts 2026

The branch will offer face-to-face support for savings and mortgage customers, private spaces for video links to Ecology’s wider team, and free-to-use cash deposit and withdrawal kiosks – even for non-members. A community hub space will also be available for local groups.

For small businesses, local cash services could reduce travel time and costs. For residents, it restores access to in-person support that has vanished from many towns.

A different model

As a building society owned by its members rather than shareholders, Ecology argues it can take a longer-term view than listed banking groups. While large banks consolidate around digital-first models, the mutual is betting that physical presence still has social and commercial value in some communities.

One branch will not reverse a national trend. But as closures outpace new hubs, Porth offers a counterpoint to the dominant narrative of retreat.

If you run an ethically-minded business, it makes sense to bank with a provider that aligns with your values.

But when it comes to business banking, the UK’s ‘Big Five’ banks – Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Santander, HSBC, and NatWest – continue to dominate the market, holding the vast majority of small and medium-sized business accounts.

These same institutions remain among the biggest global financiers of fossil fuels and other industries linked to environmental and social harm. According to former campaign group Make My Money Matter, the UK’s largest banks have collectively channelled tens of billions of pounds into fossil fuel companies in recent years.

By contrast, ethical banks tend to have stricter lending policies, clearer exclusions on sectors such as fossil fuels, arms and tobacco, and stronger commitments to transparency and tax responsibility.

While ethical options for business banking are still more limited than for personal accounts, there is now a range of credible alternatives. And switching is straightforward. If you run a small or medium-sized business with fewer than 50 employees and a turnover under £6.5 million, the Current Account Switch Service can move your account within seven working days.

All the providers below are covered under Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), meaning eligible deposits are protected up to £120,000 per authorised institution under the current rules.

1. Unity Trust Bank

Unity Trust Bank specialises in lending to organisations that create positive social impact, including charities, social enterprises and local authorities. It is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most values-driven business banks.

Deposits are used to fund lending aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a significant proportion directed towards organisations operating in areas of high deprivation.

Unity – a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ firm’ – offers business current accounts tailored by turnover, with monthly fees of £7 (charged quarterly). Online banking includes options for dual and triple authorisation, which can suit charities and community organisations.

Unity supports Open Banking, which may allow connection to third-party tools via authorised providers (depending on the platform).

One limitation is the absence of a standard debit card. Cash services are available through NatWest and RBS branches, and card spending is offered via a separate corporate charge card arrangement.

Best suited to: charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and values-led SMEs.

Unity Trust Bank: 40 years of banking for impact

2. Co-operative Bank 

The Co-operative Bank has one of the longest-standing ethical policies in UK banking. It explicitly refuses to bank for organisations involved in areas such as fossil fuel extraction, arms manufacturing, human rights abuses, animal cruelty and payday lending.

In May 2024, Coventry Building Society agreed to buy the bank, and the acquisition completed on 1 January 2025 – but the bank continues to operate under its existing brand and ethical framework.

It offers a range of business current accounts, including specialist options for charities, co-operatives and members of the Federation of Small Businesses.

The bank supports Open Banking feeds, allowing businesses to connect to popular accounting platforms.

Best suited to: small businesses wanting mainstream banking functionality with a clear ethical policy.

3. Cumberland Building Society

Headquartered in Cumbria, Cumberland Building Society offers business current accounts as part of its regional commercial banking proposition, alongside online and mobile banking.

Cumberland also supports a Xero direct bank feed for business current account customers.

As a mutual building society, it does not invest members’ deposits in stock markets in the same way shareholder-owned banks do. It also donates a proportion of profits to charity and has committed to carbon neutrality targets.

Accounts come with a debit card, online banking and optional overdrafts. Monthly fees range from free to around £3-£5 depending on the account type, with introductory free banking offers available for smaller businesses.

Cumberland supports integration with accounting software such as Xero.

Best suited to: regionally based SMEs seeking local, relationship-led banking.

Top 7 ethical current accounts

4. Starling Bank

App-based Starling has become a go-to for freelancers and small businesses who want slick digital banking without a monthly fee.

The standard business account is free, includes a Mastercard debit card and offers 24/7 in-app support. It integrates smoothly with Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent, and cash can be paid in via the Post Office (for a fee). Optional add-ons – such as bookkeeping tools and multi-currency accounts – come at extra cost.

On the ethics front, Starling says it does not invest in the fossil fuel industry. Customer deposits are largely held in government securities and other high-quality liquid assets. As a branchless bank, it operates with a lower carbon footprint than traditional high street banks.

Best for: freelancers and small SMEs who want fully digital banking with clear fossil fuel exclusions – and don’t need a physical branch.

Read our full review of Starling Bank

5. Tide

Tide is a financial technology company rather than a bank, providing business accounts through its partnership with ClearBank.

It offers tiered pricing plans ranging from a free account (with per-transfer charges) to premium packages with unlimited transfers, expense cards and cashback.

Eligible deposits in the Tide Business Current Account are held with ClearBank and are FSCS protected (subject to eligibility). Tide also provides integrated invoicing, expense management and accounting software connections.

Best suited to: startups and fast-growing SMEs seeking flexible pricing and digital tools.

Top 9 ethical savings accounts

6. Reliance Bank

Reliance Bank is majority owned by The Salvation Army and focuses on lending to organisations delivering positive social impact.

Its charity and business current account includes a corporate debit card, cheque facilities and online banking access. Cash and cheque deposits can be made through NatWest and RBS branches.

There is a £7.50 monthly maintenance fee, with transaction charges applying. Online banking is available, though integration with accounting platforms is more limited than with digital challenger banks.

Online banking is available, though integration with accounting platforms is more limited than with digital challenger banks.

Best suited to: charities and socially focused businesses.

7. Monzo

Monzo positions itself as a socially responsible digital bank, stating that customer deposits are not invested in fossil fuel companies, arms manufacturers or tobacco firms.

It offers a free Lite business account and paid Pro and Team tiers with features such as tax pots, accounting integrations and multi-user access.

Some savings products are provided through third-party partner banks, so businesses wanting full transparency over end-use of funds may wish to review those providers separately.

Best suited to: sole traders and small limited companies seeking intuitive digital banking.

Read our full review of Monzo

8. Allica Bank

Allica Bank focuses on established UK SMEs with between five and 250 employees.

It excludes certain high-risk and environmentally harmful sectors from its lending and offers relationship-managed business banking alongside a fee-free current account and cashback on eligible spending.

Savings products include competitive rates on larger balances.

The bank supports accounting integrations through Open Banking connections.

Best suited to: established SMEs seeking relationship banking outside the traditional high street banks.

If you want to have a savings account, insurance policy, investment fund or mortgage from companies that do the right thing, check out our Good Eggs.

These are companies that have passed strict (independent) criteria to prove they make a positive impact – to the planet, society, and you. 

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

You share a home and a bed. You might even share a Netflix password.

But do you share the full truth about your finances?

More than eight million people in the UK are in long-term relationships but haven’t fully opened up about money, according to new research from Legal & General (L&G).

The insurer has dubbed them “financial situationships” – couples who manage life together but stop short of revealing the complete financial picture.

Sound familiar?

Its survey suggests one in four people in relationships (26 per cent) fall into this category – around 8.7 million adults. Most say they know their partner’s income (78 per cent) and monthly bills (75 per cent). But when it comes to longer-term finances, the confidence fades: 36 per cent have no clear idea how much their partner has in a pension.

On the surface, everything looks rosy. Eighty-six per cent of couples say they have a healthy approach to discussing money. Yet nearly one in five (18 per cent) admit they argue about it, while 17 per cent avoid the topic altogether.

So are we having the right conversations – or just the easy ones?

Short term chat, long term silence

It’s one thing to discuss who pays the energy bill. It’s another to ask ‘How much have you actually saved for retirement?’

The biggest blind spot is pensions. Couples seem comfortable talking about day-to-day spending but far less certain about later-life plans.

That mirrors a broader UK challenge. The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association warns that many workers are not saving enough to reach even a “moderate” standard of living in retirement. Automatic enrolment has brought millions into workplace pensions, but minimum contributions may not deliver the lifestyle people expect.

There are also structural gaps. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has shown how career breaks and part-time work – often linked to childcare – can significantly reduce lifetime earnings and pension wealth, particularly for women. If couples aren’t discussing pensions together, those disparities can quietly grow.

It’s not hard to see how a relationship can feel financially aligned in the present, yet be drifting apart in the future.

Why money rows matter

If this all sounds slightly uncomfortable, that’s because money is still one of the biggest relationship flashpoints.

The Money and Pensions Service has found that people who argue about money frequently are more likely to report low relationship satisfaction. And research from the Financial Conduct Authority links financial strain with higher levels of anxiety and poor wellbeing.

In other words, dodging the topic may feel easier in the moment, but it rarely reduces stress in the long run.

The five conversations worth having

L&G highlights five discussions couples should have. They’re not revolutionary, but they are revealing.

Income and money mindset.
Do you both know what the other takes home after tax? What debts or family commitments are in the mix? Are you a cautious saver paired with a relaxed spender?

Shared goals.
Are you both saving for the same things – a home, a wedding, children, early retirement – and on the same timeline?

Splitting costs.
Is 50/50 genuinely fair if incomes differ? Would contributing proportionally leave both partners with similar breathing space?

Life changes.
What happens financially if one of you takes parental leave, changes career or faces redundancy?

Pensions and retirement.
Are you both contributing? And have you ever talked about what “later life” actually looks like for you?

If you’re wincing slightly, you’re not alone. These aren’t always romantic chats. But they are foundational ones.

Financial intimacy is built, not assumed

A “financial situationship” might sound playful, but the consequences aren’t. Without transparency, couples can slide into unequal arrangements, under-save for the future or leave one partner exposed if circumstances change.

This doesn’t mean merging every account or interrogating each other’s spending. It means knowing the broad shape of your shared financial life.

So here’s the real Valentine’s question: if you’re planning a future together, do you actually know what that future costs?

In an era of high living costs and economic uncertainty, financial clarity is less about candlelight and more about resilience.

Green and ‘sustainable’ funds are now mainstream across most DIY investment platforms – the harder part is working out which options are genuinely aligned with your values (and transparent about how they invest), and which are mostly marketing. Platform charges matter too: over time, fees can make a bigger dent in returns than many investors expect.

A stocks and shares ISA lets you invest tax-free up to the annual ISA allowance (£20,000 in the 2025/26 tax year), and you have until 5 April 2026 to use this year’s allowance. You can also invest up to £9,000 a year into a Junior ISA (JISA) for a child under 18.

To get started, you simply open an account online with your chosen platform, add money either as a lump sum or regular contribution, and select the funds or ready-made portfolios you want to invest in.

Here are seven platforms where you can go green with your Stocks and Shares ISA (listed alphabetically):

AJ Bell

Annual fee: 0.25% (shares account charge capped at £3.50 per month; fund charges tiered)
Minimum investment: £25 per month or £250 lump sum

AJ Bell is a well-established DIY platform that’s particularly popular with investors who like to choose their own funds and keep costs competitive.

You’ll find a wide range of funds, ETFs and shares, including many responsible and sustainable investment options. Its platform charge for Stocks and Shares ISAs is 0.25 per cent, with the custody fee for shares capped at £3.50 per month. Fund holdings are charged 0.25 per cent on the first £250,000, falling to 0.10 per cent on the next £250,000 and zero above that.

As well as Stocks and Shares ISAs, AJ Bell also offers a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA and dealing account – – useful if you like keeping your investments under one roof.

The Big Exchange

Annual fee: 0.25% service/administration fee (plus underlying fund manager charges)
Minimum investment: £25 per month or £100 lump sum

Co-founded by The Big Issue, The Big Exchange only lists funds designed to deliver a positive environmental or social impact.

Funds are rated against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (“Global Goals”), with each awarded a gold, silver or bronze rating depending on the level of impact they’re aiming to achieve. This makes it easier for investors to quickly see how their money could be making a difference – and to focus on the issues they care about most.

You can start investing from £25 a month or a £100 lump sum, making it one of the more accessible impact-focused platforms.

Hargreaves Lansdown

Annual fee: 0.35 per cent (from March 2026)
Minimum investment: Varies depending on investment type

Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) is the UK’s largest DIY investment platform, offering a huge range of funds and research tools alongside a growing selection of responsible investment options.

From March 2026 its annual account charge on Stocks and Shares ISAs will fall from 0.45 per cent to 0.35 per cent on the first £250,000 of investments.

HL’s curated fund lists and detailed research can be particularly useful if you want guidance and analysis while still making your own investment decisions.

When it comes to your savings, the old adage “If nothing changes, nothing changes” still rings true.

If you keep leaving your money where it is, you’ll keep getting the same disappointing returns – while big banks quietly profit from your loyalty.

New research by TotallyMoney and Moneycomms shows the UK’s biggest high street banks are paying savers an average of just 1.29 per cent interest on easy access accounts, despite much better deals being available elsewhere. With inflation running at 3.4 per cent, that means millions of people are effectively watching their savings shrink in real terms.

And there’s another uncomfortable truth: many of the banks offering the lowest rates are also among the biggest funders of fossil fuels and other environmentally destructive industries.

So if your money is stuck in a poor-paying account, it’s not just bad for your finances – it could also be helping to fuel climate breakdown.

Loyalty doesn’t pay

According to the latest figures, someone with the average UK savings pot of £17,365 could earn £714 a year with a top easy access account paying 4.11 per cent. But if that same saver keeps their money in a low-paying account, they would earn just £149 – a difference of £565 every year. Yet more than a third of people haven’t switched savings accounts in five years, and more than a quarter have never switched at all.

Big banks depend on this inertia. They know many customers won’t check their rates, won’t compare alternatives, and won’t move, even when it’s costing them hundreds of pounds.

The Big Five: low returns, high climate impact

The “Big Five” banks – Barclays, NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds and Santander – are paying an average of just over one per cent on easy access savings. That’s less than a third of what’s available from the best providers.

These same banks are consistently named among the world’s biggest financiers of oil, gas and coal projects. So while they offer savers some of the poorest returns on the market, they continue to pour billions into industries driving the climate crisis.

If you care about both your money and the planet, that’s a problem.

Some of the lowest-paying savings accounts

The new research highlights a number of easy access accounts offering particularly poor value. These are:

TSB – Easy Saver
1.10 per cent

Barclays – Everyday Saver
1.06 per cent

Santander – Limited Access Saver
1.00 per cent

Halifax – Everyday Saver
0.90 per cent

Lloyds Bank – Easy Saver
0.90 per cent

TSB – Save Well (one withdrawal)
0.50 per cent

Across the 20 lowest-paying easy access accounts, the average rate is just 0.86 per cent. At that level, your money is losing value in real terms. For example, £1,000 saved at 0.86 per cent earns just £8.60 a year. The same £1,000 at 4.11 per cent earns £41. Over time, that difference adds up.

You don’t have to choose between ethics and earnings

The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice decent returns to save sustainably. Ethical banks and building societies avoid investing in fossil fuels, weapons and other harmful industries – and many now offer competitive rates.

Here are some of the top-paying UK ethical savings accounts in 2026.

Top-paying ethical easy access savings accounts

1. Leeds Building Society – Online Access Saver

3.96 per cent

Why is it ethical? As a mutual, Leeds does not invest in fossil fuels and runs all its buildings on renewable electricity. It says fairness and transparency are at the heart of its business.

2. Yorkshire Building Society – Easy Access Saver

3.9 per cent

Why is it ethical? Yorkshire is a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking and measures and reports on its environmental and social impact.

3. Zero – Planet Safe Saver

3.4 per cent

Why is it ethical? Zero is a certified B Corp focused on transparency and low environmental impact. Its GreenScore® tool helps customers reduce their carbon footprint.

4. Tandem Bank – Easy Access

3.40 per cent (with top-up rate)

Why is it ethical? Tandem guarantees that savings are not used to fund fossil fuel extraction. Instead, money supports lending for energy-efficient home improvements.

5. Nationwide Building Society – Flex Instant Saver

2.30 per cent (12 months)

As a mutual, Nationwide reinvests profits for members rather than shareholders and is less exposed to high-risk, unsustainable lending.

6. Ecology Building Society – Easy Access

2.50 per cent

Why is it ethical? Ecology uses savers’ money to fund eco-homes and green renovations. It is a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ company.

7. Triodos Bank – Online Saver Plus

Up to 2.20 per cent

Why is it ethical? Triodos is widely regarded as the gold standard in ethical banking. It publishes every loan it makes and finances only positive-impact projects.

8. Skipton Building Society – Easy Access Saver

2.05 per cent

Why is it ethical? Skipton does not invest in fossil fuels and offsets more emissions than its operations produce.

9. Co-operative Bank – Online Saver

2.06 per cent

Why is it ethical? The Co-op has a customer-led ethical policy covering climate, labour rights and weapons, although its ownership history has raised questions in the past.

Your money is protected

Some people worry that moving away from big high street banks is risky. It isn’t. Under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per person is protected – whether your account is with a major bank or a small building society. So you can switch with confidence.

How to take control of your savings

If you’re not sure what rate you’re getting:

• Check your banking app
• Look at your latest statement
• Search your provider’s website

It takes mere minutes – and could earn you hundreds of pounds a year.

Before switching, always check:

• Withdrawal limits
• Temporary “bonus” rates
• Any penalties in the small print

Some “easy access” accounts reduce your rate if you make too many withdrawals.

A powerful money move

If your savings are earning less than inflation, you’re going backwards. If they’re sitting with banks that underpay savers and overfund fossil fuels, you’re paying twice.

Switching is one of the easiest financial changes you can make, and one of the most powerful.

It’s better for your wallet.
Better for your values.
And better for the planet.

And remember: if you don’t need your savings for at least five years, investing may offer higher long-term returns – although your capital is at risk.

January has a funny way of sharpening our focus. Once you cut through the “New Year, New You” chorus that bombards us at this time of year, there’s a quieter question that deserves some attention: am I actually set up if life throws a curveball?

We check our bank balances, tweak our budgets, maybe even promise ourselves we’ll finally get round to sorting our pensions. But when it comes to the parts of our finances designed for life’s bigger shocks, many of us still look the other way.

Life insurance is usually top of that list. And it’s understandable. Thinking about death isn’t exactly uplifting – but there is a different way to look at it. Life insurance isn’t about worst-case scenarios.. it’s about love, care and responsibility. It’s about making sure the people you care about aren’t left dealing with grief and financial stress at the same time.

That’s why we’ve created The Good Guide to Life Insurance, sponsored by ethical financial planners EQ Investors.

This short guide breaks down how life insurance actually works (in plain English), how much cover you might realistically need, and what affects the cost. We look at the different types of policies and how life insurance fits into a bigger financial plan. Crucially, we also dig into something that rarely gets talked about with insurance, and that’s ethics.

Because if you’re thinking carefully about where your money goes when you bank or invest, it makes sense to ask the same questions of your insurance. Some insurers invest heavily in fossil fuels or arms. Others are making real efforts to do better. No provider is perfect, but there are meaningful differences.

We also tackle common mistakes (buying too little cover, forgetting to review it, relying solely on work benefits), and explain when and why it’s worth checking your policy still does what you think it does. Life insurance doesn’t need to be complicated, expensive or depressing. But you do need to be intentional about it.

If you have people who rely on you such as a partner, children, parents, or even just shared financial commitments, this is one of the strongest and most caring money moves you can make.

So if fresh finances are on your mind this year, start here.

Download the Good Guide to Life Insurance here.

What is an ethical bank?

When you put money into a bank or building society, it doesn’t just sit there. It’s used to fund loans – and sometimes investments – that generate profit.

With many high street banks, that can include financing fossil fuels, deforestation or other harmful industries.

Ethical banks and building societies take a different approach. They aim to:

• Avoid lending to harmful sectors (such as fossil fuels, arms and tobacco)
• Be transparent about where money goes
• Prioritise lending that supports society and the environment
• Balance profit with positive impact

For savers, switching banks is one of the simplest “set-and-forget” ways to align your money with your values.

At-a-glance comparison

Purpose-led ethical banks

These providers are built specifically around ethical or impact-led banking.

Triodos Bank

• What’s on offer? Current accounts, savings and ISAs
• Ethical approach: Funds renewable energy, social housing, education and charities. Explicitly avoids fossil fuels and harmful sectors
• Fee: £3/month current account
• Overdrafts: Not offered

Triodos is one of the clearest examples of a bank designed entirely around positive impact. It holds the Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ mark.

Unity Trust Bank

• What’s on offer? Accounts for charities and organisations (no personal banking)
• Ethical approach: Lending focused on affordable housing, healthcare and community services

Not for individuals — but a key part of the UK’s ethical finance ecosystem. A Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ firm.

Ecology Building Society

• What’s on offer? Savings and mortgages
• Ethical approach: Funds sustainable homes and community projects
• Standout feature: Mortgage rate discounts for improving energy efficiency

Another Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ firm focused on climate-positive housing.

Charity Bank

• What’s on offer? Savings accounts and loans
• Ethical approach: Deposits fund loans to charities and social enterprises
• Ownership: Owned by charitable foundations and trusts

Your savings are directly linked to social impact lending.

Reliance Bank

• What’s on offer? Current and savings accounts
• Ethical approach: Supports social housing, charities and community projects
• Background: Founded by The Salvation Army

A strong option for those prioritising social impact over purely environmental criteria.

Values-led mainstream alternatives

These providers aren’t purely ethical banks but offer stronger policies or structures than traditional high street banks.

The Co-operative Bank

• What’s on offer? Full everyday banking
• Ethical approach: Longstanding customer-led Ethical Policy (since 1992)
• Update: Now part of Coventry Building Society

A familiar name for ethical banking, now backed by a mutual group structure.

Coventry Building Society

• What’s on offer? Savings and mortgages
• Ethical angle: Member-owned (mutual model)
• Notable: First UK building society to become a B Corp

Nationwide Building Society

• What’s on offer? Current accounts, savings, mortgages
• Ethical angle: Mutual ownership (profits go to members)
• Example: £100 Fairer Share Payment to millions of members

Gatehouse Bank

• What’s on offer? Savings and home finance
• Ethical approach: Shariah-compliant (avoids arms, alcohol, gambling, tobacco – not fossil fuels)
• Green feature: Carbon offsetting on some home finance products

Tandem Bank

• What’s on offer? Savings and mortgages
• Ethical approach: Positions itself as a greener bank
• Key claim: Does not fund fossil fuels

Starling Bank

• What’s on offer? Current and business accounts
• Ethical approach: Excludes certain harmful sectors including fossil fuels and arms

Realism check: Like many digital banks, Starling has external investors – which some ethical consumers may want to consider.

How to choose an ethical bank

Not all “ethical” banks are the same. Key things to look for include:

• Where your money is lent (not just invested)
• Clear exclusions (e.g. fossil fuels, arms)
• Transparency about lending and impact
• Ownership structure (mutual vs shareholder-owned)
• Certifications (such as the Good Egg mark or B Corp)

Is switching to an ethical bank worth it?

Switching your bank won’t solve climate change overnight. But it does:

• Redirect your money away from harmful industries
• Support organisations doing positive work
• Send a signal to the wider banking sector

For most people, it’s one of the simplest ways to make their money “do more” without changing how they spend or save.

Which ethical bank is best in the UK?

Ethical banking in the UK has grown significantly, but there’s still a spectrum.

• At one end: fully purpose-led banks like Triodos and Charity Bank
• In the middle: mutuals and values-led providers
• At the other: traditional banks with limited ethical restrictions

The right choice depends on how far you want your money to go — not just financially, but in the real world.

Each year, UK savers can invest up to £20,000 tax-free through their ISA allowance. For most people, that tends to mean choosing between the familiar options: cash ISAs, stocks and shares ISAs or lifetime ISAs.

But there’s another kind of ISA that is catching the attention of people who want their money to do more than sit passively in a portfolio or savings account.

The Ethex Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) lets you put some or all of your ISA allowance to work funding organisations with a clear social and/or environmental mission. Investors receive tax-free potential returns, just like any other ISA, but their money is invested directly into businesses tackling urgent issues such as climate change, financial exclusion or community infrastructure.

And appetite for a nicer kind of ISA is growing. In 2025, over £1 million was transferred into the Ethex IFISA from other ISA providers, up from just over £680,000 the year before. It’s a significant jump, suggesting that more savers are waking up to the idea that their tax-free investments can contribute to real-world impact, not just financial outcomes.

Direct investing to tackle real problems

The last decade has made the stakes impossible to ignore. The climate crisis is not a distant risk; schools, households and public services are all feeling the impact of rising energy costs. At the same time, millions of financially underserved people in the UK are being pushed towards high-cost credit when unexpected expenses arise, deepening cycles of hardship and stress.

While policy change is essential, so is capital. Many of the organisations developing the solutions our communities need lack access to the funding they need to scale and grow, which is where the IFISA provides a valuable bridge.

Through Ethex, retail investors can choose IFISA-eligible bonds that directly support mission-led organisations, enabling everyday investors to be part of the funding mix that scales practical innovations.

The IFISA in action

Today, two organisations currently raising IFISA-eligible investment on Ethex illustrate the range of problems individual savers can help address:

1. Salad: tackling financial exclusion

An estimated 12 million people in the UK have poor or insufficient credit histories, leaving them locked out of mainstream credit and exposed to high-cost lenders. Salad provides fair and affordable loans to NHS and public sector workers, using open banking rather than traditional credit scoring to make underwriting fairer.

By investing via the IFISA, savers can support a business that is actively reducing reliance on payday loans, improving financial resilience and challenging a system that routinely penalises low-income workers.

2. Solar for Schools: accelerating the shift to renewables

On the other end of the spectrum is the transition to clean energy. Solar for Schools installs solar panels on schools across the UK and internationally, cutting carbon emissions while helping schools bring down their electricity bills and educate students about the future of energy.

It’s a model that supports climate action, financial savings for schools and environmental education creating a triple win, enabled in part by individual investors investing their ISA allowance.

Making better use of your tax-free allowance

The important thing about the IFISA is that it doesn’t ask people to sacrifice their financial goals to create positive change, it just redirects ISA investments toward impact. Unused ISA allowance disappears at the end of the tax year in April, and more people are now considering using it to support the kind of world they want to see. Others are choosing to transfer existing ISAs from previous years, recognising that their allowance could be actively funding solutions rather than sitting dormant.

With new IFISA-eligible bonds launching on Ethex soon, investors will have even more opportunities to align their tax-free investment choices with the outcomes society desperately needs.

A simple question for the 25/26 tax year

If you’re planning to use your ISA allowance (or considering transferring existing ISA balances), it’s worth asking a different kind of question this year: What is my money doing to create positive change? Because with the Ethex IFISA, it could be helping to tackle real problems and working towards a fairer, greener future, all while earning a potential tax-free return.

Find out more about the Ethex IFISA here: https://www.ethex.org.uk/ifisa

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.

The start of a new year often comes with big, sweeping financial resolutions. Save thousands, overhaul your budget, and generally just “get on top of everything”. But for many of us, that kind of pressure just isn’t realistic.

The good news is that you don’t need a dramatic money makeover to make meaningful progress. Sometimes it’s the small, almost invisible changes that make the biggest difference over time – and that’s where auto-savings apps come in.

If you’re trying to build a buffer in 2026 without feeling deprived, these apps can help you put money aside little and often, largely on autopilot.

How auto-savings apps work

Auto-savings apps link to your bank account and use technology to help you save without constant decision-making. Most will:

• Analyse your spending to estimate what you can afford to save
• Automatically move small amounts into a separate savings pot
• Round up your card purchases and save the spare change

By setting aside modest amounts regularly, you can build a useful pot without having to think about it every day. If money is tight one month, you can usually pause, reduce or withdraw your savings – which makes these apps more flexible than traditional standing orders.

One important thing to remember: the convenience is the main benefit. Interest rates on app-based savings can often be beaten elsewhere, so once you’ve built up a pot, it may make sense to move it to a higher-paying – and more sustainable – savings account.

Our top auto-savings apps for 2026

Below are three of the most popular options, with a look at how they work, what they cost and where to be cautious.

Moneybox

Moneybox is one of the best-known auto-savings apps in the UK, built around the simple idea of rounding up your spending and saving the difference.

Once you connect a bank account, Moneybox can round transactions up to the nearest pound and move the spare change into your “digital moneybox”. You can automate this fully or choose when to transfer the money yourself. Moneybox offers a range of cash savings accounts, including easy-access, notice accounts and a Cash ISA, as well as investment products such as a Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP.

Savings held with Moneybox as savings are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000.

The good stuff

The app is well designed and easy to navigate, making it a good option if you’re new to saving or investing. Customer service scores are generally strong, and Moneybox offers ESG-labelled investment options for those who want to consider sustainability alongside returns. That said, information about the underlying ESG funds is fairly high-level, so if you like to dig into detailed holdings and exclusions, you may find this limiting.

What’s the cost?

There are no fees for Moneybox’s cash savings accounts. Investment products come with platform and fund fees, which are clearly listed in the app.

Plum

Plum is designed to take even more of the thinking out of saving. It connects to your bank account and uses algorithms to analyse your income and spending, then automatically sets aside what it thinks you can afford.

You can also enable round-ups, set savings challenges, or create themed rules, such as saving every time you shop at certain retailers.

Plum lets you organise your money into different “pockets” for specific goals. Some pockets hold cash in FSCS-protected savings accounts, while others place your money into low-risk money market funds, which are investments rather than traditional savings. Plum also offers Stocks and Shares ISAs and SIPPs, including ESG-focused fund options.

The good stuff

Plum is particularly good if you struggle with consistency. Features like the £1 challenge, “rainy day” saving and automated weekly deposits can make saving feel more like a game than a chore.

It also gives users access to sustainable investment funds, though some of its cash and investment products rely on large asset managers that have faced criticism over greenwashing – something ethically minded savers may want to consider.

What’s the cost?

Plum has a free basic tier that includes automated saving and one interest-earning pocket. Paid plans unlock more features and higher rates, but they come with monthly fees – so it’s worth checking whether the extras are actually worth the cost for you.

Chip

Chip uses similar technology to Plum, analysing your spending to calculate how much you can afford to save automatically. The app offers a mix of instant-access savings, prize-linked savings and a Cash ISA, alongside investment options.

Chip is particularly popular with people who like to keep everything – saving and investing – in one place.

The good stuff

Chip’s interface is straightforward, and the app makes it easy to start saving with very little effort. The prize savings account can also appeal if you like the idea of a lottery-style incentive without risking your capital. However, many of Chip’s investment products are run through large global fund managers, which may not align with everyone’s values on sustainability.

What’s the cost?

Chip can be used for free, but some features – such as recurring or automated saves – come with small per-use charges. There’s also a premium subscription that removes these fees, which may or may not be good value depending on how often you save.

Other options to consider

You don’t necessarily need a separate app to save automatically. Several banks and building societies – including Starling, Monzo Nationwide and Tandem – offer round-up savings features built directly into their current accounts.

These can be a simpler option if you want fewer apps to manage, though they usually come with less automation and fewer nudges than dedicated savings tools.

As 2025 draws to a close, many of us start thinking about what we want to do differently with our money. With household budgets stretched tighter than ever, money-related goals are high on our lists.

New research suggests that nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of people plan to make at least one financial resolution this year. Saving more is the most popular goal, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) saying it’s their top priority for 2026. Others want to spend less, get on top of their finances, pay down debts, invest more, boost pension contributions or finally make a will.

Women are more likely than men to make financial resolutions, while younger adults, parents and higher earners are also particularly motivated to make changes.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, says the new year often brings a sense of financial optimism. She said: “It’s the time of year where optimism is running high. We don’t need to be the person we were last year: we can be a shiny new version of ourselves. Sadly, that positive outlook doesn’t always last, which is why it’s worth taking steps to make these pledges stick.”

Who is most likely to make resolutions?

Parents are especially likely to set financial goals, often driven by the strain of balancing everyday costs with saving for the future. With little left over at the end of the month, many are keen to improve resilience and avoid neglecting long-term needs such as pensions.

Women are more likely than men to focus on saving more and spending less, possibly reflecting lower average incomes and fewer financial buffers.

Higher earners are also more resolution-focused, often looking to make their money work harder through investing or pension saving. However, they may also carry larger debts and face higher expectations for their retirement lifestyle.

Younger adults are the most likely of all to make financial resolutions. When you’re starting out, there are more gaps to close – and small steps taken early can make a big difference over time.

Five ways to make financial resolutions stick

Be specific
Vague goals rarely work. Identify exactly what you want to change and where.

Pay yourself first
Move money into savings, investments or a pension as soon as you’re paid, rather than relying on leftovers.

Automate it 
Direct debits remove the need for willpower and help turn intentions into habits.

Free up the cash
Review spending and make specific cuts to fund new financial habits.

Put it in the diary
For one-off jobs like making a will, setting a date makes action far more likely.

Financial resolutions don’t need to be dramatic to be effective. Often, it’s small, well-planned changes that quietly add up over the year ahead.

Getting your money back on track – for you and the planet

If one of your resolutions is to improve your finances, switching to providers that align with your values can be a simple place to start. All of the companies below are Good Eggs, meaning they’ve been independently assessed to show they deliver positive outcomes for both your pocket and the planet.

• Banking and savings: Triodos Bank, Unity Trust Bank and Ecology Building Society focus on lending that supports social and environmental good, rather than harmful industries.
• Pensions and investing: PensionBee can help bring old pensions together, while Thrive Renewables offers a way to invest directly in clean energy projects.
• Financial planning: Path Financial, Switchfoot Wealth and EQ Investors all offer values-led financial planning, helping people align pensions, investments and long-term goals with their principles.

You don’t need to change everything at once. One switch, one conversation or one better-aligned decision can be enough to get your money – and your impact – back on track.

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about what our bank is doing to the planet. But a new analysis from responsible investment group ShareAction shows why perhaps we should.

Europe’s biggest banks – including several major UK names – are not just failing to act on climate change, they’re in some cases moving backwards, even as extreme weather pushes up food prices, damages homes and puts pressure on household finances across the continent.

ShareAction assessed the 25 biggest European banks on their climate strategies, their treatment of nature and biodiversity, and their respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights. The results are sobering.

Only four banks scored above 50 per cent: BNP Paribas, Crédit Mutuel, La Banque Postale and Rabobank. The average score was just 41 per cent, with UBS (25 per cent) and Deutsche Bank (27 per cent) propping up the bottom.

For UK consumers, several of the most disappointing findings sit close to home. HSBC, NatWest and Santander – three of the country’s biggest high-street names – have all weakened commitments to shift finance away from high-polluting clients.

That means they are now less ambitious than they were just a year or two ago. For banks that love to advertise their sustainability credentials, this slide is significant.

Barclays, meanwhile, scored just 35 per cent overall, placing it firmly in the lower half of the table. Despite years of public pressure over its fossil fuel financing, it still hasn’t put in place the kind of robust fossil-fuel restrictions that climate scientists say are essential.

Fossil fuel finance: still far off what the science demands

One of the clearest messages from the report is that fossil-fuel policies remain nowhere near aligned with climate science. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has been clear: no new oil and gas fields should be developed if we are to limit catastrophic global heating. But only four of the 25 banks assessed fully exclude financing for companies pursuing new oil and gas projects.

This is not a niche technical issue – it is the bare minimum required to keep climate goals alive. Even more concerning is that expansion of oil and gas infrastructure is still being funded with few meaningful checks.

Only four banks rule out finance for liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, despite IEA warnings of future oversupply risks. Fewer than half restrict financing for pipelines and other fossil fuel infrastructure. For UK customers hoping that their banks are helping steer us towards a cleaner, cheaper energy system, this will feel like a let-down.

Sustainable finance targets: ambition going backwards

ShareAction also found that five banks that have set new sustainable finance targets since May 2024 have actually reduced their level of ambition. In other words, they could meet these targets while providing less sustainable finance each year. It is a long way from the leadership that the climate crisis demands.

Why this matters for your money

ShareAction’s Head of Financial Sector Research, Xavier Lerin, said: “Banks have a crucial role to play in steering the economy through the challenges being thrown up by the climate crisis. Yet instead of leadership, most banks are slowing down their progress on climate and a concerning minority are even backsliding.”

For consumers, this isn’t just about ethics, it’s about financial risk. The longer banks cling to fossil fuel expansion, the greater the danger of stranded assets, instability and losses. Regulators are being urged to step in by requiring credible transition plans and updating capital rules to reflect the high risks attached to fossil-fuel investments.

What you can do

Good With Money readers have power. If you bank with HSBC, NatWest, Santander or Barclays, this is the moment to ask where your money spends the night.. and whether it’s funding the future you want. Switching to a bank with stronger climate policies, or using your voice as a customer to demand better, can send a signal that backsliding won’t go unnoticed.

The climate crisis is accelerating. Europe’s biggest banks should be too. For now, far too many are hitting the brakes just when they should be stepping up.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing at remarkable speed, with the potential to reshape the economy in ways we’ve not seen since the birth of the internet. 

But as investment pours in and the technology embeds itself across every corner of society, a key question remains: will AI ultimately be good for us?

The truth is that AI brings enormous opportunities, along with serious risks. Understanding both sides of the equation will be crucial as the technology continues its rapid growth.

The positive potential of AI

Used well, AI could significantly improve productivity and efficiency across many industries, from manufacturing to finance. By taking over repetitive or dangerous tasks, AI can free people to focus on more creative, complex or meaningful work.

AI is also proving a powerful tool for scientific discovery. Because it can analyse vast datasets at speed, it is already helping researchers identify new patterns and insights – including in medicine. 

More advanced algorithms can sift through mountains of medical information to spot disease markers and help doctors make more accurate diagnoses, improving treatment and outcomes.

Education is another area with huge promise. AI-powered tools can tailor learning to each student’s needs and pace, supporting those who might otherwise struggle in a traditional classroom.

In short, AI has the potential to enhance many aspects of daily life, from healthcare to learning to workplace productivity.

The risks and unintended consequences

But AI’s rise also brings serious concerns. At the extreme end, some experts warn of a long-term risk to humanity from superintelligent systems if they are not tightly controlled. More immediately, though, the risks that matter most involve jobs, energy use and the misuse of the technology.

Job disruption – and not just manual roles

AI has long been associated with replacing manual or low-skill jobs. Now, however, it is moving rapidly into white-collar professions. Software development is a striking example: a sector once struggling with labour shortages is suddenly seen as one of the most exposed to AI-driven change.

As AI becomes capable of handling more complex tasks, many office-based roles may become more commoditised, creating economic and social challenges that governments and employers will need to address.

AI’s growing carbon footprint

The environmental impact of AI is also significant. Data centres – the infrastructure powering AI – currently account for around 1.5 per cent of global electricity use, a figure expected to double within five years. This makes the energy source powering these centres a vital issue.

Cyber security threats

Meanwhile, AI is increasingly being deployed by criminals. Whether it’s sophisticated fraud, identity theft or attempts to destabilise institutions, AI can dramatically raise the scale and speed of cyber attacks.

Concentration of power

Although AI is often talked about as a democratising force, it risks concentrating even more power in a small number of global tech companies. That imbalance could have profound social and economic implications.

Nuanced impacts: when risks don’t play out as expected

Some concerns may evolve more positively than anticipated. In radiology, for example, early forecasts predicted widespread job losses. Instead, AI is improving productivity and allowing specialists to focus on patient-facing work.

On energy, while AI’s electricity demand is rising, much new data-centre capacity is being built around renewables simply because they are now the cheapest and quickest options. Solar paired with battery storage increasingly meets operators’ needs for fast deployment, reliability and low carbon impact.

The need for stronger governance and ethical oversight

One of the clearest gaps in AI today is governance. Research from the Thomson Reuters Foundation found that only one in five companies has any form of ethical framework for how they develop or use AI. Given the scale of change ahead, this is nowhere near enough.

Investors and consumers alike will increasingly expect companies to put robust safeguards in place. Engagement with AI-driven businesses is already beginning, but the sector has a long way to go.

Balancing opportunity and risk

AI is one of the most transformative technologies of our time. Like the internet before it, it has the capacity to deliver extraordinary benefits, but also to cause harm if left unchecked.

The challenge now is to ensure that AI develops in a way that supports society, protects the environment and spreads its benefits fairly. Getting this balance right will define how much AI enhances – or undermines – our future.

As we head into the colder months, most of us will start to feel our energy use creep up – longer heating hours, more hot water, and appliances working harder to keep homes comfortable.

And while bills aren’t at the extremes seen in 2023, they remain well above pre-crisis levels and are expected to rise again in January. With household budgets under pressure, now is a good moment to cut energy waste where you can – and the steps that save you money are often the same ones that help shrink your home’s carbon footprint.

Find your home’s EPC rating and personalised recommendations for making it greener

Here are six key retrofit steps that make a real difference:

1. Find out how energy efficient your home is

Your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is the easiest starting point. It shows how much energy your home typically uses and recommends upgrades tailored to your property type. Even if you’re not planning to sell, it’s a handy roadmap that helps you prioritise work and estimate savings.

2. Make the easy, low cost upgrades first

• Some of the biggest wins take just a weekend:
• Swap any remaining traditional or halogen bulbs for LEDs – they use up to 80 per cent less electricity.
• Install a smart thermostat and set your heating to match your household routine.
• Use smart plugs or timers to avoid unnecessary overnight appliance use.
• When replacing appliances, choose the highest energy rating you can afford – modern A-rated models use far less power over their lifetime.
• These changes can trim bills straightaway without major renovation.

3. Upgrade windows and doors

Single-glazed windows leak heat fast. Replacing them with A-rated double or triple glazing can significantly improve comfort and reduce draughts. If new windows aren’t in the budget, look into secondary glazing. It’s a cheaper, effective option that adds an extra insulating layer to what you already have. Draught-proofing letterboxes and door frames is another low-cost fix with quick payback.

4. Insulate, insulate, insulate!

Insulation remains the biggest bang for your buck.

Walls: If your home has cavity walls, insulating them is relatively simple and cost-effective. Solid walls need internal or external insulation, which is pricier but transformative for heat retention.

Loft/roof:
The recommended insulation depth is at least 270mm. Topping up a half-filled loft can save hundreds of pounds over a few winters and cut carbon too. It’s one of the easiest upgrades to tackle.

Floors:
Around eight per cent of heat can disappear through an uninsulated floor. Suspended timber floors can usually be insulated from below, while solid floors can take a layer of rigid insulation when refurbished.

5. Install renewable energy systems

Solar panels remain one of the most popular home upgrades – and with electricity prices still volatile, generating your own power can be a real buffer against bill shocks. Thanks to the Smart Export Guarantee, you can earn money for unused electricity exported back to the grid.

6. Switch to a low or no-carbon heating system

Air-source and ground-source heat pumps are increasingly common alternatives to gas boilers and can dramatically cut your household emissions. Government grants remain available to help with installation costs. If a heat pump isn’t right for your property just yet, upgrading an old G-rated boiler to a modern A-rated condensing model will still reduce energy use and emissions while keeping your home warm.

Find out how to make YOUR home greener – and exactly how much it could save you

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With the base interest rate tipped to fall, talk of a brewing “mortgage war” is intensifying. And while ethical lenders won’t always appear at the very top of the cheapest buy tables, many now offer competitive rates with the added benefit that your borrowing supports people and planet rather than undermining them.

A mortgage is likely to be the biggest financial commitment we ever make, yet many high street banks still invest in sectors such as fossil fuels, weapons and deforestation. Choosing a responsible lender means your monthly payments work harder – not only for your home, but for wider social and environmental good.

Despite recent rate rises making affordability tougher, ethical providers are stepping up with a range of strong deals. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, remortgager, self-builder or planning green home improvements, there are options that balance fair pricing with meaningful impact. Some even offer discounted rates for energy-efficient homes and renovations.

Here are six Good picks.

Ecology Building Society 

Eco Home: Variable rate of 4.19 per cent with a 20 per cent deposit.

Eco reward mortgage (existing members): 3.99 per cent with a 20 per cent deposit.

Renovation: Variable rate of 4.99 per cent with a 20 per cent deposit or 5.79 per cent with a 10 per cent deposit.

Residential self-build: Variable rate of 5.69 per cent with a 35 per cent deposit.

Community living: Variable rate of 5.34 per cent with a 10 per cent deposit.

If you’re borrowing for a project that is a little different, Ecology Building Society (a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ firm) specialises in properties outside the mainstream. These include self-build mortgages for non-standard but energy-efficient construction, energy-efficient renovations, moorings for houseboats and loans for buying woodland.

With a standard variable rate from 4.3 per cent for eco-friendly homes, Ecology won’t compare with the very cheapest rates on the market. But mortgages for non-standard properties are typically more expensive than the norm. The good thing is, once your property is complete, the rate is typically discounted by up to 1.50 per cent according to the energy savings you are making.

So if you’re building a wattle and daub house or want to make a listed building more energy efficient, Ecology will consider your project without taking what it calls a ‘tick box’ approach.

The mortgages are funded through members’ savings accounts.

Good For: Selfbuilders, energy improvers, homes that promote sustainable living

A Good Egg: Ecology Building Society

Coventry Building Society

Remortgaging: Fixed rate to 31.05.28 at 3.97 per cent with a 35 per cent deposit (£999 product fee) or 4.02 per cent with a 25 per cent deposit (£999 product fee) to 31.05.28

First-time buyers: Fixed rate to 31.05.28 at 3.92 per cent with a 35 per cent deposit (£999 product fee) or 3.97 per cent with a 25 per cent deposit (£999 product fee)

Coventry Building Society is currently the only building society to have achieved B Corp status. B Corp is a globally recognised certification for companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency, and are run for the benefit of all people, communities, and the planet.

Its rates are competitive too.

Good for: Those remortgaging or first-time buyers with a decent deposit

Suffolk Building Society

Remortgaging and first-time buyers: Two-year fixed rate at 4.95 per cent with a 20 per cent deposit (£199 application fee/ £999 completion fee)

Remortgaging and first-time buyers: Five-year fixed rate at 5.15 per cent with a 20 per cent deposit (£199 application fee/ £500 completion fee

Building societies are mutuals, which means they don’t need to make a profit for shareholders. They are owned by their customers, who have a vote in their decision making. This business model fundamentally makes building societies a more ethical option than banks (not including ethical banks such as Triodos and Charity Bank).

Smaller building societies are traditionally more able to look at customers on an individual basis, and Suffolk is proud of its roots in the community. As well as promising to consider each customer individually, it works with housing organisations across Suffolk to help address more systemic homelessness issues. The group also has a focus on financial education in schools.

Suffolk is one of the few providers to offer competitive mortgage rates for house purchases with a five per cent deposit.

Good for: First-time buyers with smaller deposits

Nationwide Building Society

Remortgaging: Two-year fixed rate at 4.08 per cent with a 20 per cent deposit (£999 fee) or five-year at fixed rate at 4 per cent with a 30 per cent deposit.

First time buyers: Two-year fixed rate at 3.87 per cent with a 30 per cent deposit (£999 fee) or five-year fixed rate at 4.04 per cent with a 30 per cent deposit (£999 fee)

Britain’s biggest mutual uses its size to offer good value products for more standard borrowers, particularly those with a decent amount of equity in their homes.

For those who do have equity or a decent deposit to put down on a first home, Nationwide’s rates are competitive.

Nationwide’s ‘Green Additional Borrowing’ scheme offers a lower initial interest rate if at least 50 per cent of the loan is used to make your home more sustainable. This includes the following measures: “air source heat pump, cavity wall insulation, double glazing/replacement windows, electric car charging point, ground source heat pumps, loft insulation, small scale wind turbine, tanks and pipes insulation.”

Good for: Borrowers with lots of equity in their homes/ first-time buyers with at least 20 per cent deposit

Co-operative Bank

Remortgaging: Two-year fixed rate at 4 per cent with 20 per cent deposit (£749 fee) or a three-year fixed rate at 4.27 per cent (£749 fee)

After its highly publicised woes in recent years and hedge fund ownership, the Co-op was last year bought by the Coventry Building Society.

Co-op Bank donates £5 to youth homelessness charity Centrepoint for every mortgage taken out.

Existing customers of the Co-op can apply for one of its Green Additional Borrowing products to help make improvements to their home that will reduce energy consumption and help tackle the climate crisis.

The Co-op Bank is not currently taking mortgage applications from new customers through its website, so if you aren’t remortgaging with them, you would need to go through a mortgage broker.

Good for: Borrowers looking to remortgage

Habito

If the mortgage market feels a bit overwhelming, Habito is an online mortgage broker that promises to take care of the entire mortgage process for you. Habito is a B-Corp company, which means it is legally committed to putting people and planet on the same level as profit. The online platform can search more than 90 lenders and 20,000 products in just a few seconds to find the right product for you.

Using Habito as a broker to find your best mortgage deal, and apply for it on your behalf, is completely free.

It also offers a ‘Habito Plus’ service where it will handle all your buying admin, including price negotiation, an in-depth property survey, conveyancing and legal work, for a fixed fee that starts at £2,000.

Good for: People wanting some expert help with finding a mortgage

If you want to have a savings account, insurance policy, investment fund or mortgage from companies that do the right thing, check out our Good Eggs.

These are companies that have passed strict (independent) criteria to prove they make a positive impact – to the planet, society, and you. 

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

“You can change without growing – but you can’t grow without changing.”

That line was shared with me recently by a financial planner, and it struck a real chord. It sums up not just a personal truth, but the journey we’ve been on as a team at EQ Investors over the last few years.

For more than a decade, my colleagues and I have been building and managing sustainable investment portfolios – both model portfolios and fully bespoke ones. Over that time, we’ve watched the world, the economy and our clients’ expectations shift dramatically.

The rise – and wobble – of enthusiasm for sustainable investing

In the years leading up to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, interest in sustainable investing surged. Financial advisers and their clients weren’t just driven by environmental or social concerns, many also saw strong financial reasons to invest this way.

But the world changed quickly. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, followed by sharp rises in interest rates, created a far tougher backdrop for sustainable portfolios. 

The types of companies and sectors that sustainable funds tend to avoid performed well, while many that they favour struggled. Returns didn’t keep pace with more traditional portfolios, and for some investors, confidence wavered.

That raised a difficult but important question: what should sustainable investing look like as it matures?

The big choice: cyclic winners or long-term resilience?

As a dedicated sustainable investment manager, we faced two clear paths:

1. We could build strategies that shine in some years and lag in others – essentially accepting big performance swings.
2. Or, we could redesign our approach so that sustainable portfolios can hold their own in a range of economic environments, aiming for returns that stay broadly in line with mainstream markets.

We chose the second option.

Why? Because if sustainable investing is ever going to scale and play a meaningful role in financing the social and environmental transition we urgently need, it can’t just work in the good times. 

It has to meet people’s financial expectations too, both in the short term and over the long haul. To us, this is sustainable investing’s “coming of age” moment. Call it Sustainable Investing 2.0: an approach that keeps purpose at the core, but pairs it with greater resilience.

Growing up, sustainably

If I’m honest, this shift hasn’t just been about investment theory, it’s felt personal too. The idea of “growing up” in how we approach sustainable investing is underscored by the below photo, which reflects the theme of learning, adapting and maturing.

That’s exactly where sustainable investing is today. It’s not about abandoning values, but about strengthening the foundations so that those values can drive long-term impact.

And if growth requires change, then that’s a challenge I’m glad we’ve embraced.

The Autumn Budget began in an unusual way when the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) leaked its report a full 20 minutes before the Chancellor’s speech. 

Although the Budget clearly protected vulnerable households from the rising cost of living, it also raised taxes for everyone else, with wealthier individuals facing the largest increases. 

Against this backdrop, the Budget delivers a frontloaded increase in spending of £9 billion and backloaded increase in taxes of £26 billion. 

The OBR predicted the tax take would increase to a record high of 38.3 per cent of GDP by 2029-30, a rise of 0.8% on an earlier March forecast. 

Here are the key points from Rachel Reeves’ second Budget:

Mansion tax to be introduced on £2 million homes 

A high value council tax surcharge of between £2,500 to £7,500 is proposed on properties worth over £2m, following a revaluation of homes in bands F, G and H.  

From April 2028, homeowners will have to pay a recurring annual charge on top of their current council tax. 

Fewer than one per cent of properties in England are expected to be above the £2 million threshold. 

The move increases concerns of a freeze in activity at the higher end of the market, affecting deals further down a chain. Rightmove data shows sales agreed for £2 million-plus homes are already down 13 per cent year-on-year.  

Tax on savings & property income to rise 

From April 2027 an additional two per cent income tax will apply to savings and property income. The rates will increase to 22 per cent, 42 per cent or 47 per cent.  

This rise will heap further pressure on individual landlords already contending with tighter regulations and the removal of various tax exemptions. 

Dividend tax hike

From April 2026, a two per cent-point increase to the basic and higher rates of tax on dividends, raising them to 10.75 per cent and 35.75 per cent respectively. The additional rate will remain unchanged at 39.35 per cent.

Tax thresholds frozen for longer 

The income tax personal allowance, the higher-rate threshold and additional-rate threshold are frozen at £12,570, £50,270 and £125,140 respectively, until 2030-31. 

As a result, the proportion of taxpayers paying either higher or additional rate tax will have increased from 15 per cent in 2021-22 to 24 per cent in 2030-31. 

National insurance thresholds for employees and self-employed will also be frozen for a further three years from April 2028 to April 2031.  

Inheritance tax thresholds will be frozen for a further year to April 2031. 

Cash ISA allowance cut to £12,000 for under-65s only 

The tax-free ISA allowance will remain at £20,000 for investments in stocks & shares products but a cap of £12,000 will apply to cash ISAs from April 2027. 

Over 65s will retain the full cash ISA allowance. 

Lifetime ISA to be scrapped 

The government will publish a consultation in early 2026 on the implementation of a ‘simpler’ product to support first time buyers to buy a home.  

Once available, this new product will replace the Lifetime ISA.   

Pledge to re-engineer EIS & VCT schemes 

The Chancellor spoke to re-engineering Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trust (VCT) schemes, so they don’t just back early-stage ideas but stay with companies as they grow. 

The government will increase the annual limit that can be invested into companies via VCT and EIS to £10m, and £20m for so-called ‘knowledge intensive companies’ (KICs), as well as increasing the lifetime company investment limit to £24m, and £40m for KICs.   

Income Tax relief on VCTs reduces from 30 per cent to 20 per cent from April 2026, whilst EIS stays at 30 per cent. 

£2,000 salary sacrifice cap confirmed 

Reeves capped the NICs exemption for salary-sacrificed pension contributions at £2,000, with employee contributions above that taxed in the same way as other earnings. This is due to come in from April 2029.   

All employer pension contributions will continue to be free of NICs. There could be opportunities to bring forward employee pension contributions before the change. 

Employees who choose to sacrifice salary to receive tax free childcare or child benefit can keep doing so.  

State pension to increase by 4.8 per cent

Those on the full new state pension will see their weekly payments go up from £230.25 to £241.30 (£12,547 a year) under the triple lock mechanism – a rise of more than £550 per year. 

The full basic state pension weekly amount will go up from £176.45 to £184.91 (£9,615 a year) – an increase of just under £440 a year. 

Agricultural property relief & business property relief 

The £1m allowance for the 100 per cent rate of agricultural property relief and business property relief will be transferable between spouses and civil partners bringing this into line with other IHT reliefs.  

New tax to be levied on electric vehicle drivers 

A new tax on electric vehicles (EVs) will apply, with EV drivers charged 3p per mile, on top of other road taxes from April 2028. 

The chancellor eased the pain slightly by extending the UK’s new electric car grant until 2030. 

The grant currently subsidises the price of a new EV by between £1,500 and £3,750 depending on the model. 

Other measures 

• From April 2026, workers over 21 will see a 4.1 per cent increase to their minimum wage, bringing it to £12.71 an hour and those aged 18 to 20 will see an 8.5 per cent increase to £10.85. 

• Fuel duty frozen for five months after April 2026, followed by a staged increase from September 2026. 

• Regulated rail fares for journeys in England frozen next year for the first time since 1996. 

• Tax on sugary drinks extended to pre-packaged milkshakes and lattes from 2028, reversing an exemption when the tax was introduced in 2018.  

• The two-child benefit cap is scrapped from April 2026. 

• A stamp duty holiday for companies newly listing on the London Stock Exchange will be in place for three years. 

• The gambling industry is going to be taxed more, to raise more than £1bn. Remote gaming duty will rise to 40 per cent from 21 per cent while online betting tax will rise from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.  

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled her first full-year Autumn Budget – a package dominated by tax rises, frozen allowances and a clear message that households, not big business, will bear much of the cost of putting the public finances back on track.

With the UK’s tax burden heading for its highest level since the 1940s, and cost-of-living pressures still biting, here’s what the Budget will mean for your finances – and where it leaves the planet.

Expect to pay more tax

Income tax and NI thresholds frozen again: The biggest single revenue-raiser is the decision to freeze income tax and national insurance thresholds until 2031. This means your tax bands stay the same even as your pay rises, dragging more workers into higher rates.

• 920,000 more people are expected to become higher-rate taxpayers by 2030.
• The freeze will raise £8.3 billion a year.
• Reeves admitted the move will “affect working people” but said it avoids “austerity or reckless borrowing”.

Higher taxes on property, savings and investment income: From 2027, tax on property income, savings interest and dividends will all rise by two percentage points. Basic-rate taxpayers will pay 22 per cent, higher rate 42 per cent and additional rate 47 per cent. A new high-value council tax surcharge arrives in 2028:

• £2,500 a year for homes worth £2m to £2.5m
• Up to £7,500 for those above £5m

Cash ISA allowance slashed: From April 2027, the annual cash ISA limit will fall from £20,000 to £12,000 (with over-65s exempt). The stocks and shares ISA limit remains £20,000.

You may take a hit on pensions and investments

Pension salary sacrifice capped: From 2029, the first £2,000 of salary-sacrifice pension contributions will remain tax-free, but anything above that will attract full NI from employees and employers. This is expected to raise £4.7bn and mainly hits higher earners.

Dividend and savings taxes rising: Dividend tax and savings income tax both increase by two percentage points, reducing returns for investors holding money outside ISAs and pensions.

Drivers face new charges

Electric vehicle tax introduced: From 2028, EV drivers will pay a new 3p-per-mile tax (1.5p for plug-in hybrids) on top of vehicle excise duty. The OBR warns this could slow the shift to low-carbon transport, but the Treasury expects it to raise £1.9bn a year by 2030.

Fuel duty frozen (again): Fuel duty is frozen until September 2026, extending a 15-year freeze. It will rise with inflation after that unless the Government intervenes.

Your energy bills may fall – for now

Reeves will abolish the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), claiming it costs families £1.7bn a year but delivers little benefit.
She says bills will fall by £150 next year as the levy moves into general taxation.

However, ECO was one of the only programmes funding insulation for low-income homes. Scrapping it may reduce bills today but risks higher energy use and emissions in the long term.

Wages and benefits: some support for low earners

Minimum wage rises:

• The national living wage will increase from £12.21 to £12.71.
• Workers aged 18–20 will see pay rise from £10 to £10.85.

Good news for low-paid households, though it adds pressure to sectors already struggling with recruitment.

Two-child benefit cap scrapped: Labour’s landmark social policy move, the two-child limit on child benefit will end, costing £3bn by 2030 and lifting 450,000 children out of poverty.

Students and renters also affected

Student loan thresholds frozen: From 2027, Plan 2 student loan repayment and interest thresholds will be frozen for three years, keeping interest at 7.9 per cent and raising £400m annually.

Property and renting: Higher taxes on landlords’ income may feed through to rents, though the numbers affected are smaller than in previous years due to earlier rule changes.

What about the planet?

Despite the Government’s rhetoric on green growth, this Budget contains little new environmental ambition.

• No new investment in home insulation
• No new support for renewables or grid upgrades
• No green transport funding beyond EV taxation
• Fuel duty frozen again
• A promise to cut “red tape” for nuclear, but no clear delivery plan

There is £14m for low-carbon tech in Grangemouth and a push for nuclear, but overall the climate sits firmly behind fiscal consolidation.

Christmas may be the season of sparkle, but the financial reality behind it is looking decidedly less shiny. New research from MoneySuperMarket shows that one in ten Brits now borrow – through credit cards, overdrafts or loans – just to get through December, while a further nine per cent rely on Buy Now, Pay Later to spread the cost.

Even then, the pressure doesn’t end when the decorations come down. Fifteen per cent of people run out of money before January payday, and one in ten say they’re depending on a festive bonus to avoid the red.

With the average household expecting to spend £1,626 on gifts, gatherings, travel and celebrations this year, it’s clear that the classic “season of goodwill” has become a season of worry for many.

But a joyful Christmas doesn’t have to be a costly one, and certainly not one that follows you into the new year. Here are 10 smart and sustainable ways to save your money and your sanity.

Best ethical credit cards in 2025

1. Face the numbers before they snowball

Knowing your true December costs is half the battle. The research shows how easily spending spirals – from gifts to nights out to food. Set a maximum budget based on what you can genuinely afford, not what tradition dictates, and stick to it religiously.

2. Cut the gift list – kindly

Twelve per cent of people overspend at Christmas just to keep up appearances. Suggest Secret Santa, agree to a spending cap or move to experiences instead of things. A walk, a homemade voucher or a shared day out leaves a better memory than a rushed present.

3. Dodge “financial FOMO”

MoneySuperMarket’s data shows one in ten Brits feel pressured to join in every festive event, even if they can’t afford it. Level with your friends as chances are they feel the same. Swap pricey cocktails for mulled wine at home or a Christmas movie night.

4. Plan your festive food

With Brits spending an average £78 on drinks and £76 on seasonal outings, food-based gatherings add up fast. Write your list, buy only what you need and plan meals with leftovers in mind. Turkey and potatoes become pies, bones become stock, veg becomes stir-fries.

5. Make greener swaps that genuinely save

Small tweaks protect both your wallet and the planet. Vegetarian dishes are often cheaper than meat-heavy feasts. Use brown or recycled wrapping paper instead of foil-coated wrap. And if you’re getting a tree, go for an FSC-certified real one you can recycle – or rent a potted tree and return it in January.

6. Resist the “Christmas outfit” trap

The average Brit expects to spend £64.85 on festive clothing. Before buying anything new, check what you already have or borrow from a friend. Festive jumpers are rarely seen more than once anyway and are often perfectly reusable.

7. Say no to events that stretch you

Only 20 per cent of Brits plan to attend their office Christmas party this year, and a chunk say it puts financial pressure on them. If a plan doesn’t work for your budget, decline politely. Protecting your finances beats one more raffle-ticket dinner.

8. Borrow only if you’ve compared your options

With more people turning to credit, doing it wisely is crucial. If borrowing is unavoidable, compare rates and terms before signing up to anything that feels “quick” or “easy”. Comparison sites like MoneySuperMarket can help you find cheaper, clearer credit options without falling into expensive overdrafts.

9. Talk money early – and set expectations

Whether it’s gift rules, work events or family traditions, being open about costs takes the pressure off everyone. A ten-minute conversation in November can save weeks of overspending – and guilt – in December.

10. Choose the kind of Christmas you actually want

With 15 per cent of people running out of money before January payday, it’s clear the pressure to “do it all” doesn’t serve anyone. Focus on the traditions you love, skip the ones that drain you and remember that the best parts of the season rarely come with a receipt.

If the thought of little Delilah growing up in debt to payday lenders and renting a tiny room in Deptford fills you with utter despair, take note: there are subtle ways you can improve your child’s financial literacy without them even knowing. You just have to buy them the right games.

Here are some ideas for Christmas gifts they’ll love.. that will also secretly teach them vital money lessons.

Games

The Game of Life

This game helps children get to grips with the impact of their decisions on their finances. So, for example, they learn that studying can pay off in the long run with a better-paid job, and that the value of property can fall as well as rise.

Monopoly

Unsurprisingly there are seemingly endless money lessons to be learned from this game. It reveals the risks of going on a spending spree and leaving no emergency cash buffer. It highlights the importance of regular income, and when it comes down to trading properties, it teaches valuable negotiation skills.

Pop to the Shops

For the younger primary-school-age child, this handy game from Orchard Toys can help them get to grips with handling money and counting change.

Scrabble

For the child who couldn’t imagine completing numeracy and literacy challenges in their spare time, this is a brilliant way to improve not only their vocabulary and spelling, but also their ability to do fairly complex mental arithmetic at speed.

Money

Cash

It’s not the most subtle lesson, but it can be a brilliant one for an older child with multiple demands. It helps them appreciate the importance of prioritising needs over wants. It also avoids the horror of spending a small fortune on an ungrateful child who complains they didn’t get the one thing they really wanted.

Cash – with strings attached

Some kids find that money burns a hole in their pocket, so giving them cash teaches them nothing other than the joy of spending. If that is the case, you can give them money with strings attached. You could, for example, agree to double any money they choose to put into a savings account for a few months, or match anything they have left over by 1 February.

Shares

You can buy shares for the benefit of a child under 18 through a Junior ISA. They might not be terribly excited by the prospect on Christmas Day, but you can soften the blow by choosing a company they have a connection with – like their favourite shop or tech firm. You could also choose a sustainable JISA so they can appreciate the impact they make on the wider world as well as on their finances. Whatever you choose, it’s a powerful way to teach them about the rewards of long-term investment.

Top 7 apps to help children manage money

Books

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Among the many surprising things Harry learns around his 11^th birthday, is that while he has spent his childhood wearing hand-me-downs and living in a cupboard under the stairs, he is actually rich. His financial decisions from there set a brilliant example to Potter fans. He doesn’t take too much from his pile of gold; he shares with his friends; he doesn’t rush out and buy the latest broomstick; and the presents he most cherishes are home-made.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

It may seem like a book about a health and safety nightmare during a factory tour, but actually it’s about the consequences of indulging our worst instincts. It teaches children that unless they conquer their greed, materialism and gadget obsession they will end up sucked into a pipe, attacked by squirrels, or shrunk to an inch tall. In the real world, these risks may be slightly less prevalent, but overcoming these character flaws will save them from a lifetime of overspending and debt.

The Little Red Hen

This is the story of a hen who asks the lazy farm animals for help making bread, and receives none. Then when the bread is made, she has plenty of volunteers who offer to help her eat it, but she refuses. She points out that if they’d wanted to share the fruits of her labour, they should have helped earlier.

For younger children, who are struggling to make the connection between the effort they put in and the rewards they reap, this is a brilliant tale. It’s also a welcome read for any parent who thinks that every once in a while, they ought to prioritise their own needs – and spend some money on their own savings and investments rather than funnelling every penny into meeting every desire of their children at Christmas.

‘What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more” – Dr Seuss’ The Grinch.

If you’re tired of buying plastic toys that are forgotten by January, this could be the year to give a gift that lasts. We’re not saying ditch the flashy, fun-to-open gifts all together, but you might want to sprinkle in a little money among them. This doesn’t mean a wad of cash in a card, but money (even a small amount) that will grow alongside your child.

With inflation pressures still lingering, energy bills high and household budgets under strain, a financial gift this Christmas can help equip younger family members for the future.

But before you dip into your pocket, the tax efficiency of a money gift requires some thought. Here are five tax-friendly financial gift options this Christmas.

1. Open a savings account – but act while good rates still exist 

A simple, accessible place to start is a children’s savings account in the child’s name. It helps them learn the value of saving, earning interest, and making money work.

As of late 2025, many children’s savings accounts are offering decent interest rates. For example, Nationwide lists five per cent AER on a children’s instant-access account. But with the Bank of England base rate now firmly on a downward path, these stronger deals may not last – so acting sooner rather than later makes sense.

Top tax tip: If you deposit money you’ve given your child, and the interest from that gift exceeds £100 in a tax year, then you (the parent) may be liable to pay tax on that interest if it takes you beyond your Personal Savings Allowance. The £100 rule doesn’t apply if the gift came from grandparents or other relatives.

See our top ethical savings account providers

2. Use a Junior ISA (JISA) for long-term growth

For more long-term goals – university, gap year, first car or home deposit – a JISA is a great tax-efficient wrapper. The contributions, growth and income are free of income tax and capital gains tax.

The JISA annual allowance remains £9,000. When your child reaches age 18, the account converts into a regular ISA and they can access the funds or continue investing.

Top tax tip: If you contribute the full £9,000 annually, even modest returns compound significantly. For example, over 18 years, even at five per cent per year, a full-allowance steady contribution can build a very sizable fund. (Of course actual returns fluctuate.)

See our top ethical JISAs

3. Set up a pension for your child now

This might feel like a gift for way down the road, but opening a pension pot for a child gives them a tremendous head-start for later life.

Even though children don’t (typically) have taxable earnings, you – or a relative – can contribute to a pension on their behalf: for example, you could invest £2,880 into a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) for them, and with tax-relief topping it up to £3,600 gross for the year (i.e., £720 of tax relief). The money then grows over decades.

Such a gift is less “open now” and more “opens decades later” – but that’s the point. If the fund grows at, say, five per cent year on year, starting very young dramatically multiplies the effect.

Top tax tip: If you can afford to maximise both JISA and a pension contribution, you could supercharge the child’s future nest egg. But ensure you’re comfortable with the long-term lock-in of pension funds and the risk/return profile.

See our top ethical pension funds

4. Cash gifts: simple but useful for inheritance tax and flexibility

Gifting cash remains one of the most flexible options: it can help reduce your future inheritance tax bill, support young family members and be structured in tax-efficient ways.

For example, you can place children’s savings into tax-efficient wrappers such as ISAs or JISAs rather than leaving them in cash where interest may attract tax. And if you’re making larger gifts, be mindful of inheritance tax (IHT) rules: gifts made more than seven years before death may fall outside your estate for IHT, and smaller allowances – such as the annual £3,000 gift allowance and the £250 small-gift allowance – still apply.

Top tax tip: Use the annual gift allowance (£3,000 per year per giver) to gift tax-free. You could also use the “surplus income” rule (gifting from your regular income after covering your usual living costs) if it’s appropriate. Just make sure you’re using money you don’t need for your own ongoing expenses.

The Good Guide to what to do with an inheritance

5. For adult children: consider a Lifetime ISA (LISA)

If your child is turning 18 (or is already an adult) then a LISA can be a compelling option to support their first-home purchase or retirement. You can put in up to £4,000 per year, and the government adds a 25 per cent bonus (so up to £1,000 per year) until the saver turns 50. The funds must be used for buying a first home (value capped at £450,000) or held until age 60, otherwise a withdrawal penalty applies.

Top tax tip: If they already have a JISA that’s matured (at age 18) or can redirect future JISA contributions into a LISA, you could use the full allowance and bonus to give them a great start on the housing ladder.

See our top ethical Lifetime ISAs (LISAs)

Fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – are still the biggest driver of climate change, responsible for more than three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. If we’re serious about a livable planet, we need to stop funding the problem and start funding the solutions.

One powerful way to do that is by choosing fossil fuel-free investments. These are funds that exclude companies involved in fossil fuel extraction or power generation, and instead back businesses driving the shift to a cleaner economy.

Here are 10 trusted options to help you invest for a greener future. (Remember: this isn’t personal advice, and your capital is at risk.)

You can find most of these funds on major UK investment platforms, including The Big Exchange, Interactive Investor, AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown, or by asking your Independent Financial Adviser.

1. Triodos Pioneer Impact Fund

Triodos has never, and says it will never, invest in fossil fuels. The Triodos Pioneer Impact Fund backs smaller listed companies that are genuine sustainability leaders. Each investment is screened against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Why we like it: A long-standing ‘Good Egg’ company and certified B Corp, Triodos puts impact before profit.

Top 7 ethical pension funds

2. FP WHEB Sustainability Impact Fund

WHEB excludes fossil fuels across all its funds. Its flagship Sustainability Impact Fund invests in global companies solving environmental and social challenges — from clean energy to healthcare innovation.

Why we like it: One of the first UK funds to earn the FCA’s “Sustainability Impact” label. It’s highly rated for transparency and performance.

Top 3 sustainable investment platforms

3. Castlefield Thoughtful World Equity Fund

Castlefield screens out fossil fuels (10 per cent revenue threshold) and other harmful industries, focusing on European companies that treat people and the planet responsibly.

Why we like it: A hands-on fund manager that takes active stewardship seriously.

Top 7 ethical current accounts

4. EdenTree Sustainable Investment Funds

EdenTree’s sustainable fund range excludes companies involved in fossil-fuel exploration and production (oil, gas and thermal coal) where more than 10 per cent of revenue is derived from those activities. Their policy also excludes mining companies. While they don’t list aviation as a blanket exclusion in the baseline policy, heavy-carbon emitters are subject to enhanced screening and engagement.

Why we like it: A pioneer of responsible investing in the UK, with clear exclusions and strong engagement on climate.

Top 9 ethical financial advisers

5. Impax Environmental Markets Plc

An investment trust (so it trades like a share) focused on companies delivering cleaner energy, water, and waste solutions. Impax is one of the longest-established specialist sustainable investors. The trust excludes companies involved in fossil-fuel extraction and sets thresholds for fossil-fuel exposure – though it may still hold companies with limited fossil-fuel links in line with its transition strategy.

Why we like it: Proven track record and strong thematic focus on the green economy, with an explicit fossil-fuel exclusion policy and limited exposure to transitional fossil-fuel activities.

9 ways to make your money fight climate change

6. PensionBee Climate Plan

The Climate plan replaced PensionBee’s original Fossil Fuel-Free option. It excludes any company with fossil fuel reserves or revenue ties to oil, gas, or coal – and invests instead in firms driving the net zero transition.

Why we like it: One of the easiest ways to green your pension.
Invest directly through PensionBee.

7. Janus Henderson Future Technologies

This fund targets technology companies delivering solutions to sustainability challenges – from renewable energy and efficient manufacturing to clean infrastructures – and applies exclusion screens to companies involved in fossil-fuel exploration or significant fossil-fuel revenue exposure.

Why we like it: Ideal for investors who believe innovation and technology are key to creating a greener world.

8. Pictet Nutrition

This fund invests in companies that are improving how we grow, produce and consume food – tackling issues such as sustainable agriculture, food-waste reduction and access to better nutrition.

Why we like it: One of the most direct ways to invest in the food-system transformation, which is a major lever for lowering emissions and driving sustainable impact.

Top-paying ethical savings accounts

9. Quilter Investors Ethical Equity Fund

This long-running “ethical” fund applies both negative screens (excluding companies involved in activities such as coal, oil and gas reserves, fracking, tobacco and gambling) and positive screens (seeking companies contributing to more efficient use of energy, water, resources and food).

Why we like it: Takes a straightforward ethical approach, backing responsible companies and steering clear of the worst offenders. It’s performed steadily over the long term, though ratings do vary.

10. Schroder Global Alternative Energy (renamed from Global Energy Transition in 2025)

This fund focuses on companies worldwide that are delivering the shift to a lower-carbon economy, from renewable energy generation and storage to electric transport and cleaner materials. It uses inclusion criteria such as 50 per cent+ revenue from alternative energy or critical role in the transition.

Why we like it: A highly focused “energy transition” portfolio – one of the most specialist available in the UK.

This list highlights 10 strong examples of fossil fuel-free or fossil-light investment funds available to UK investors, but it’s by no means exhaustive. Availability and exclusions can change, so always check the latest fund documents and platform listings before you invest.

Risk warning: When you invest, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed at any time. 

Unity Trust Bank – a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ company – has launched a £100 million Green Tariff lending facility to help organisations reduce their carbon footprint and invest in energy-efficient projects.

The new fund offers preferential loan terms for projects that cut emissions and improve building performance, including low carbon heating systems, better insulation, small-scale renewable energy installations and climate resilience measures.

Replacing the bank’s award-winning Retrofit Transition Initiative (RTI), which has already funded energy efficiency upgrades for more than 1,770 affordable homes across the UK, the Green Tariff is designed to make sustainable investment more affordable and accessible for a wider range of organisations.

Matt Conroy, Head of Impact Propositions at Unity Trust Bank, said: “With a government target for the UK to reach net zero by 2050 and the increased costs of energy, it’s important to find solutions to support our customers to move to a low carbon economy.

“As a social impact bank, we believe that finance has an important role to play in achieving a greener future. This new tariff is aimed at helping customers to significantly reduce their carbon footprint, adopt more sustainable practices and protect the environment.

“The terms are designed to be clear, easily understood and to provide fair value to customers through transparent pricing and tangible cost benefits.”

Unity Trust Bank: 40 years of banking for impact

The Green Tariff will be available to new and existing customers, including those who have already achieved high levels of energy efficiency.

Unity Trust Bank, which has set its own Net Zero target for 2045, is a signatory to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and excludes funding for high-carbon or high-polluting industries. All lending is assessed against one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure measurable positive impact on UK communities.

The launch builds on Unity’s long-standing commitment to sustainable finance. The bank received the King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2024, recognising four decades of delivering positive impact.

By extending its support to more sectors and projects, Unity Trust Bank’s new £100 million Green Tariff aims to accelerate the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy – one building at a time.

Global travel is booming. Popular destinations are grappling with overtourism, extreme heat and water shortages, while climate-related disruption is becoming a regular feature of the holiday season.

At the same time, medical costs abroad are rising and travel insurers are tightening terms in response to more frequent weather-related claims. Against that backdrop, the environmental footprint of tourism remains significant. Tourism is responsible for 7.3 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

For travellers who care about their impact, the question isn’t just where to go – but where their money goes. Travel insurance may not be the most glamorous part of booking a trip, but it’s one of the simplest ways to align your spending with your values.

Some insurers now go beyond covering lost luggage and medical bills. They fund environmental projects, support community initiatives or take steps to distance themselves from fossil fuel expansion.

Here are four ethical travel insurance options to consider in 2026.

How to choose ethical travel insurance

Before focusing on brand names, consider:

1. Where does the money go?
Does the insurer donate a meaningful share of profits or commissions to environmental or social causes – and is that commitment transparent?

2. Who underwrites the policy?
Many ethical brokers rely on large insurers. Check whether the underwriter has restrictions on fossil fuel projects or controversial sectors.

3. What about investments?
Insurance companies invest premiums before claims are paid. Do they have fossil fuel exclusion policies or credible climate commitments?

4. Is the cover robust?
Ethical shouldn’t mean inadequate. Look carefully at medical limits, cancellation cover, repatriation and climate-related disruption.

5. Are there incentives for lower-impact travel?
Some providers actively encourage rail over flights or support community-led tourism.

Naturesave

A long-standing pioneer in green insurance, Naturesave gives 10 per cent of its premiums to The Naturesave Trust, which funds grassroots environmental and conservation projects across the UK.

The Totnes-based broker has also helped drive change within the wider business community. Its staff incentive scheme rewarding low-carbon travel inspired the wider Climate Perks campaign, encouraging employers to offer extra leave to staff who avoid flying.

Naturesave has been vocal in calling for fossil fuel divestment across the insurance industry through its Campaign for Divestment, arguing that insurers have a key role to play in shaping the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Travel insurance can be bought as a standalone policy or alongside other cover. Policies typically include options for longer trips and winter sports.

Travel policies arranged through Naturesave are underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance, part of the AXA Group.

Naturesave is part of Benefact Group, which is owned by a charity and distributes available profits to good causes.

World Nomads

A favourite with backpackers and independent travellers, World Nomads positions travel as a potential force for good.

When buying a policy, customers can choose to add a small micro-donation to fund community development and conservation projects in the destinations they visit. The company says it covers administrative costs so that 100 per cent of customer donations go to the chosen project.

Projects have included partnerships with organisations such as Oxfam, WaterAid, Save the Children and the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

World Nomads also publishes practical guidance on responsible travel, from wildlife tourism to reducing plastic waste.

In the UK, policies are underwritten by Collinson Insurance.

Top 3 eco-friendly car insurers

Evergreen Insurance Services

Evergreen takes a profit-sharing approach. When you buy travel insurance through the broker, it donates up to 25 per cent of its commission to a wildlife or environmental charity of your choice – with the proportion increasing the longer you stay as a customer.

Policyholders can select from a panel of environmental charities spanning conservation, reforestation, education and waste reduction, creating a direct link between everyday financial products and nature recovery.

Travel insurance is offered via partners including Just Travel Cover and Inter Partner Assistance (part of the AXA Group). As ever, it’s worth checking the underwriting arrangements and exclusions carefully.

Evergreen also offers home, pet, car and other policies for customers who want to align more of their insurance spending with environmental causes.

Responsible Travel

Sustainable tour operator Responsible Travel has teamed up with Columbus Direct to offer travel insurance with a charitable twist.

Customers receive a discount compared with standard Columbus Direct prices. They can keep the saving, donate it to charity, or split it between themselves and good causes.

Supported organisations have included the World Cetacean Alliance, Elephant Family and Surfers Against Sewage.

Responsible Travel is best known for screening the holidays it sells for their environmental and social impact, and for promoting small-scale, locally owned accommodation and experiences.

Forget haunted houses and creeping shadows – some of the scariest stories this Halloween come from banks and fund managers running wild with your cash. The money in your account doesn’t just sit there gathering dust. It’s being lent and invested and recycled, often in ways you wouldn’t want your name attached to.

But there’s hope: some banks are more halo than horror. Triodos Bank (a Good With Money “Good Egg”) aims only to fund positive impact. Others.. well, they’re still in need of a serious spiritual detox.

In the UK, major firms poured £119 billion into fossil fuel activities between 2020 and 2024, and some banks are still putting much more money into fossil fuels than into climate-friendly alternatives.

If any of the investments below disturb you, challenge your bank – or better still, switch to one that doesn’t trade in nightmares.

Top 5 LEAST ethical banks – and where to move for good

Why banking choices matter

Triodos Bank emphasises that even small deposits in a sustainable provider get aggregated into a force for good. Choosing transparency and ethical standards means your money is deployed in ways you’d be comfortable with: no complicity in climate destruction, human abuse or ecological ruin.

Other ethical or better-than-average providers include Nationwide, Cumberland, Engage, Monzo and Starling – and for businesses, Unity Trust Bank, which lends exclusively to organisations delivering social impact.

For an easy-to-navigate summary of which bank’s invested where, and what may be potentially ‘dodgy deals’ as they call them, take a look at Bank Track. It publishes a global list of banks, sorted by country; the companies they invest in, and the focus of those companies.

Top 6 ethical current accounts

9 chilling sectors your bank might be funding

Here are nine categories you should look out for:

1. Fossil fuels and dirty energy expansion

This is still the top fright. In 2024, the world’s top 65 banks committed $869 billion (£647 billion) to fossil-fuel companies, including $429 billion (£319.5 billion) to firms expanding exploration or infrastructure.

Banks in the UK are no exception: between 2020 and 2024, the Big Four (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) funneled £119 billion into fossil fuel activity – more than double what they lent to green companies in that period. Barclays alone provided $35.4 billion (£26.3 billion) in fossil finance in 2024, making it Europe’s most aggressive fossil-fuel bank that year.

2. Carbon bombs and “mega” fossil projects

UK banks have quietly backed “carbon bomb” projects. These are massive fossil ventures whose emissions alone could derail climate goals. One study found that between 2016 and 2023, nine London-based banks were involved in financing 117 such projects – equivalent to 420 billion tonnes of CO₂.

3. Deforestation, rainforest destruction and land grabbing

Banks continue to underwrite or invest in agribusinesses whose operations cause deforestation, habitat loss and land grabs. From 2016 to 2024, financial institutions made around $26 billion (£19.4 billion) in deals tied to deforesting companies.

HSBC, for example, has been singled out for providing billions in financing to firms linked to major deforestation, even after its public “no deforestation” pledges.
Barclays, meanwhile, was a major financier of JBS – a meat company tied to rainforest destruction – in 2022.

4. Transition minerals: clean energy, dirty supply chains

The shift to clean energy depends on minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel – but the way these resources are mined often comes with serious environmental and human rights risks. Between 2016 and 2024, major banks invested around $493 billion (£367.2 billion) in mining projects for these minerals, many located in biodiversity hotspots or on Indigenous lands.

The problem isn’t the minerals themselves, but weak oversight. Too many financial institutions still lack strong policies to ensure mining happens responsibly, protecting local communities, water sources and ecosystems. Sustainable sourcing should be part of the energy transition, not a casualty of it.

How to have a sustainable Halloween

5. Human rights violations, land dispossession and abuse

Banks in multiple countries have financed projects tied to forced displacement, violations of Indigenous rights, or environmental damage in low-income regions. A recent analysis found many institutions scored extremely low (average 22/100) in ESG policy effectiveness around deforestation, pollution, human rights.

6. Arms, military equipment and conflict zones

Your bank might be facilitating finance or insurance for arms producers, military contracts, or trade in sensitive regions. Many banks have been named in NGO reports linking them (directly or indirectly) to arms groups, war economies or conflict-zone extractive projects. (See NGO reports collected by Ethical Consumer and others.)

7. Animal cruelty, factory farming, and meat supply chains

Banks help fund meat and agribusiness operations linked to deforestation, biodiversity collapse and livestock-related emissions. Barclays, as noted above, backed JBS – a huge player in the meat industry with links to Amazon destruction.

8. Poisonous industries and chemical pollution

This includes mining chemicals, heavy metals, pollution-intensive manufacturing, waste incineration, coal ash handling, etc. Banks sometimes underwrite projects with weak environmental controls, or serve clients that violate pollution and waste standards.

9. Hidden high-risk trading

In the darker corners of finance, some banks make money from complex trades, known as derivatives, that few people really understand. These financial products are linked to things like interest rates, oil prices or company debt, and are often traded in private markets that lack transparency.

Because they’re so complicated and hard to track, these “opaque” deals can hide big risks – and when things go wrong, the fallout can spread quickly through the financial system (as we saw in the 2008 crash).

It’s another reminder that even when your money isn’t funding pollution or exploitation, it can still be caught up in risky or secretive parts of the financial world.

Good Egg company Ecology Building Society has teamed up with retrofit specialists Retrogreen to offer its borrowers free, personalised advice on how to make their homes greener, warmer and cheaper to run.

The new partnership gives Ecology’s renovation mortgage customers free access to Retrogreen’s online retrofit tool – designed to help homeowners understand which energy-saving upgrades make the most sense for their property, what they’ll cost, and how much they could save.

Many people want to improve their home’s energy efficiency but don’t know where to start. Common barriers include confusion about what work is needed, how to find trusted tradespeople, and worries about cost.

Top 6 responsible mortgage providers

Closing the ‘confidence gap’

“Time and again we hear that consumers are interested in making green home improvements but often they don’t know where to start,” says Daniel Capstick, Ecology’s Senior Mortgages Product and Proposition Manager. “That’s why we’ve partnered with Retrogreen to bridge that ‘confidence gap’.”

Retrogreen’s tool lets users explore potential upgrades, from insulation to heat pumps, and see how these could improve their property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating or even its value. Borrowers can filter options based on comfort, affordability or environmental impact, and then connect with vetted, accredited installers to get the work done.

The initial online assessment is free to Ecology borrowers, with discounted access to a full end-to-end retrofit management service. Ecology plans to extend the offer across its wider membership in future.

“We’re proud to partner with Ecology to make trusted retrofit advice accessible to more homeowners,” says Colin Calder, CEO at Retrogreen. “Our goal is to give people the confidence to act – showing them which upgrades make sense and connecting them with the right professionals to deliver them properly.”

Green rewards for greener homes

Ecology already rewards borrowers who make their homes more energy efficient through its C-Change discount, which can reduce mortgage rates by up to 1.50 per cent depending on how much the property’s energy performance improves.

The Society’s renovation mortgages also offer cashback for installing heat pumps – £500 for an air source model or £1,000 for a ground source system.

With energy costs still high and climate goals growing more urgent, the partnership is another example of how Ecology is helping its members turn good intentions into real-world impact.

Find out more about Ecology’s green mortgages at www.ecology.co.uk.

Here’s what we think of PensionBee – an online platform that helps customers take control of their retirement by combining their existing pension pots into one new plan.

The deal

PensionBee is on a mission to transform the pensions industry by helping people take control of their retirement savings. Launched in 2016, it is now a global leader in the consumer retirement market with over £6.3 billion in assets on behalf of more than 286,000 invested customers.

With a ‘job for life’ now mostly a thing of the past, many people end up with various pots of pensions that become increasingly difficult to keep track of as the years go by. PensionBee will help you locate all of your old pensions and combine them into one brand new, easy-to-manage plan.

You can choose from PensionBee’s range of pension plans, including the Climate Plan and Shariah Plan. If you’re not sure which to choose, you will automatically be invested in one of two default options; the Global Leaders Plan if you’re under 50 or the 4Plus Plan if you’re 50 or over.

Bear in mind that PensionBee does not offer financial advice, so can’t recommend a specific plan to you. Once your pension has been set up, it will be managed by one of PensionBee’s partners including BlackRock, HSBC and State Street Global Advisors.

PensionBee is a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ company, which means it can prove it makes a positive difference to the planet and society as well as to its customers and staff.

Top 6 ethical pension funds

User-friendliness

PensionBee was born from a desire to make pensions simple and accessible to everyone, so user-friendliness is its key selling point.

Once you’ve registered by providing some basic personal details, the first step is to work out where all your existing pension savings are. If you can’t find them or don’t have the time, tell PensionBee the names of your past and current employers and your personal ‘beekeeper’ will track them down for you.

If there is an exit fee of more than £10, your beekeeper will let you know so you can decide whether to still go ahead. Also, if your old pension has guarantees – such as guaranteed annuity rates or a final salary promise – you will be sent the relevant paperwork to consider before you transfer.

On average, it takes about 12 weeks to transfer all your old pensions over. From your online ‘beehive,’ you can see your current pot balance, your projected retirement income, and set up regular or one-off contributions.

Sustainable investing options

The planet-positive Climate Plan, launched in July 2024, replaces the popular Fossil Fuel-Free plan.

The Fossil Fuel-Free Plan was one of the UK’s first mainstream private pension plans to completely exclude companies with proven or probable reserves in oil, gas or coal when it launched in 2020. The “upgraded” Climate Plan continues to exclude fossil fuels but goes a step further by also pro-actively investing in companies at the forefront of the transition to a low carbon economy. Find out more here.

Both plans are considered to be higher risk than PensionBee’s other plans.

Unique selling points

• Planet-friendly options. PensionBee’s Climate plan means you can grow your retirement savings while also helping to protect the planet for yourself and future generations.
• Simplicity. You won’t have to deal with confusing jargon or complicated processes.
• Accessible to everyone. Even if you don’t have any previous workplace pensions or are self-employed, you can use PensionBee to open a new one.

The plus points

• No minimum. There is no minimum contribution so you can pay in as often or as little as you want.
• Automatic tax relief. PensionBee will automatically claim your 25 per cent tax top up from HMRC and add it to your balance (so long as you’re eligible).
• Easy withdrawals. From age 55 (57 from 2028), you can take your pension out online through the PensionBee drawdown. Or, if you’d rather receive a regular income throughout your retirement, you can buy a pension annuity through PensionBee’s partner Legal & General.
• One annual fee. PensionBee charges one simple annual fee from 0.50 to 0.95 per cent, depending on which plan you choose (see below). They’ll ask your permission if there are ‘exit fees’ of more than £10 to move your money from an old provider.
• Personal beekeeper. You’ll be assigned a ‘beekeeper’ who can track down your old pensions, help answer any questions you have, and update your details when necessary.
• Diversified investments. PensionBee offers diversified plans, meaning that they invest across different countries and asset types (such as stocks and bonds) to keep risk down.
• No exit penalties. You are free to move your pension at any time without charge. There is also a 30-day cancellation policy.

Any drawbacks?

• No financial advice. PensionBee can’t offer financial advice so won’t be able to recommend a plan to you.
• Simplicity can mean less choice. PensionBee is all about keeping things simple, so it’s not for anyone wanting to self-select and manage the funds within their pension plan.

Cost of use 

Joining PensionBee is free and there is no charge for consolidating your pensions. Once your new plan is in place, you’ll pay an annual fee of between 0.5 and 0.95 per cent of your total pension depending on the plan you choose. This includes underlying fees paid to the managers who invest your money. The annual fee on the Climate plan is 0.75 per cent, on the Shariah plan it’s 0.95 per cent. Global Leaders is 0.70 per cent and the 4Plus plan is 0.85 per cent.

Fees are halved for any amount above £100,000 to reward saving.

Aviva charges an annual management fee of 0.35 per cent for its ethical self-select pension, dropping to 0.25 per cent on pots over £200,000.

The Good Guide to Pensions

Other options

Similar ethical pensions worth considering are:

Nest Ethical Fund

Aviva

The B Corp movement has become one of the most recognisable signals of responsible business. Certified by the non-profit B Lab, B Corps are companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. The certification demonstrates that a business is actively balancing profit with purpose, and committing to continuous improvement across every part of its operations.

Since launching in 2006, the community has grown into a global network of more than 8,000 certified companies, from household names like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s to emerging purpose-driven start-ups. The B Corp logo has become a trusted shorthand for consumers and investors looking for businesses that genuinely walk the talk on sustainability.

Increasingly, the movement is also taking root in the financial sector. The surge in applications has prompted B Lab to hit pause on certifying large firms as it overhauls its standards, introducing stricter rules for industries like finance.

This growing appetite for accountability in finance is encouraging. The sector has an outsized role to play in funding the transition to a fairer, greener economy – and with so many competing claims of “sustainability,” third-party verification like B Corp helps people understand who’s really making a difference.

It’s something we recognised at Good With Money when we created the Good Egg mark in 2017. The Good Egg is a badge that makes it easier for people to find financial providers creating positive impact for the planet and society, as well as good value for their money. It is awarded only to firms that can prove they make a meaningful difference to customers, communities, and the wider world.

Here, we’re spotlighting six financial firms that have achieved a double whammy of recognition – B Corp certificationand a Good Egg mark from Good With Money.

The Good Egg mark: why it matters

Triodos Bank

Triodos Bank is one of the world’s most sustainable banks, offering everyday banking services for individuals, businesses and charities. Customers’ money is only lent to businesses and organisations bringing about positive social, environmental and cultural change.

Triodos has been a certified B Corp since the European launch of the movement back in 2015 and is still the only B Corp to offer a personal current account in the UK.

Jacco Minnaar, Chief Commercial Officer of Triodos Bank: “B Corp is a growing community of successful and sustainable companies that create positive social impact and change. We believe the B Corp certification helps increase awareness and credibility of corporate sustainability.

“It delivers proof that a business-model focused on long-term added value instead of short-term financial profit is the only way forward for all companies. We are part of this movement and are proud to be a B Corp ourselves.”

Triodos Bank was also the first bank to be awarded a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ mark. It was ranked by independent experts Ethical Screening and the Good Egg panellists as having “high positive impact” across every category.

Certified B Corp since: 2015

Overall B Corp score: 131.3

First awarded a Good Egg mark: 2018

Read our Good Egg report on Triodos Bank here

Path Financial

Path Financial offers a range of financial advice and wealth management services as well as positive impact investment options.

Richard Ravelin, General Manager at Path Financial, says: “There’s only so much impact an individual business can have. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a global movement that’s growing every day. As a B Corp, we’re committed to using our business as a force for good. That means we go above and beyond for our workers, customers, environment and community, and we have a governance structure that protects our principles.

“We want to be part of the solution, and this includes Path’s Portfolios which maximise alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals – the blueprint for all countries to promote development that not only meets the needs of people and planet today but builds resilience and sustainability for our future generations.

“For us, B Corp Certification and Good Egg Accreditation are more than just marks, they’re badges we wear proudly and represent a collective call for change.”

Certified B Corp since: 2022

Overall B Corp score: 120.4 

First awarded a Good Egg mark: 2022

Read our Good Egg report on Path Financial here

EQ Investors

EQ Investors is a financial planner and investment manager that only invests its customers’ money in sustainable ways.

Ben Faulkner, Marketing & Communications Director at EQ Investors, says: “We’re extremely pleased to be a part of this change-making community and hope to inspire others to use their businesses for good too. Even if you do not become a B Corp yourself, you can still make a difference.

“The B Corp Directory lists the scores of all B Corps globally. That means you can find firms you can buy from, and do business with, that you know have been independently vetted for their sustainability.

“We’re very proud to be one of the first firms to pick up a Good with Money ‘Good Egg’, which is the UK’s first responsible money kitemark. This unique kitemark allows us to build trust with our clients, workforce, and suppliers.”

Sophie Kennedy, Joint CEO of EQ Investors added: “For us, B Corp is more than just an accreditation – it’s a framework that drives meaningful, long-term improvement. We have always embraced it as such and got to work at once after our last recertification to raise our standards even further.

“Over the past three years.. our score has increased from 151.1 to 176.9, with improvements in each impact area. You can see our new breakdown scores on the B Corp site here. Our B Corp journey began with a score of 95.2 and now sits at 176.9 – an 85 per cent score increase.”

Certified B Corp since: 2015

Overall B Corp score: 176.9 

First awarded a Good Egg mark: 2017

Read our Good Egg report on EQ Investors here

Thrive Renewables

Thrive Renewables offers accessible opportunities for individuals and businesses to invest in clean energy projects. It has been building and operating renewable energy projects in the UK for close to 30 years.

Matthew Clayton, Managing Director at Thrive Renewables, says: “As one of the UK’s first mission-driven businesses, we’ve been putting people and planet at the heart of what we do for almost 30 years, funding and building 32 energy projects within that time.

“This shared ethos was one of the reasons we decided to apply for B Corp certification in 2019, joining what was – at the time – under 1,000 other UK businesses prioritising impact. Since then, the UK community has grown to over 2,600 and it’s brilliant to see more companies playing their part in creating a cleaner, fairer and more just world.

“As well as being a B Corp, we’re also proud to be one of a small number of independently accredited Good Egg companies, which recognises the businesses making a positive difference across three impact areas: environmental, social, and industry.”

Certified B Corp since: 2019

Overall B Corp Score: 131.1

First awarded a Good Egg mark: 2017

Read our Good Egg report on Thrive Renewables here

Switchfoot Wealth 

Switchfoot Wealth provides independent financial advice and wealth management services for private clients, businesses and fiduciaries. What makes it stand out from the crowd is its belief that “all financial planning should be sustainable financial planning” – and the conviction to follow that through.

It shows clients the environmental and social impact of their money and supports them to make better long-term choices – for their own future and for the planet’s. It services include pension planning, life assurance, income protection, and investments/regular savings.

Read our Good Egg report on Switchfoot Wealth here

Certified B Corp since: 2022

Overall B Corp score: 124.3

First awarded a Good Egg mark: 2024

Meet all our Good Egg companies here.

This article is part of a three-part Good Money Week series exploring how Ethex investments are driving positive change – from community-owned energy to fairer finance and building community wealth.

Across the UK, communities are finding new ways to take control of the spaces and resources that shape daily life. Known as community assets, these are places or projects owned collectively and run for local benefit, from housing and farmland to business hubs and cultural venues.

For years, valued facilities have been lost to cuts, rising costs or private sales. Community ownership offers an alternative, by protecting important spaces while generating income that can be reinvested locally. 

With the help of impact investment platforms such as Ethex, ordinary savers can play a role in securing these assets for the future. Since its launch in 2013, Ethex has raised over £120 million for more than 200 organisations, spanning community energy, affordable housing, ethical finance and shared assets.

Its sister initiative, Energise Africa, extends this principle overseas, funding solar projects that bring clean, affordable power to families in sub-Saharan Africa. Together, they show how community ownership can deliver measurable social and environmental benefits at home and abroad.

Why direct impact investing matters now more than ever

Why community assets matter

Community-owned assets are more than bricks, land or infrastructure. They act as anchors, providing stability, jobs and services that might otherwise disappear. Revenues generated don’t leave the area and are instead recycled into projects such as youth programmes, food banks or biodiversity initiatives.

They sit alongside other forms of community investment, such as affordable finance, which helps households manage essential costs more fairly. Together, these approaches show how money can be directed to support people and places that need it most.

Research by Power to Change shows that every £1 spent by community businesses delivers far greater local benefit than the same pound spent in private or public hands, thanks to the way profits are reinvested and relationships strengthened.

Recent examples

Several projects supported through Ethex highlight what community ownership looks like in practice.

• Stockwood CBS raised investment to manage a business park alongside an organic farm in Worcestershire. The project combines renewable generation on-site with the long-term stewardship of farmland, protecting it for the benefit of both local people and wildlife.
• Otley Common raised funds to transform a former church in Otley, West Yorkshire, into a climate-positive cultural hub. The hub will host community groups, local businesses, an events space, a café, co-working facilities and a retrofitted farmhouse, keeping value and activity at the heart of the town.

These examples show how community assets, whether farmland, housing or land held in trust, can be managed to deliver long-term financial, environmental and social returns simultaneously.

Otley Common

Why investors are interested

Investors are drawn to these projects because they combine the potential for a fair return with outcomes that can be measured in real communities. Homes are kept affordable, farmland is preserved, jobs are created and services are secured.

As Lisa Ashford, CEO of Ethex, says: “Community assets give people a stake in the places they care about. They keep value rooted in local areas rather than being extracted elsewhere.”

Looking ahead

The potential of community ownership is huge. From pubs and post offices to woodlands and housing estates, thousands of local groups are exploring ways to secure assets for public benefit. 

Policy shifts, such as the Community Ownership Fund, are starting to support this trend, but much of the momentum comes from ordinary people willing to invest.

Just as community energy gives people a stake in the clean energy transition, and affordable finance helps households and workers access fairer opportunities, community assets provide a way to protect and improve the places that make neighbourhoods thrive.

For investors, they are an opportunity to see money work harder – not just delivering a return, but strengthening the fabric of communities for the long term.

This article is in partnership with Ethex.

This article is part of a three-part Good Money Week series exploring how Ethex investments are driving positive change – from community-owned energy to fairer finance and building community wealth.

For many people in the UK, access to fair credit is far from guaranteed. Traditional banks often overlook those who need support most: families on low incomes, people locked out of mainstream credit, or community groups delivering vital services. 

Too often, the only options available are expensive forms of borrowing that can trap people in debt.

A growing number of affordable finance initiatives are stepping in to provide fairer credit, giving people a way to manage essential costs without resorting to expensive borrowing.

Ordinary savers are also being given the chance to support this shift. Since its launch in 2013, Ethex has raised over £120 million for more than 200 organisations, spanning community energy, affordable housing, ethical finance and shared assets. 

Its sister platform, Energise Africa, applies the same impact investing model overseas, enabling UK investors to fund solar projects that bring clean, affordable power to families in sub-Saharan Africa.

Why direct impact investing matters now more than ever

Why affordable finance matters

Around 14 million people in the UK have a “thin credit file” or history that makes borrowing difficult. When emergencies strike, like a broken fridge or high energy bill, many face the choice of going without or taking on high-cost loans. Affordable finance offers an alternative: credit that is fair, flexible and designed to support people rather than exploit them.

What’s open now

Fair For You, a social enterprise that provides low-cost loans for essential household items. Instead of pushing families into costly rent-to-own schemes, it offers affordable credit with flexible repayment terms. 

Its latest bond, now open through Ethex, is IFISA-eligible with an eight per cent target return, aiming to expand access to fairer finance and reduce reliance on payday lending.

Source: Fair for you

Proven impact

Other recently funded initiatives illustrate the potential of affordable finance.

• Salad makes fair and affordable loans available to employed UK residents who may have been overlooked by traditional lenders. Using Open Banking to assess affordability, Salad make lending decisions based on each individual’s unique financial situation, even if they have a “bad” credit score. Salad has issued over £150 million in loans, saving customers an estimated average of £500 each, compared to high-interest loan providers
• The Fair Tax Foundation raised investment to expand its work encouraging responsible tax conduct. Its Fair Tax Mark recognises businesses committed to paying their fair share, helping to build transparency and accountability in the UK economy.

These projects show how impact-focused finance can provide alternatives to high-cost credit and profit-driven corporate models.

Why people are backing it

For many investors, the draw is the combination of measurable social impact with the potential for a fair return. Their money doesn’t just circulate within the system, it contributes directly to helping families avoid debt traps, supporting essential workers, and strengthening local economies.

As Ethex CEO Lisa Ashford says: “Finance can be part of the solution. By backing affordable finance, investors are helping to build systems that work for everyone, not just a few.”

Looking ahead

Affordable finance is not only about preventing hardship; it also plays a role in creating stability and opportunity. By backing ethical lenders and social enterprises, investors can support models that make finance more inclusive.

Just as community energy gives people a stake in the clean energy transition, and community assets put valued spaces into local hands, affordable finance helps ensure households and workers can access fairer opportunities. Together, they show how money can be directed to build stronger, more resilient communities.

This article is in partnership with Ethex.

Putting your savings to good use doesn’t have to mean earning less.

For many people, there has been an assumption that sustainable finance means settling for less – that if you want your money to do good, you’ll need to accept a smaller return.

But that idea is increasingly being challenged. A new wave of savings providers is showing that purpose and profit can go hand in hand. One of these is Shoal, a UK-based savings app that lets you earn a competitive return while helping support projects with measurable environmental and social impact.

See our full review of Shoal

Where your money goes

When you put your money into a high street savings account, it doesn’t simply sit there. Banks use customer deposits to fund their own lending and investments, but they rarely discuss what your money is helping to finance. This could include being invested in sectors such as fossil fuel extraction, mining or other carbon-intensive industries.

Shoal takes a more transparent approach. Funds saved through Shoal are held safely with ClearBank and Standard Chartered, both covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Behind the scenes, Standard Chartered commits an equivalent amount from its balance sheet to its Sustainable Finance Portfolio, supporting projects such as renewable energy, clean transport, affordable housing and access to clean water.

This means your savings remain protected while the capital they represent helps to finance a more sustainable global economy, and the funds saved through Shoal will only ever be referenced against sustainable projects.

Purpose without the pay cut

Shoal’s rates are among the most competitive in the UK – 3.99 per cent AER for a 12-month fixed-term business or personal account. That’s as good or better than many of the biggest high street names:

Source: Shoal, October 2025

In other words, you don’t have to choose between doing good and getting a good deal. Shoal’s model shows that savers can earn strong returns while helping support sustainable development. It’s a combination that’s still rare in mainstream banking.

Measuring the impact

Shoal provides clear data on the projects its savers help to support and the impact achieved. To date, funds linked to Shoal customers have contributed to projects that have generated more than one and a half million litres of clean water and avoided over 350,000kg of CO₂ emissions.

Initiatives financed through Standard Chartered’s Sustainable Finance Portfolio include:

• Egypt’s first high-speed rail network, cutting transport emissions.
• A 1,000 MW battery storage project in the Philippines, improving renewable grid efficiency.
• Healthcare infrastructure in Angola, expanding access to essential services.
• Education programmes for marginalised students in India.

Each project supports progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean energy, good health, quality education and climate action.

A shift in finance

Shoal reflects a growing shift in finance, from opacity to transparency. Most savers still have little idea where their money is put to work. Shoal turns that around, giving people the opportunity to align their savings with their values without compromising on security or return.

Every pound saved has the potential to have an impact in shaping the world. Shoal offers a way to know you are making a positive difference with your money, while your savings grow at a competitive rate. 

This article is in partnership with Shoal.

This article is part of a three-part Good Money Week series exploring how Ethex investments are driving positive change – from community-owned energy to fairer finance and building community wealth.

As the UK looks to cut carbon while keeping bills down, one bright spot is shining through: community-owned energy. Across the country, local groups are proving renewable power doesn’t have to be the preserve of big corporations. They can be run by, and for, the communities who benefit from it.

Much of the recent growth comes from platforms that connect local projects with everyday investors. One of the longest-running is Ethex, which has helped raise more than £120 million for community initiatives, including over 80 renewable schemes since 2013. 

Its sister initiative, Energise Africa, applies the same impact investing model overseas, enabling UK investors to fund solar that brings affordable power to families in sub-Saharan Africa. Together they show how ‘people power’ can drive the transition at home and abroad.

From solar on school settings, to community-owned solar farms, projects are multiplying, and reinvesting surpluses locally.

Why direct impact investing matters now more than ever

A movement that’s growing fast

Community energy has moved far beyond a niche idea. Community Energy England says the sector saved almost 166,000 tonnes of CO₂ and contributed nearly £13 million to local economies in 2023. It also delivered £4.4 million in bill savings. This is crucial when households and community organisations are under financial pressure.

Since 2017, more than £240 million has been raised by community groups from people who want their money to have a positive impact.

Image: Energise Barnsley

What does community energy look like?

The model is diverse. Kent Community Energy, for example, is currently raising funds to install rooftop solar panels on community buildings across the county, cutting carbon emissions, reducing bills and delivering long-term local benefits.

Meanwhile, the Big Solar Co-op has a bond offer to help transform a former opencast mine into a clean energy site, using a mix of ethically-sourced and recycled solar panels.

And when communities take ownership of larger assets, such as existing solar farms, the impact goes further still. Revenues are reinvested locally, supporting food banks, mental health services, biodiversity projects and insulation upgrades for village halls.

What you need to know about: Ethex

Why people are backing it

For many investors, the appeal is clear: community energy offers a double dividend. You can seek a fair return while making a measurable difference, from cutting carbon to supporting local initiatives you recognise.

Lisa Ashford, CEO of Ethex, calls it “power to the people in every sense of the word.” Investors can point to projects and say ‘my money helped make that happen’. Energise Africa offers the same connection, with UK investors helping families access clean, safe electricity.

This reflects a wider shift, with savers increasingly wanting their money to align with their values. Community energy provides exactly that, combining financial, environmental and social impact.

The future is local

Momentum around community energy is building. With new government support through the Community Energy Fund, and the enthusiasm of communities and investors, the sector looks set to grow. 

The 2030 vision – to power over two million homes with community-owned renewables and save millions of tonnes of carbon – is ambitious but achievable. 

What makes the model stand out is how inclusive it can be. 

Unlike large infrastructure projects, community energy opens the door for anyone to take part, whether by investing a few hundred pounds in a share offer or by benefiting from lower bills in their area.

At a time when energy often feels expensive and beyond our control, these local initiatives show there are alternatives. They highlight how tackling climate change can also strengthen communities, cut costs and build trust.

This article is in partnership with Ethex.

Economically, it’s been a hard year for many. Environmentally, it’s been hard too. And the solution to both can come from what we do with our money.

Whether it’s switching to a bank account that won’t fund fossil fuels or moving your pension to a provider that invests in solutions to climate change, the most powerful thing we have – our cash – can get the best deal for our pockets while also looking after the planet and the people on it.

As we head towards the end of 2025, it’s a good time to think about how you can make your money greener. It’s one of the most powerful actions you can take to help tackle major challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and inequality. And it can make a positive difference to your financial wellbeing, too.

To mark Good Money Week, we’re celebrating our Good Egg companies. These are financial providers that can prove they make a positive impact not just for their customers, but for society and the environment too.

Here are seven powerful ways to make your money as good as you are.

1. Switch your current account

Moving the account you use for everyday spending is one of the easiest ways to be sure your money is planet-friendly.

Good Egg company Triodos Bank only invests in businesses and projects making a positive impact – from renewable energy to sustainable farming. For business current accounts (especially charities and social enterprises), Unity Trust Bank is leading the way by lending to organisations that drive social change.

2. Save with purpose

Instead of sitting in banks that fund fossil fuels and arms, your savings can help finance greener homes and communities.

Ecology Building Society uses savers’ deposits to support eco-friendly mortgages and sustainable housing. Triodos Bank offers ethical savings options that are fully transparent, publishing every organisation it lends to.

3. Green your pension

Your pension is likely the biggest pot of money you’ll ever have, which makes greening it one of the most powerful steps you can take.

Good Egg firm PensionBee recently launched its Climate Plan, which not only avoids fossil fuels but actively invests in  companies at the forefront of the transition to a low carbon economy.

4. Choose sustainable investments and ISAs

If you want to invest for the future while backing positive change, Good Egg companies can help.

EQ Investors offers its Positive Impact, Future Leaders and Climate Action portfolios, designed to combine financial returns with benefits for people and planet.  Triodos Bank also offers a range of impact investment funds through its Stocks and Shares ISA – from global equities to pioneering impact funds – all focused on companies and projects that deliver measurable social and environmental benefits.

5. Get advice from values-led experts

Making sense of your finances is easier with expert support. The good news is there are advisers who put ethics at the core of their service.

Good Egg companies Path Financial, Switchfoot Wealth and EQ Investors are trailblazers in ethical financial planning, helping clients align money with their values while planning for the future.

6. Invest in the renewable revolution

The UK is shifting rapidly towards cleaner, greener energy, and you can be part of it.

Good Egg company Thrive Renewables has been investing in wind, solar, hydro and battery storage for nearly 30 years, giving investors the chance to support the transition to 100 per cent clean energy.

7. Green your mortgage

If you’re buying or renovating a home, your mortgage can also make a difference.

Good Egg firm Ecology Building Society rewards borrowers who make energy-efficient improvements with discounts on its standard variable rate through its C-Change Mortgage. That means lower bills for you, and less carbon for the planet.

What is a Good Egg?

The Good Egg mark is a registered accreditation for financial services companies that can prove they make a positive impact. That means they improve the lives of their customers while also benefiting society and the environment.

Look for the Good Egg if you want a savings account, pension, mortgage or investment fund from a company that genuinely does the right thing.

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

If the recent surge in catastrophic weather events, biodiversity loss, and rising global inequality has left you wondering what you can do, one powerful step is to make sure your money is invested in solutions. Choosing a sustainable investment platform means your savings can help tackle climate change, protect the natural world, and support fairer opportunities worldwide.

Of course, investing is always a long-term commitment – your money is best left to grow steadily through the ups and downs of the market. As the saying goes, “it’s not about timing the market, but about time in the market” – and the earlier you start, the greater the impact you can have.

So if you’ve been thinking about getting started with sustainable investing but aren’t sure where to begin, here’s our guide to the top three easy-to-use sustainable investment platforms in the UK.

Simply EQ

What it is: Simply EQ is an online and phone-based investment offering from EQ Investors, a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ company.  It is positioned as a more accessible entry point into the EQ investing ecosystem.

Investing with impact isn’t just about doing good, it can also deliver competitive returns. Despite recent market turbulence, responsible funds have matched their mainstream peers over the last five years, while helping to tackle urgent issues such as climate change and social inequality.

If you want your money to reflect your values, the right financial adviser can help. Ethical advisers understand the sustainable investment landscape and can build portfolios that work for both your future and the planet’s.

Here are eight of the UK’s best ethical financial advisers in 2025.

EQ Investors – Jeannie Boyle

EQ Investors (EQ) has long championed impact investing. It holds the Good With Money Good Egg mark and runs its own charitable foundation. Jeannie Boyle, a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, launched EQ’s Positive Impact Portfolios. These actively invest in companies creating solutions to global challenges, while avoiding those that do harm. They can be held in ISAs and pensions.

EQ was named among the top 10 in the FT Adviser Top 100 Financial Advisers list 2024.

The firm offers a free initial consultation.

Path Financial

Path Financial was the first UK adviser to be founded with the sole aim of tackling climate change. It holds both a Good Egg mark and B-Corp status.

Founded in 2019 by David MacDonald, Path puts impact before profit. In 2021 it launched the UK’s first Climate Solutions Portfolio, designed for clients wanting their pensions and savings to fight the climate emergency.

Path offers a free initial consulation.

Switchfoot Wealth

Switchfoot Wealth believes all financial planning should be sustainable. Founded in 2018, it offers advice on pensions, life assurance, protection and investments.

A B Corp and ‘Good Egg’ firm, Switchfoot shows clients the real-world environmental and social impact of their money. Initial phone consultations are free.

Ethical Futures

Edinburgh-based Ethical Futures has been advising clients since 2005. The team helps people from all walks of life align their investments with their values, with no minimum income or investment required.

It only recommends responsibly managed or ethically screened investments. The first meeting is free.

Castlefield

Castlefield calls its approach “thoughtful investing.” It grew from a private banking group in 2002 and today specialises in managing money for charities and ethically minded individuals.

Castlefield also runs a grant-making charitable trust and offers philanthropy services through its partnership with The Charity Service.

In2 Planning – Tanya Pein

Tanya Pein is a specialist in sustainable investing and holistic financial planning. She has served as a Board Director of UKSIF and is currently on the board of the Learning Planet Institute.

She also trains charities on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.

Conscious Money – Cleona Lira

Cleona Lira is an independent chartered financial planner with a background in psychology. She works closely with clients to build portfolios that truly reflect their values.

She typically works with clients holding at least £400,000 in assets, with fees starting at £2,000.

Amber River True Bearing

Based in the North West, Amber River True Bearing is part of the wider Amber River group of independent advisers across the UK.

The firm ensures its 22 staff receive regular training in sustainable investment, helping clients embed ESG principles into their financial plans.

Want to be included?

Think your firm belongs on this list? Email lori.campbell@good-with-money.com.

FAQs about ethical financial advisers

What is an ethical financial adviser?
An ethical financial adviser helps clients invest in line with their values. For example, this could be avoiding fossil fuels, arms and tobacco, while backing companies that promote sustainability, equality and good governance.

Do ethical investments perform as well as traditional ones?
Yes, they can. Recent data shows responsible funds have kept pace with – and in some cases outperformed – mainstream funds over the past five years. Returns vary, but investing sustainably doesn’t have to mean sacrificing growth.

How do I choose an ethical financial adviser?
Look for independent financial advisers (IFAs) with experience in sustainable investing, and check for accreditations such as the Good Egg mark or B Corp status. Many offer a free initial consultation so you can see if their approach fits your goals.

Do I need a lot of money to see an ethical adviser?
Not always. Some firms specialise in clients with larger portfolios, while others – like Ethical Futures – have no minimum investment requirement. It depends on the adviser. However, as a rule of thumb, it’s usually worth seeing an adviser if you have over £50,000 in assets.

If you’d like to find out more about the above providers, a Which? membership gives you access to in-depth, expert reviews, ‘Best Buys’ and ‘Don’t Buys.’ 

For those with smaller sums to invest, see our best ethical DIY Stocks and Shares ISA providers in 2025.

If you want to have a savings account, insurance policy, investment fund or mortgage from companies that do the right thing, check out our Good Eggs.

These are companies that have passed strict (independent) criteria to prove they make a positive impact – to the planet, society, and you. 

Shoal is a new savings app that lets you put money aside with confidence, earn a competitive return, and help to support positive change in the world.  

Your savings are FSCS-protected and held with established British banks ClearBank and Standard Chartered. Behind the scenes, your deposits are linked to projects such as renewable energy, clean water, healthcare, and green transport.

Created by Algbra, a certified B Corp, Shoal helps you grow your savings securely while giving you clear insights into the positive outcomes your deposits help support.

The deal 

Shoal is on a mission to make sustainable finance accessible to everyone, not just those with specialist knowledge or large sums to invest. 

• Open a Savings Pot with as little as £1. 
• Terms are fixed (three, six, or 12 months) with competitive, guaranteed rates of return. 
• Every pound saved supports Standard Chartered’s sustainable finance portfolio, with 78 per cent directed to developing economies where the need for capital – and potential for impact – is often greatest. 
• Impact is tracked and audited. Savers can see the CO₂ avoided and clean water generated via the projects referenced against their deposits. Since its launch last year Shoal’s savers have already helped these projects generate more than one million litres of clean water and avoided over 300,000kg of CO₂. 
• Shoal offers the same competitive rates not just to individuals but also to charities and businesses, giving organisations a practical way to align their reserves with their values. 

Shoal also offers a practical solution for businesses and charities working towards ambitious net zero targets. Instead of relying solely on carbon credits or costly consultancy, organisations can put their cash reserves into Shoal savings pots. This way, they not only earn a return but also receive clear, audited data on the positive impact their money is having, such as CO2 avoided. 

User-friendliness  

Shoal has been built with simplicity in mind. The app is attractive, intuitive, and easy to use. 

• Signing up is quick, and it’s free. 
• Creating and managing Savings Pots is straightforward, with clear projections of your returns and sustainability impact. 
• Rates are locked in when you open a Pot, so there are no surprises. 
• Savings are FSCS-protected and capital is not at risk 
• A dedicated “impact space” shows the types of projects your savings are helping to support. 

 Sustainability credentials 

For every pound you deposit, Standard Chartered commits an equivalent amount from its balance sheet to its sustainable finance portfolio – funding projects like renewable energy, clean water, healthcare and green transport. This means your savings stay safe and are FSCS-protected while also being linked to real, sustainable impact.  

That portfolio includes loans and projects supporting:  

• Renewable energy such as solar and offshore wind 
• Electrified transport networks 
• Energy-efficient buildings 
• Access to clean water 
• Healthcare infrastructure 
• Microloans for entrepreneurs in low-income communities 

Unlike some impact platforms, you cannot choose specific projects to fund. Instead, your money helps support a broad portfolio.  

Unique selling points 

• Competitive returns with FSCS protection 
• Simple, low-minimum access (save from £1) 
• Measurable and audited sustainability impact 
• Free to use 
• Available to charities and businesses as well as individuals 

The plus points 

• Simple user experience and site design 
• Clear, guaranteed rates 
• No minimum deposit beyond £1 
• Impact calculator shows your personal contribution 
• Funds held with trusted institutions (ClearBank and Standard Chartered) 
• Organisations can also benefit, aligning reserves with sustainability goals 

Any drawbacks? 

• Savings Pots are fixed term, so you’ll need to be comfortable locking money away until maturity. 
• Funds help to support the entirety of Standard Chartered’s sustainable portfolio, so you can’t pick and choose individual projects. 
• While Standard Chartered has a strong sustainable finance framework and net zero targets, it does still provide services to some carbon-intensive sectors. 
• Shoal currently offers only fixed-term savings products, though it has plans to broaden its range over time. 

Cost of use 

Shoal is free to use. Its interest rates are very competitive with mainstream savings accounts, with the added benefit of a measurable sustainability impact. 

How this compares 

Shoal is one of very few FSCS-protected savings options with a clear ethical angle. It’s different from platforms like Ethex, Energise Africa or Abundance, which offer higher-risk investments in specific projects, often over longer terms. Shoal is simpler to use with guaranteed returns, but with less choice and less direct involvement in individual initiatives. 

It’s a strong option if you want a safe, simple place for your cash savings that also contributes to positive global impact. 

Other options to consider 

• Triodos Bank 
• Ecology Building Society 
• Tandem Bank

This article is in partnership with Shoal.

Menopause has finally entered mainstream conversation, but its financial impact is still often ignored. With career interruptions, the gender pay gap and rising health costs, many women face financial strain just as they hit peak earning years. Jeannie Boyle, financial planner at EQ Investors, explains how planning ahead with short, medium and long-term savings can help provide stability and choice during this transition.

A few years ago, the idea of a prime-time TV documentary about the menopause was unimaginable. It was something our mothers silently suffered through.

Now, largely thanks to Davina McCall, we’re more open about how the perimenopause and menopause affect us. Gen X women aren’t keeping quiet about how they are feeling.

If you’re a woman in your late 40s, it might feel like every conversation is about the perimenopause. Your social media feed is probably awash with information about the physical and emotional impacts you might feel, but the financial implications of menopause remain overlooked. All that collagen and ashwagandha costs money.

Understanding the financial challenge

The gender pay gap and career interruptions can mean we can get to our late 40s with a lower level of savings, investments and pensions as our male peers. Then perimenopause hits us as we reach our key earning years.

Research from AJ Bell’s Money Matters campaign, suggests that roughly one in 25 women reduce their working hours due to menopause, and one in 20 stops working altogether.

Clearly there is much to be done to make working environments better suited to women’s needs, but taking control of your own finances will give you more options during this phase of life.

How should we plan for this?

With clients in their 30s and 40s who want to build a financial plan, I talk about the need for three pots of money. The short term and long term pots are simple.

Your short term needs are covered by cash savings and your long term pot is your pension. But there’s also a less distinct medium term pot. You might not have a goal for this right now, but you don’t want it sitting in cash earning nothing and you don’t want it locked away until 57.

For women, this medium term pre-retirement ISA fund is so important. This is the money that’s going to give you more choices as you go through the perimenopause years. If your money has been working hard prior to hitting your late 40s, you’ll be able to deal with a reduction in income if you need to change how you are working or take some time off.

Ethex is a direct impact investment platform that makes it easy to invest in line with your values. It’s also the co-creator of Energise Africa, its sister platform supporting clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa.

The deal

Ethex is a UK-based direct impact investing platform that helps everyday investors to support projects that deliver positive social and environmental change.

Since launching in 2013, Ethex has raised more than £120 million for around 200 mission-driven organisations. From community-owned solar farms to affordable housing and zero-emission transport, the platform only backs initiatives that are building a fairer, greener future.

In 2017, Ethex co-created Energise Africa in partnership with Dutch platform Lendahand, taking its values global by helping to fund clean energy access for families across sub-Saharan Africa.

Unlike traditional funds, Ethex offers individual investment opportunities, meaning you choose exactly which projects you want to support and your money goes directly to fund those projects. Many are eligible for the Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) – so returns can be tax-free – and most have a low minimum investment of £50.

User-friendliness

• Simple to get started. Signing up is quick and intuitive, and the platform makes the risks of impact investing clear without overwhelming you with jargon.
  
• Clear project listings. Each investment shows exactly what it’s aiming to achieve, what the financials look like, and what you need to know about the risks and timeline.
• Easy investing. Once you’ve picked a project, you can start investing in just a few clicks. If you pay by debit or credit card, there’s a small transaction fee of around 0.9 per cent plus 5p.
• Regular updates. You’ll hear directly from the projects you support through progress reports and impact updates, so you can see the difference your money is making.

Sustainable investing options

Every investment opportunity on Ethex is selected for its ethical mission, including clean energy, fair finance, affordable homes, and more.

Returns vary depending on the project but typically range from four to nine per cent over one to seven years. Ethex therefore suits people who are happy to take a longer-term view in exchange for tangible impact.

What you need to know about Energise Africa

Unique selling points

• Direct impact. Pick and choose the projects that resonate with your personal values.
• Total transparency. Detailed reporting helps you track the real-world change you’re supporting.
• Meet the changemakers. Ethex hosts webinars with each organisation listed, so investors can meet the people behind the project and ask any questions
• Low minimum investment. Start with as little as £50.
• Trusted platform. £120 million+ has been invested so far and Ethex has glowing customer reviews (Trustpilot rating 4.6/5).
• Measurable outcomes. You’re not just growing your money – you’re helping to fund solutions.

The plus points

• Tax-free investing. Many projects qualify for the IFISA.
• No hidden charges. Fees are clearly explained upfront.
• Educational support. Handy resources help you understand the process and manage risk.
• Wide choice of investments. Projects span renewable energy, housing, transport, finance, and more.
• Engaged community. Ethex has built a loyal base of values-led investors.

Any drawbacks?

• Higher risk. These are illiquid, unsecured investments, which means your money is not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
• Longer time horizons. Most projects are designed to run over several years. Returns are not immediate, and depend on performance.

Cost of use

It’s free to register and browse the platform. If you choose to invest by card, you’ll pay a small fee of around 0.9 per cent plus 5p. Expected returns and any associated fees are clearly laid out within each investment opportunity.

How this compares

Compared with mainstream ethical funds, Ethex offers a much more hands-on and transparent experience. It’s ideal if you want to see exactly how your money is making a difference. You’re not paying for layers of management, but for the chance to support real change, project by project.

Other options to consider

• Energise Africa
• Abundance Investment
• Triodos Crowdfunding

Risk warning: Investments offered on the Ethex platform are not readily realisable, which means that they may be difficult to sell and you may get back less than you originally invested. Investments are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and returns are not guaranteed. If you are in any doubt, you should contact an Independent Financial Adviser.

This article is in partnership with Ethex.

Energise Africa is the sister platform to Ethex. It was created to tackle energy poverty and climate change by funding clean energy access for families and entrepreneurs in sub‑Saharan Africa, where 600 million people live off the grid without access to electricity. 

The deal  

Energise Africa is a UK-based impact investing platform that enables people to invest directly in solar businesses delivering clean, affordable energy solutions to off‑grid communities across sub‑Saharan Africa.  

Launched in 2017 by ethical investment platform Ethex in partnership with Dutch organisation Lendahand, the platform invites everyday investors to fund solar companies via bonds – a type of loan where you lend money for a fixed period in return for interest. These companies then deliver clean energy solutions, such as pay-as-you-go solar home systems to families in need, green mini-grids to help power entire rural communities, or electric vehicle solutions. Investors can target returns of up to eight per cent.

So far, Energise Africait has raised more than £44 million through investments, helping around 750,000 people to access solar electricity and avoiding around 870,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.  

You can start investing from just £50, and the projects are eligible for the Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA). This means your returns are tax‑free, subject to tax status. Bond terms typically run for between six months and four years, with expected returns of around four to eight per cent per year.  

User-friendliness  

• Hassle‑free setup. It takes about 15 minutes to open an account, complete ID checks, and get started.  
• Straightforward listings. Every investment offer includes clear information on what your money supports, the expected impact, repayment schedule (how your money will be paid back to you with interest), and risks.  
• Low minimum investment. You can begin with just £50, making ethical investing accessible.  
• Regular updates via your individual portfolio dashboard once account is opened. You’ll receive impact and progress reports from the solar businesses you support.

What you need to know about: Ethex

Sustainable investing options  

Energise Africa exclusively invests in solar power – including green mini grids –  for communities and small enterprises in Africa. Projects focus on replacing kerosene and polluting fuel, improving health, education, clean cooking, and economic opportunity in rural areas where there is no grid connection. 

Many of the projects supported are also creating local jobs through the distribution and maintenance of the systems, as well as supporting small businesses through clean energy access.  

Unique selling points  

• Real-world impact. Investment helps bring clean energy to underserved communities.
• Supports positive change. The opportunity to build a diverse portfolio of impact investments, supporting positive environmental, social and economic change for sub Saharan Africa
• Tax-efficient returns. All bonds qualify to be held within an IFISA.
• Low minimum investment. You can invest from just £50.
• Customer satisfaction. Average Trust Pilot reviews of 4.6 at time of writing
• Developed with impact-focused partners. Supported by CEI (for match funding), UK Aid, Virgin Unite, Good Energies Foundation and P4G.

 The plus points  

• Measurable impact. Over 750,000 people have had access to renewable energy to date.
• Transparent terms. Bond durations and expected interest rates are made crystal clear.  
• Match funded. Projects are match funded meaning your investment brings more impact 
• No hidden fees. All costs are built into the bond terms.  
• Short‑to-mid term. Bonds typically mature within up to four years.  
• Trusted platform. Its partnerships and governance are backed by experienced ethical investors.  

Any drawbacks? 

• Higher risk. These are unsecured bonds, and are not FSCS-protected, so your money isn’t guaranteed.
• Illiquid investments. Funds are tied up for the full term and no early withdrawals are allowed.  
• Returns are not guaranteed. Payments depend on the underlying business’s performance.  

Cost of use  

It’s free to set up an account, invest or explore. There are no platform fees and all costs are included in the terms of each bond. You can start with as little as £50, and any interest earned is clearly laid out. How this compares If you’re looking to align your money with global climate action beyond the UK, Energise Africa is a good choice. It blends positive impact and potential returns in a tax-efficient way.

Other options to consider  

• Ethex 
• Abundance Investment  
• Triodos Crowdfunding 

Risk warning: Investing with Energise Africa involves risk, including the loss of all of your capital, illiquidity (the inability to sell assets quickly or without substantial loss in value), and it should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio.

This article is in partnership with Energise Africa.

If you want your money to make a real difference, for both your future and the planet’s, sustainable investing is a powerful way to do it.

It’s not simply about avoiding harm; it’s about backing businesses that are actively creating positive change while aiming for strong financial returns. At Liontrust, our Sustainable Future funds have been investing in companies tackling major environmental and social challenges for more than 20 years.

Here are six interconnected reasons why sustainable investing is a meaningful way to drive change, and why it could be a great place to start if you’re new to investing.

1. Protecting the planet for future generations

The environmental pressures we’re facing are more serious than ever. According to scientists at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, we’ve already
crossed six out of nine critical boundaries that keep Earth stable. These include those related to climate, biodiversity and pollution. But there is room for optimism.

The recovery of the ozone layer, following the global ban on CFCs, shows what can happen when science, policy and business work together. Sustainable investment finds and invests early in companies that are part of the solution. For example, Trane Technologies and TopBuild improve energy efficiency in buildings. Trex uses recycled plastic and wood to make long-lasting decking. Waters Corporation and Oxford Instruments detect and monitor pollutants like microplastics and PFAS in water systems.

By backing these businesses, investors can support environmental restoration and help build a more resilient, resource-efficient future.

Read more here.

2. Improving health and quality of life

As the world’s population ages, healthcare systems are under growing pressure. At the same time, lifestyle-related health problems are becoming more common. Sustainable investors look for companies improving how we prevent, treat and manage health issues. Some firms, like Roche and Agilent, are focused on early diagnosis, helping detect diseases before they become more serious. Others, such as West Pharma, are developing advanced drug delivery systems to make new treatments more effective.

Then there are those working to improve quality of life through technology. Intuitive Surgical, for example, is a leader in robotic-assisted surgery, while The Gym Group makes exercise more affordable and accessible. Telemedicine companies and digital tools are also playing a growing role in helping people manage their health from home.

Sustainable investors can also push the healthcare sector to do better. Liontrust has long supported efforts to make medicine more accessible in lower-income countries, which has helped improve public health and open up new markets for pharmaceutical firms.

Read more here.

3. Raising standards in global supply chains

The global supply chains behind many of the products we use every day can come with serious ethical and environmental risks. Poor labour practices,
pollution and supply disruptions are just some of the issues that need addressing. Sustainable investors can influence companies to act more responsibly. For example, Liontrust raised concerns about cotton sourced from Xinjiang with Puma, leading the company to introduce independent testing to help eliminate links to forced labour.

Other examples include encouraging DFS to improve its sourcing of wood and leather and working with Trex to verify that the wood fibre in its products
came from certified, sustainable sources. When investors, non-profits and consumers demand better standards, companies are more likely to act. And those that do often prove more resilient and successful over the long term.

Read more here.

4. Building resilience to climate shocks

As the effects of climate change become more extreme, the need to protect communities and infrastructure has never been more urgent. Floods, droughts
and wildfires are becoming more frequent and damaging. Investment in resilience can help. Companies like Advanced Drainage Systems and Genuit PLC are improving how cities manage stormwater, using recycled materials to reduce flood risks.

Water utilities such as Severn Trent are modernising their systems, using sustainable bonds to fund upgrades that benefit the public without paying shareholder dividends. Technology also plays a part. Firms like Veralto develop tools that detect invisible pollutants like nitrates and PFAS, which helps prevent long-term environmental harm.

Meanwhile, housing providers such as Clarion Housing Group are improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency in homes, particularly in areas vulnerable to extreme weather. This kind of investment supports both public safety and environmental health.

Read more here.

5. Promoting good corporate governance

While it may not grab headlines, good corporate governance is one of the most important factors in long-term business success. It ensures companies are well run, manage risks effectively, and treat all stakeholders fairly.

Sustainable investors evaluate how companies are governed, including their approach to executive pay, board diversity and transparency. For example, Liontrust’s research has shown that companies with high governance scores significantly outperformed their peers over the past decade.

As shareholders, sustainable investors also vote on important issues. In 2024, Liontrust voted against management or abstained in nearly 70 per cent of
cases, often challenging practices that don’t align with responsible business leadership. Better governance leads to more resilient companies, and better outcomes for both investors and society.

Read more here.

6. Tackling digital threats

Cybersecurity is now a major risk for businesses and individuals. From stolen data to ransomware attacks, digital threats are becoming more common and more costly. Sustainable investors focus on both prevention and accountability. Companies like Palo Alto Networks and Visa offer advanced cybersecurity tools that protect billions of transactions each year. UK-based Softcat helps small businesses secure their systems without needing large in-house tech teams.

Investors can also push companies to strengthen their internal defences. This means encouraging strong policies, employee training, board-level oversight and clear communication about breaches. Liontrust has supported global efforts, such as those led by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), to improve transparency in how companies handle cyber incidents. It’s about building trust and security in a world that’s increasingly online.

Read more here.

Many of the roadblocks women face with money are based not in reality, but in beliefs we’ve absorbed over time.

Here are six common limiting beliefs – and how to move past them so you can get on the path to financial freedom.

1 “I’m not good at maths”

From an early age, we are led to believe that as females we are better at words than numbers. This myth can have lasting effects on our financial confidence. The truth is, you don’t need to be a maths whizz to manage your money or invest. You likely have all the numerical skills you need – you’ve just been conditioned to believe otherwise.

2 “I don’t understand finance”

You don’t need a finance degree – or a pinstripe suit – to be financially savvy. If you’re open to learning, you’ll quickly find that managing money is far less complex than it’s often made to seem.

In fact, research shows women may have a natural edge: by favouring diversified portfolios over risky personal bets, women tend to earn better long-term returns.

3 “I don’t have enough money to invest”

Investing isn’t just for the wealthy. Many platforms let you start with as little as £5 a month, though £50 is more typical.

If you have even a small amount of spare cash (meaning money not needed for essentials or debt repayment), you can and should start investing. The key is starting early and being consistent.

4 “My husband takes care of this sort of thing”

While many women manage day-to-day household spending, research from Royal London shows that men still tend to make the “big” financial decisions. But your partner probably isn’t more qualified than you – society may have simply nudged you into traditional roles.

A large-scale UK survey – “Sex Differences in Money Pathology in the General Population” – of around 100,000 participants found women are more likely to associate money with love and generosity, while men link it to power and freedom. Take some time to explore your own feelings about money – and how they might be holding you back.

5 “I have too much debt to invest”

Debt doesn’t always mean investing is off the table. It depends on the type of debt, how much you owe, and the interest rate.

If you’re on track to pay it off, make more than the minimum payments, and your debt isn’t costing you interest (e.g. you have a zero per cent credit card), you might consider investing. But – always avoid putting yourself at risk of more debt through investing.

6 “I’m just waiting for the right time”

Women like to be prepared and often delay investing. But waiting for the stars to align could mean missing out on valuable time for your money to grow.

The best time to start? Now – even if it’s just a small step.

Download our Good Guide to Financial Wellbeing for Women

Financial wellbeing means feeling secure and in control of your money – both now and in the future.

It’s a cornerstone of overall wellbeing, affecting everything from mental and physical health to our relationships and sense of freedom. But for many women, achieving this goal is harder than it should be.

Despite progress, the gender wealth gap remains stark. Women in the UK are still paid on average 6.9 per cent less per hour than men and have less than HALF the pension pot by retirement age. They also have £567 billion less invested than men – that’s greater than the GDP of Poland or Argentina.

This inequality is rooted in long-standing societal and industry stereotypes, with men considered the primary earners and financial decision makers.

But here’s the truth: when women do invest, they tend to outperform men. Digital bank Revolut found women’s investments outperformed men’s by four per cent on its platform last year.

With women living longer than men and taking more time out of work to care for children and elderly relatives (meaning our money has to stretch much further), it is REALLY important that we take control of our own finances, and as early as possible.

Our new Good Guide to Financial Wellbeing for Women – sponsored by ethical financial planners EQ Investors – is here to help you do exactly that.

Are you ready to make #FinancialWellbeing your new life goal?

Download the guide now.

A former coal mine is set to become a symbol of the clean energy transition, as the UK’s first community-owned solar park built using recycled panels launches a bond offer to investors.

The Whiteborough Solar Park in Nottinghamshire, developed by the Big Solar Co-op, opens a new investment opportunity today on the Ethex platform.

The offer gives individuals the chance to back a 3.5 MW solar farm built on a disused opencast coalfield. It has a minimum investment of £100 and a target return of 5.5 per cent per year. The bonds are eligible to be held in a tax-efficient Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA).

Around 35 per cent of the solar panels to be used in the project are being salvaged from a decommissioned UK solar farm, with the rest ethically sourced to avoid human rights abuses in the supply chain. In total, the site is expected to generate 3,000 MWh of electricity per year, which is enough to power hundreds of homes and save around 621 tonnes of CO₂e annually (the equivalent of taking 140 petrol cars off the road for a year).

Set to complete in late 2025, the initiative could become the UK’s first large-scale solar installation built primarily with second-life panels.

Top 4 platforms for your green IFISA

A solar future rooted in the past

Whiteborough’s history is deeply entwined with fossil fuels. Once a contributor to the UK’s coal-fired power during the Industrial Revolution, it is now being repurposed as a site for clean energy generation. The project that aims to balance low-carbon innovation with biodiversity and local empowerment.

The solar park’s design has been tailored to fit the local landscape, avoiding productive farmland and incorporating features to support nature. These include native hedgerow planting, wildflower-rich grassland and wildlife habitats.

Jon Halle, CEO of the Big Solar Co-op, said: “We got tired of waiting for someone else to unlock the huge potential of the UK’s rooftops and underused spaces for solar. So, we took action. Now, we’re inviting people across the country to join us, not just as investors, but as active changemakers in the
transition to clean energy using an open-cast mine.”

Democratising clean energy

The Big Solar Co-op is a growing, member-owned organisation with more than 1,100 supporters and 11 rooftop solar projects already installed. It plans to roll out more than 40 new solar installations, including panels on 26 Midcounties Co-operative stores, and aims to deliver 100MW of new capacity nationwide.

Lisa Ashford, CEO of Ethex, said the offer is about more than just returns. She added: “It’s a chance to be part of something bigger: a grassroots movement putting clean energy in the hands of communities. It is heartening to see a project that is taking advantage of making good use of very low grade disused land and has biodiversity as a goal in its build. At the same time, every pound invested supports the growing UK community-led energy movement while potentially earning an attractive return.”

In the future, the Whiteborough site could even sell its electricity directly to local households, reducing energy bills and increasing regional energy resilience.

Risk warning: As always with investing, your capital is at risk and you are encouraged to read the full Bond Offer Document and seek independent financial advice.

For more information or to invest, visit Ethex.

This article is from the Good Guide to Impact Investing, free to download here.

Choosing the right impact investment for you can and should be fun. Ask yourself what kind of an impact would you like to make? Are you passionate about fighting climate change, promoting biodiversity, reducing poverty, or strengthening local communities, for example?

Look for an investment that aligns your money with your ethical values and gets you excited. When you find one you like the look of, it is worth:

1. Reading their impact reports
2. Visiting the websites of some of their biggest holdings (the companies they invest in)

Positive fund, not so positive manager?

You might also want to consider the overall commitment of the fund manager to positive impact, not just the fund. Many big asset managers that are heavily invested in the bad stuff as a business overall now have impact funds. This is a good development, but the fund may represent a tiny fraction of their overall Assets Under Management (AUM – or the money they look after).

This may not sit well with you (it doesn’t much with us either). If that’s the case, choose a fund manager that SPECIALISES in positive impact – or embeds the approach across the business – to sift out some of the larger asset management houses.

You also need to think about your personal financial needs and goals:

• How much do you want to invest?
• How long do you want to invest for?
• What sort of return are you looking for?

Information about funds

The Good Investment Review is packed full of information about some of the top-rated ethical and sustainable funds available to UK investors.
The Big Exchange, co-founded by The Big Issue, only lists positive impact funds that are actively-managed. Each fund on the platform is awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal according to the level of positive impact it achieves.

Interactive Investor is a large investment platform that has usefully categorised ethical and sustainable funds into three baskets: “Avoids, Considers, Embraces”, depending on the extent to which they engage with environmental and social concerns as part of their process. The “Embrace” selection of funds contains impact funds.

Other big investment platforms, such as Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell and Charles Stanley offer search filters that show positive impact funds available in the UK.

Projects, funds and crowdfunds

Guide co-sponsor Ethex is an absolute gem for impact investors. It offers opportunities to invest directly in extraordinary organisations in the UK in key themes such as renewable energy, affordable homes, sustainable farming and ethical finance. You can see real life examples of the impact Ethex is making in our full guide.

Its latest report “10 Years of Making Money Do Good” reveals the incredible impact its investors have made. Since 2013, Ethex has helped more than 26,000 positive investors raise over £120 million by backing around 200 projects – that’s a lot of people-powered finance!

Ethex also lists impact products provided by other groups. On its funds list you can find the FP WHEB Sustainability Impact Fund, which invests in opportunities created by the move to a low carbon and sustainable global economy.

Its sister platform Energise Africa allows you to invest from £50 in bonds that help ethical businesses in Africa and beyond to accelerate achievement of the SDGs, including supplying life-changing solar energy to homes and businesses.

Triodos Crowdfunding also offers you the opportunity to invest in organisations making a positive impact socially, culturally and environmentally.

Impact via apps

Money app Moneybox has a range of ‘socially responsible’ funds that take into account companies’ records on ESG (environmental, social and governance) such as how they respond to climate change, treat their workers and manage their supply chains.

Wealthify offers five Ethical Plans – separated to match different risk appetites – with funds from respected providers including Kames Capital and EdenTree.

The Good Egg

You will also find a list of top-rated fund managers and advisers at Good With Money’s Good Egg page, where we list companies awarded the Good Egg mark. The mark means they can prove they make a positive difference to the planet and people, as well as to their
customers and staff.

Assessing an impact fund

This is the tricky bit. How do you know who to really trust with your money? While the industry adapts to new FCA rules on greenwash, it’s always worth a little homework yourself.

Areas to look at when assessing a fund are:

• The companies it invests in
  transparency (you should be able to see more than just the top 10 holdings)
• Frequency of reporting
• Depth of information given

If you don’t have the time to do the research yourself, again the Good Investment Review is a fantastic source of reliable information, with funds rated against the ‘3D Framework’ of ‘Do good’, ‘Avoid harm’ and ‘Lead change’.

Impact wealth managers and advisers

When you’ve got a pot of cash to invest, you might want a bit more input from a professional about what to do with it.

That’s where wealth managers and financial advisers come in. Generally speaking, their fees mean that it only makes financial sense to use an adviser if you have quite a bit of money – around £50,000 ish – to invest. But that’s not always the case and even if it is less than that, it can be worth seeing whether you can have a short initial (free) consultation. Try our Good Egg companies: EQ Investors, Switchfoot Wealth and Path Financial.

According to the FCA, financial advisors charge an average initial fee of 2.4 per cent of your investment and 0.8 per cent a year for ongoing advice. As well as our Good Eggs, check out our ‘Top ethical financial advisers’ and the Good With Money Directory for a solid starting point.

Investing directly into impact projects and companies

Investing in just one company or project is, typically, more risky than investing in lots of companies. However, your money may also have a bigger impact. In smaller projects, a few hundred pounds can make a big difference to communities, often enabling them to survive and thrive.

Investing in small organisations not listed on main stock markets (unlisted) has become much more accessible in recent years, with platforms including Ethex, Energise Africa and Triodos Crowdfunding allowing investors to put money directly into projects for low minimum amounts.

The types of opportunities on offer can range from small solar to huge hydropower projects, funding a local community centre, creating community-owned affordable homes or backing a sustainable brewery. Many of these investments are eligible for inclusion in the Innovative Finance ISA, meaning investors can also keep their gains completely tax-free. As these types of investments are high risk, the FCA recommends investors not put more than 10 per cent of their investible wealth into unlisted companies or projects in any one year.

Risk warning: All investments carry risk. The value of your investment may go down as well as up, and you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Consider seeking independent financial advice before making any investment decisions.

When people think about doing good with their money, they often picture investing in sustainable companies through the stock market. But there’s another powerful, fast-growing way to support positive change: ESG-labelled bonds. 

These are bonds – a type of investment where you lend money to a company or government – that are specifically designed to fund projects with environmental or social benefits, such as clean energy, green infrastructure or affordable housing. Like other bonds, they aim to give you a financial return too.  

Last year alone, more than $1 trillion (£780 billion) worth of ESG-labelled bonds were issued globally. It’s a clear sign that sustainability is becoming a major force in financial markets.  

But some of these bonds deliver more impact than others, and it’s important to know what to look for before you invest. 

What are ESG-labelled bonds?  

ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance – the three pillars of responsible business practices. ESG-labelled bonds are issued to fund projects that tackle issues in these areas. 

There are a few different types: 

• Green bonds – used for environmental projects, like wind farms or energy-efficient buildings 

• Social bonds – support social causes like healthcare, education, or housing 

• Sustainability bonds – fund a mix of green and social projects 

• Sustainability-linked bonds – where companies commit to broader ESG goals like cutting carbon emissions, and can face financial penalties if they fall short 

Today, around 16 per cent of bonds issued by European companies and 11 per cent by UK (sterling) companies are ESG-labelled. Green bonds still lead the way, but other types are catching up fast. 

Bonds vs shares: what’s the difference? 

Investing in shares means owning part of a company and sharing in its profits. Bonds, on the other hand, are more like loans. When you buy a bond, you’re lending money to a company or government and in return, they agree to pay you interest and repay the full amount later. 

Bonds are generally considered lower-risk than shares, offering more stability but potentially lower returns. Because of this, bond investors place great emphasis on avoiding nasty surprises such as defaults or sudden downturns.  

That’s why at Liontrust we typically invest in larger, more established companies that have already proven they can weather economic ups and downs. 

Are ESG bonds always a good thing? 

The rise of ESG-labelled bonds is encouraging. It means more capital is being directed to projects that fight climate change, improve public services and support fairer societies. For anyone wanting their money to reflect their values, these bonds can feel like a straightforward choice. 

But – and it’s a big but – not all ESG-labelled bonds are created equal. 

When you buy one of these bonds, you’re not just funding a specific project, you’re investing in the company or organisation as a whole. So even if the project itself is green, the wider business might not be. 

For example, some oil and gas companies have issued green bonds. But if their core business still revolves around fossil fuels, the environmental benefit of your investment may be far less than it seems. 

This is why it’s crucial to look beyond the label. 

How we assess ESG bonds 

At Liontrust, our Sustainable Investment team has been analysing sustainable investments for more than 20 years. Before we invest in any bond, we ask: 

• Does the company’s main activity contribute positively to society or the environment? 

• Are they managing ESG risks (like carbon emissions or worker rights) effectively? 

• Is the company financially healthy enough to pay back its debt? 

We combine this ESG research with traditional financial analysis to ensure we’re investing not just ethically, but wisely too. 

A thematic approach to bond investing 

While equity investing often involves backing smaller companies with long-term growth potential, bond investing is about stability and resilience. Our focus is on larger companies with strong credit profiles and reliable cash flows. 

We also use a thematic approach, targeting companies aligned with one of our 22 sustainable investment themes, from clean energy to healthcare innovation. That might mean our bond portfolios look a bit different to our equity ones – with fewer high-growth tech names, and more in sectors like utilities, telecoms and financials – but the goal remains the same: investing in companies helping to shape a better future. 

Risk warning: All investments carry risk. The value of your investment may go down as well as up, and you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Consider seeking independent financial advice before making any investment decisions.

If you’re looking for a quick answer, here’s our list of the best pocket money apps / bank accounts

• GoHenry: a popular, feature-rich pocket money app with a parent account, customisable kids’ debit card, and built-in financial education through “Money Missions”.
• Starling Kite: a dedicated space within your Starling app where your child can use their own debit card, while you retain full control.
• Natwest Rooster Money: focuses on helping children understand earning, saving and spending through visual tools and goal setting.
• Hyperjar: the free debit card can be used online and in shops (no ATM withdrawals), with parental controls and notifications built in.
• Revolut -18: aimed at teenagers and digital-native families. It includes budgeting features, instant spending notifications and travel-friendly card features.

Here’s what to check:

• Monthly fees – some apps charge subscriptions, while others are free with certain bank accounts.
• Parental controls – check whether you can set spending limits, block retailers or receive instant alerts.
• Savings tools – look for savings pots, jars or goal tracking to encourage good habits.
• Educational features – quizzes, chores and money lessons can help children learn financial responsibility.
• Age suitability – some apps are better for younger children, while others are designed for teens.
• Bank account or prepaid card – prepaid cards offer more parental oversight; bank accounts can help older teens build independence.
• ATM and travel features – useful if your child needs cash access or spends abroad.
• Additional features – check whether the provider is FCA-regulated and how funds are protected; and of course, Good With Money will always urge you to consider the ethics of the underlying provider.

In an increasingly cashless world, pocket money has gone digital.

For many families, coins and notes have been replaced by apps and prepaid cards that help children learn how to earn, save and spend. With built-in parental controls, these tools can offer a balance between independence and oversight – giving kids real-world money experience in a safe, structured way.

Used well, they can also open up early conversations about habits, choices and the value of money.

Here are our top pocket money and kids’ debit card apps in 2026.

Best children’s money and debit card apps (2026) – at a glance

1. Starling Kite

If you already have a Starling Bank account, Starling Kite is a strong option for children aged 6 to 15. It’s a dedicated space within your Starling app where your child can use their own debit card, while you retain full control.

You can set spending limits, block certain types of purchases, and instantly lock the card if lost. Kite also allows family and friends to send money via a unique “KiteLink”.

Children can earn interest on savings balances (rate may vary), helping to encourage regular saving habits.

Cost: Free (must be a Starling customer)
Best for: Starling users looking for a simple, fee-free option

See our full review of Starling Bank

2. GoHenry

GoHenry is a popular, feature-rich pocket money app with a parent account, customisable kids’ debit card, and built-in financial education through “Money Missions”.

Parents can set pocket money payments, assign tasks, monitor spending, and even add savings or investment features. It’s suitable for children from age six through to teens preparing for financial independence.

Cost: From £3.99 per month per child (higher tiers available)
Best for: All-in-one features and financial education

An historic woodland in Somerset is being brought back to life with the help of sustainable finance.

Triodos Bank – a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ company – has provided a £1.5 million loan to support a major rewilding initiative in the ancient Selwood Forest.

The funding has enabled the purchase of a 133-acre site known as Hicks Park Wood, which will help create a connected, landscape-scale network of restored habitats across the region. The project focuses on letting nature take the lead, with native plants regenerating naturally and grazing animals playing a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, improving biodiversity, and enriching the soil.

3 investment funds fighting deforestation

Bringing history and nature back to life

Hicks Park Wood is an ancient woodland dating back to the 13th century, once part of the Saxon Selwood Forest. Traditional forest management will support habitat restoration, helping native oak woodlands thrive and encouraging biodiversity.

In the first phase, non-native conifers will be selectively removed to increase sunlight and stimulate native regeneration. After this, a low-intervention approach will allow forests, grasslands, and wetlands to recover naturally.

Free-roaming grazing animals such as Longhorn cattle, Tamworth pigs, Exmoor ponies, and red deer will act as ecosystem engineers, shaping vegetation and improving soil health. Wetland restoration will include re-meandering streams to enhance water quality and reduce flooding risk for local communities.

Connecting people, wildlife, and landscapes

The project will also improve public access by restoring nature trails and aims to expand educational opportunities for local schools, inspiring future generations in conservation.

By linking with nearby rewilding sites, Hicks Park Wood strengthens ecological corridors across the region, supporting species recovery on a much larger scale.

Triodos Bank’s commitment to nature

Triodos Bank specialises in financing nature-based solutions that help tackle climate change and ecological decline while delivering social benefits. The bank previously supported Heal Rewilding with a nearby land purchase in 2023 and Avon Needs Trees with a 422-acre acquisition between Bristol and Bath.

Laura Rumph, senior relationship manager at Triodos Bank UK, said: “As a sustainable bank, we are supporting the restoration of biodiversity and protection nature in the UK. Both are essential in addressing the interconnected climate and ecological emergencies that we face.

“Nature will only recover if it has far more space to thrive. We are excited to see how Hicks Park Wood progresses and hope to be able to support similar landscape-scale initiatives nationwide that are advancing more connected and coordinated rewilding efforts.”

Triodos has committed over €500 million (£427 million) globally to support nature-based solutions by 2030. This aligns with its mission to create a society that protects and promotes quality of life for all, with human dignity at its core.

Deforestation is one of the biggest drivers of climate change, responsible for around 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Forests are essential for storing carbon, protecting biodiversity, regulating water cycles and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people.

Yet through our pensions and investments, many of us are unwittingly funding forest destruction. Every year, around 10 million hectares of forest are lost- an area roughly the size of Portugal – as billions of pounds flow into companies and financial institutions linked to deforestation.

The good news is that a growing number of investment funds are working to reverse this trend, by financing sustainable forestry, excluding high-risk industries, and supporting nature-based solutions.

Here are three funds with forest protection at the heart of their sustainability strategy:

1. Triodos Pioneer Impact Fund

Focus: Thematic impact investing in sustainability pioneers

Why it’s good: Triodos is one of Europe’s most ethical and transparent asset managers, with a strong commitment to using finance as a force for good. Its Pioneer Impact Fund invests in small and medium-sized companies that are driving the transition to a sustainable economy, across themes like renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable food and water, and biodiversity.

Forest protection fits within this wider environmental focus, with the fund backing businesses involved in reforestation, sustainable land use, and the development of alternatives to deforestation-linked materials like conventional palm oil and soy.

It also screens out businesses involved in fossil fuels, unsustainable agriculture, and commodities that are major drivers of forest loss such as beef and palm oil from uncertified sources.

Triodos – a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ company – also publishes detailed impact reports, allowing investors to see the real-world environmental and social outcomes of their portfolio.

Top 4 deforestation-free banks

2. Regnan Global Equity Impact Solutions Fund

Focus: Environmental and social impact, with an emphasis on “life on land”

Why it’s good: This fund is designed to deliver measurable, positive outcomes for people and the planet. It invests in companies that are actively contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly those linked to climate action, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and the protection of ecosystems.

The portfolio includes businesses working on reforestation, regenerative farming, natural capital management and other nature-based solutions. Regnan’s proprietary impact framework helps ensure these companies are not just avoiding harm but actively helping to solve environmental challenges, including deforestation.

With a science-led approach and strong transparency, Regnan regularly reports on the real-world impact of its holdings, helping investors see how their money is making a difference.

Top 7 ethical pension funds in 2025

3. Stewart Investors Worldwide Sustainability Fund

Focus: High-quality companies in emerging markets with strong sustainability practices

Why it’s good: Stewart Investors takes a long-term, values-driven approach to sustainability, focusing on companies with strong governance and a commitment to positive environmental and social outcomes.

The fund is particularly focused on the risks of deforestation in emerging markets, where many companies operate in sectors like agriculture, materials, and consumer goods. It avoids firms with poor supply chain practices or links to destructive land use, such as unsustainable palm oil or soy production.

Instead, the team actively seeks out companies contributing to better land management, whether through regenerative agriculture, sustainable food systems, forest certification, or biodiversity conservation.

Stewart Investors also stands out for its in-depth engagement with portfolio companies, encouraging long-term thinking and improved environmental practices, especially in areas vulnerable to forest loss.

Risk warning: The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research or consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.

If you’re a baby boomer there’s a good chance that you’re not only dealing with your own needs and those of your children, but the needs of your parents as well.

Talking about money with aging parents can be one of the most fraught conversations you’ll have. For your parents, there’s the fear of losing control. For you, there’s the balancing act between respecting parents’ boundaries and ensuring they’ve planned out their financial future.

You don’t need to analyse your parents’ financial status down to the last penny, but you do need to cover the basics and make sure there are no surprises for them, or yourself.

As your parents enter their seventh decades and beyond, here are five questions you should be asking:

1. Do you have a record of assets and important documents and where they are held?

One of the biggest estate planning mistakes is just simply that you don’t know where everything is that your parents own. If they haven’t already, ask them to put it all in one folder in a safe place that’s easy for you to find. The folder should contain a list of their bank, pension and investment accounts and the account numbers. Web-based storage services are increasingly popular. Storing them digitally can also keep your parents record from getting lost, or falling into the hands of identify thieves.

2. Do you have a financial plan in place to preserve your wealth? And, most importantly, when was the last time that you reviewed it?

Our parents are living for longer, increased life expectancy means a 65 year old woman can expect to reach 90 on average. It’s important to understand which sources your parents rely on to supply income? Do they have a generous final salary pension they rely on for
example?

In case of an emergency, it’s important that you know how to contact your parent’s financial adviser, solicitor or accountant – if they have one.

3. Have you made a will and is there anything out of the ordinary we should be aware of?

Make sure your parents have an up-to-date will. If the will is more than five years old, it might be worth you suggesting they review it to make sure their current wishes are reflected. Ask if there are any specific requests that they want to discuss now – we’ve all read about the woman that left £1m to her pet dog.

In addition, it’s worth checking the beneficiaries of their life insurance policies or pensions are as they want them to be? These are legally binding documents that may override bequests made in their will.

4. Have you considered putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document where someone nominates a trusted friend or relative to look after their affairs if they lost capacity. The most important thing about creating a lasting power of attorney is that it is addressed sooner rather than later – many aren’t sure when the time is right.

You can explore the option for LPA at any time, as long as your parents are mentally stable and fully consent to the signing of LPA agreement. Without the appropriate LPA in place you may find you are not able to make a choice on their behalf, and you won’t have access to their finances in order to make any payments required.

5. If you can no longer take care of yourself, when and where would you consider moving?

Exploring whether your parents have thought about what they’ll do when they can no longer maintain a big garden or climb stairs is a difficult question at the best of times. Who wants to be reminded of their own mortality? In the event of an illness or worse, you’ll need to address whether they want to stay in their own home or move near you or a sibling. Would they want in-home care? Would they prefer moving to an assisted living facility, and if so, to any one in particular?

If your parent loses the ability to remain independent over time, you can gradually take over responsibilities. However, be sure to balance the risks of no oversight with the mistake of overstepping boundaries.

Many first-time buyers are still missing out on up to £1,000 a year in free government bonuses by not saving into a Lifetime ISA (LISA).

As house prices climb and sustainable investing grows in popularity, it’s more important than ever to make your money work harder – while staying true to your values.

A Lifetime ISA is a tax-free savings account offering a 25 per cent government bonus on up to £4,000 saved per year. That’s up to £1,000 a year, or potentially £10,000 over ten years – free money to help you buy your first home (priced under £450,000) or fund your retirement from age 60.

However, many are missing out. In the 2022-23 tax year, just 56,100 people used a LISA to buy their first home, while around 300,000 mortgages were completed by first-time buyers. That means up to 243,900 eligible savers may have lost out on a collective £243 million or more in unused bonuses.

Despite calls for reform, including a higher property price cap and fairer withdrawal rules, LISAs remain a powerful savings tool. Just bear in mind that if you withdraw for anything other than a first home or retirement, there’s a 25 per cent penalty, which can cost more than your bonus.

Here are three of the best ethical Lifetime ISA providers for 2025.

Moneybox

Fees: £1 per month (free for 3 months), platform fee 0.45 per cent, fund fees 0.12–0.30 per cent
Cash LISA interest: 4.50 per cent AER for the first year (then 3.30 per cent)

Moneybox is a simple, app-based savings platform that lets you round up spare change and direct it into savings or investments – including your Lifetime ISA. It offers both Cash LISAs and Stocks and Shares LISAs, making it a great starting point if you’re just getting into saving or investing.

Its ethical investing options are strong for beginners: the platform offers three risk-based portfolios (Cautious, Balanced, Adventurous), each of which can be toggled to a “Socially Responsible” version. These invest in global companies screened for strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

If you’re more confident, you can build your own portfolio and choose funds that reflect your values. Moneybox primarily uses low-cost ETFs and tracker funds, which helps keep fees down. Just bear in mind that passive investing like this may have less direct impact than active fund choices. Moneybox has a useful “Housemates” feature, which enables you to track your savings progress alongside your buying partner’s.

Best for: New savers looking for simplicity, strong app features, and the option to go green without deep investment knowledge.

AJ Bell

Minimum investment: £25
Fees: 0.25 per cent (max £3.50 per month), fund fees vary

AJ Bell gives you access to a huge range of ethical investing options and is one of the best platforms if you want to take more control over your Stocks and Shares LISA. It offers screened ESG funds, as well as a curated list of actively-managed sustainable funds.

One standout option is the AJ Bell Responsible Growth Fund, which excludes harmful industries (like fossil fuels and arms) and invests in companies with positive ESG practices. This fund is largely made up of ETFs, so while it’s cost-effective, it’s still passively managed overall.

If you’re looking for more targeted ethical impact, AJ Bell’s Favourite Fund list includes excellent actively-managed choices such as Liontrust Sustainable Future Global Growth, Liontrust Sustainable Future UK Growth and Royal London Sustainable Leaders.

For those who prefer a simpler interface and lower fees, AJ Bell also runs Dodl, its minimalist investment app, which offers themed responsible investing portfolios like “A Greener World” and “The Good Guys”. These are tracker-based but align with ESG principles.

Best for: Ethical DIY investors who want wide fund choices and value for money, or those ready to step up from simpler platforms.

Hargreaves Lansdown

Minimum investment: £25/month
Fees: 0.25 per cent annual management fee (on funds), capped at £45 per year for shares

As the UK’s largest investment platform, Hargreaves Lansdown offers scale, service, and a huge range of investment options, including more than 3,700 funds, ETFs, investment trusts, and bonds.

While HL has traditionally been more mainstream, it now offers a growing range of sustainable funds suitable for your Stocks and Shares LISA. A leading ethical pick is the Legal & General Future World ESG Developed Index, which avoids investments in coal, tobacco, controversial weapons, and companies violating UN principles.

Best for: Savers who want access to one of the UK’s largest ethical fund selections and a trusted, full-service platform.

Plum

Minimum investment: £1
Fees: No fee for the basic plan; £2.99 per month for Plum Pro (includes Stocks and Shares LISA access)

Plum is a smart, automated money app that helps you save, budget, and invest with minimal effort. It now offers a Stocks and Shares Lifetime ISA, available through its Plum Pro plan, making it a flexible entry point for younger savers looking to build their first home deposit or retirement pot.

Plum uses AI to analyse your spending habits and move small amounts into savings or investments automatically, helping you build your LISA pot without thinking about it too much.

Its ESG-themed portfolio “Clean & Green” focuses on companies involved in renewable energy, clean water, and environmentally responsible business practices. As with Moneybox, Plum takes a low cost, passive investment approach (using ETFs).

Though Plum doesn’t give you the depth of fund choice that platforms like AJ Bell or HL do, its simplicity and automation make it a great stepping stone for savers who want to start ethically but aren’t ready to build their own portfolio from scratch.

Savers who want a hands-off, app-driven way to invest ethically with minimal effort.

Risk warning: With investment, your capital is at risk. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Other ethical options for a Cash Lifetime ISA include Skipton Building Society, Newcastle Building Society, and Bath Building Society. 

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

Is your bank funding climate change? 

As the climate crisis accelerates, many of the world’s biggest banks – including several household names in the UK – continue to pour billions into fossil fuel projects, despite public commitments to reach net-zero emissions. If you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, your bank account could be undermining your efforts.

The truth is: your money might be funding climate change without you even knowing it.

Here, we reveal the worst banks for fossil fuel financing – and recommend ethical alternatives that support a sustainable, fossil-free future.

1. JP Morgan Chase

JP Morgan Chase is the world’s largest funder of fossil fuels. Between 2016 and 2023, the US-based banking giant poured over $430 billion (£317 billion) into the oil and gas industry. It was also the first bank to fund oil and gas extraction in the Amazon rainforest.

In 2021, JP Morgan Chase launched a UK-based digital bank – Chase. Chase was crowned “Best British Bank” at the British Bank Awards in 2023 and 2024, despite its parent company’s poor ethical record.

Ethical Consumer has given the Chase current account a “red” rating – the worst possible – due to its devastating environmental impact. JP Morgan Chase also owns the investment platform Nutmeg, raising further concerns for eco-conscious consumers.

2. Barclays

Barclays continues to hold the title of the UK and Europe’s largest fossil fuel financier. Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2016, Barclays has invested over $235.2 billion (£173 billion) into coal, oil, and gas projects. The bank has been especially active in environmentally sensitive areas, including the Arctic, where it provided $132 billion (£105 billion) for drilling projects between 2015 and 2020.

Despite shareholder pressure, Barclays has made only limited policy changes, including a vague commitment to reduce its involvement in tar sands. While it has pledged to stop financing new or expanded coal mines and plants directly, this does not cover all coal-related financing. Critics, including Banking on Climate Chaos, say the bank’s current policies fall far short of what’s needed to align with the Paris climate targets.

3. HSBC and First Direct

HSBC has also been a major global funder of fossil fuels, investing $192.2 billion (£141.5 billion) between 2016 and 2023. Its past projects include significant contributions to oil and gas extraction in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta region. In 2023, under pressure from investors and environmental groups, HSBC announced it would no longer provide financing for new oil and gas fields. While this marked progress, critics argue that its policy does not go far enough.

Banking on Climate Chaos notes that HSBC’s exclusions only apply to some fossil fuel projects and not to companies as a whole – leaving the door open to continued funding of the industry.

Top 5 ethical current accounts

4. Santander

Santander invested $78.9 billion (£58 billion) into the fossil fuel sector between 2016 and 2023. Although it has made some minor updates to its oil and gas policy – such as excluding certain upstream oil projects – the bank continues to finance major parts of the oil and gas value chain.

In addition, Santander has been linked to mining operations that impact Indigenous lands in the Amazon. According to Amazon Watch, the bank provided hundreds of millions in underwriting and investments to mining companies operating in these sensitive areas, raising serious concerns about its environmental and social impacts.

5. Natwest/ Royal Bank of Scotland

NatWest Group, which includes Royal Bank of Scotland, invested $27.4 billion (£20.2 billion) into fossil fuels between 2016 and 2023. In 2024, however, it pledged to stop financing new clients involved in fossil fuel projects and committed to phasing out support for existing ones by the end of 2025. These moves mark a positive step, but campaigners will be watching closely to ensure the bank follows through with clear action.

6. Lloyds Bank

Between 2016 and 2023, Lloyds Bank invested $21.6 billion (£17.1 billion) in fossil fuels. In October 2022, Lloyds announced it would stop financing fossil fuel “projects.” However, this only applies to specific projects – not entire fossil fuel companies. This means that while the bank may no longer fund individual oil rigs, it can still support the companies that build and operate them. In December 2024, the UK’s advertising regulator banned an advert by Lloyds Bank about its “low carbon” policies for being misleading.

Although Lloyds has expressed a commitment to helping clients develop transition plans, critics argue that without more stringent exclusions, its current policies are largely symbolic.

The UK’s most ethical banks and building societies

Where to put your money for climate impact

A handful of banks have fully committed to ensure that your money won’t go to oil, gas or coal.

The gold standard in ethical banking is Triodos Bank,  which goes further than simply avoiding the bad stuff – it only invests your money to make a positive impact on the planet and society.

For ethical current accounts, we also like Nationwide Building Society and The Co-operative Bank as well as digital challengers such as Starling Bank. A recent report by Which? named The Co-operative Bank and Triodos as their Eco Providers. It found they have no exposure to fossil fuels in their banking activities.

For ethical savings accounts, we like the above as well as Charity Bank, Coventry Building Society, Ecology Building Society, Gatehouse Bank and Tandem Bank.

Why switching to green energy matters in 2025

Switching to a green energy supplier is one of the most impactful steps individuals can take to combat climate change. Around 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from burning fossil fuels for electricity and heating – making the energy sector both the largest contributor to the climate crisis and a powerful part of the solution.

To meet global climate goals, emissions must be halved by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. That starts with replacing fossil fuels with renewable electricity from wind, solar, hydro, and biogas – clean energy sources that are naturally replenished and emit little to no carbon.

Here are our top five green energy suppliers in the UK:

Ecotricity

Ecotricity is one of the UK’s leading green electricity suppliers, offering 100 per cent renewable energy from wind, solar, and hydro sources. It also stands out as a certified vegan energy provider, meaning its gas and biomass sources are completely animal-free.

Its gas offering includes a combination of carbon-offset natural gas and a growing proportion of biomethane produced from grass cuttings via its pioneering “green gasmills.”

With no shareholders, Ecotricity reinvests all profits into developing new forms of renewable energy. It maintains a strict no-greenwashing policy and was named a Which? Eco Provider for the fourth year running in 2024.

Ecotricity was the first energy company to call for a halt on deep sea mining. Its website has a Carbon Footprint Calculator to help customers reduce their environmental impact and recently launched a smart grid scheme to boost grid-wide renewable usage and cut customer costs.

While not the cheapest provider, Ecotricity prioritises sustainability over price. It says: “We set our prices at a level that allows us to do our job of building new sources of green energy – as we seek to end the use of fossil fuels in the energy sector.”

How to cut energy bills by greening your home

100 Green

100Green is the only green energy supplier in the UK offering 100 per cent fossil-free electricity and gas on all tariffs – hence the name. The electricity comes from certified solar, wind, and hydro sources. Its green gas is produced via anaerobic digestion of farm, food, and landfill waste and is traceable to its source.

Ethical Consumer ranks 100Green a ‘Best Buy’, and it holds an ‘Eco Provider’ badge from Which? It also has a solid 4-star rating on Trustpilot.

100Green is ideal for those who want a truly fossil-free energy supplier – though it does come at a premium compared to more mainstream providers.

Good Energy

Good Energy is frequently ranked among the best renewable electricity companies in the UK, thanks to its direct support of more than 2,000 independent UK generators. Unlike providers who rely heavily on green certificates, Good Energy matches customers’ usage with genuine renewable power and pays a fair rate to generators, helping to grow the sector.

It has a ‘Best Buy’ rating from Ethical Consumer, a joint top ranking in Which?’s 2024 eco energy review, and Uswitch Gold accreditation on all tariffs.

While only around 10 per cent of its gas is biogas, the rest is carbon-offset through international clean energy projects like biogas digesters in India and China.

Find your home’s EPC rating and personalised recommendations for making it greener

Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy is now one of Europe’s largest investors in renewable power, managing over 300 green energy sites in the UK and aiming to power 50 million homes worldwide by 2027. It sources electricity through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with more than 190 UK-based renewable generators and has started developing its own sites, including wind turbines in East Yorkshire and South Wales.

Its Super Green tariff offers 100 per cent renewable electricity and carbon-offset gas, while its Smart Green tariffs incentivise using energy during periods of low carbon intensity. Octopus is especially popular with electric vehicle drivers thanks to its smart EV tariffs.

The Octopus Fan Club offers discounted energy rates – up to 50 per cent off to customers living near its wind turbines when the wind is strong. Octopus also topped Which?’s customer satisfaction survey in 2024 and holds a near-perfect 4.8-star Trustpilot rating.

However, in 2023, the company faced criticism from Friends of the Earth for funding a waste incinerator project in Scotland—something to be aware of if ethical sourcing is a top priority for you.

3 energy suppliers that reward you for going green

SO Energy

SO Energy offers some of the most affordable renewable electricity tariffs in the UK, while still giving customers a voice in how their power is sourced. Launched in 2015, it is a smaller green supplier known for transparency and value. In 2021, it merged with Ireland’s ESB Energy to strengthen its green credentials.

SO Energy supplies 100 per cent renewable electricity and allows customers to vote annually on how their power is sourced – whether from wind, solar, hydro, or biomass – making it the only provider to offer this level of engagement.

The company pledges to keep its fixed tariffs among the best-value green options on the market, making it a strong choice for budget-conscious consumers looking to go green.

If you’d like to find out more about the above providers, a Which? membership gives you access to in-depth, expert reviews, ‘Best Buys’ and ‘Don’t Buys.’

Good With Money occasionally uses affiliate links to providers or offers, where relevant. This means that if you open an account or buy a service after following the link, Good With Money is paid a small referral fee. We choose our affiliates carefully and in line with the overall mission of the site.

Risk warning: Your capital is at risk and unlike other ISAs, IFISAs are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)

If you’re keen to invest directly in projects that are working to create positive change, you can do so through an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA).

An IFISA is a type of ISA that allows you to include investments that have been made via crowdfunded bonds or peer-to-peer loans. As with any ISA, you can invest up to £20,000 per year without paying any tax on your returns or interest. They can be a great way to add some variety and colour to your investment portfolio.

Bear in mind that IFISAs are riskier than cash savings and the level can vary dramatically, so make sure you read the risk description of the one you are interested in carefully.

Here we round up our top four investments for a green IFISA:

Ethical loans – Ethex

Ethex has a share offer with Salad Money, an award-winning ethical alternative to high-cost credit loans, providing people excluded by mainstream finance with appropriate, fair and affordable credit.

All funds raised will go towards new lending, facilitating over £60 million of affordable loans over five years for people hampered by poor credit scores. This means more people will be able to access fair and affordable finance, helping them avoid high-interest and unethical lenders. Salad Money aims to change the face of consumer credit by pressing for regulation and supplying an alternative to high-cost lending.

The target raise is £600,000 and minimum investment is £50. The target return is nine per cent, dependent on Salad Money’s performance.

Community Benefit – Ethex

Ethex has a community shares offer with Otley Common, to turn an old civic building into a community-led, climate-positive, cultural hub in the heart of the vibrant town of Otley, Leeds.

The target raise is £312.205 and minimum investment is £200. The target return is 6.25 per cent, dependent on Otley Common’s performance.

Affordable clean energy – Energise Africa 

Energise Africa has a bond offer with clean energy company OnePower.

Investments in this bond offer will enable the construction of two Green Mini Grids (GMGs) in two villages in Benin, West Africa – Kotokpa and Aglamidjodji – providing life-changing clean, reliable electricity to 1,100 households and small businesses in these rural off-grid communities. The bond will help 6,300 people in Benin to access clean, reliable and affordable solar power, improving living standards and economic progression for the villagers.

The target raise is £305,000 and minimum investment £50. The target return is eight per cent, dependent on OnePower’s performance.

Nature-led business – Triodos 

Education finance – Lendwise

Lendwise, which launched in 2018, matches private investors with borrowers who want to fund their studies to further their career and therefore their earnings potential. It is the UK’s only peer-to- peer lender to specialise in education finance.

The platform provides fair and flexible loans to students who have the personal merit to take postgraduate courses at top business schools and universities in the UK or internationally – but maybe not all of the funding.

Meanwhile, lenders can target a competitive return on their investment of up to nine per cent per year while also making a positive social impact. The minimum initial investment is £1,000.

The Good Guide to the IFISA

Net zero councils – Abundance Investment

Sustainable investment platform Abundance is offering four new investments, opening on June 2, in councils across London.

The money raised will help these councils transform their communities into greener, healthier places.

Other options:

Risk warning: Don’t invest unless you are prepared to lose money. These are considered high-risk investments. You may not be able to access your money easily and are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.

Your 40s are a pivotal decade for your finances. For many, it’s a time of peak earning potential – but also a time when financial pressures multiply. You may find yourself balancing the needs of aging parents, supporting growing children, making bigger mortgage payments, or funding home improvements, all while trying to focus on your long-term goals like retirement. Zohaib Mir, financial planner at EQ Investors, shares five key financial priorities to help you make the most of this crucial stage.

The financial decisions you make in your 40s will shape your wealth for decades to come.

Yet many people in their 40s don’t have a clear financial plan. Most focus on day-to-day expenses rather than long-term financial security. 

Protecting your family’s future

1. Build an emergency fund

Your 40s often come with increased responsibilities – whether it’s a mortgage, raising children, or supporting ageing parents. 

Building an emergency fund of six months’ worth of family expenses is the first step in protecting you and your family for when things don’t go according to plan, for example, unexpected costs or temporary loss of income.

2. Consider life insurance

The right protection policies help ensure your family maintains their lifestyle if something happens to you.

It’s always worth understanding what employer provisions are available as part of your employment contract. As a minimum, most employers will provide some sort of life cover in the form of a death in service plan, however many employers seek to offer a competitive package and may offer further provisions such as private medical insurance, critical illness and more.

Income protection insurance becomes more relevant as your financial commitments peak. This cover provides regular payments if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. Consider the length of cover needed and how it fits with your other protection policies. Some policies offer additional benefits like rehabilitation and back-to-work support.

Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of specific serious conditions. This money could help you adapt your home, pay for private medical treatment or provide financial breathing space during recovery. Some policies also include children’s critical illness cover at no extra cost, providing additional family protection.

3. Estate planning and wills

One of the foundations of a financial plan revolves around ensuring your assets are passed to the individual or individuals you want them to.

It’s important to make a will and ensure the ‘expression of wishes’ forms (for your pension and life insurance) are up to date.

Dying without a valid will leaves your estate to be distributed in accordance with the laws of intestacy. A will allows you to decide who inherits your property, savings, and possessions, as well as appoint guardians for your children if needed.

4. Make the most of your pension

A thorough review of your current pension position will show if you’re on track for a comfortable retirement.

If you’re employed, one of the most effective ways to boost your retirement savings is by taking full advantage of your workplace pension. Many employers offer to match your pension contributions up to a certain percentage. If you’re not contributing enough to get the maximum match, you’re essentially leaving free money on the table.

You might benefit from additional pension options beyond your workplace scheme. Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) offer wider investment choices and more control over your retirement savings. The tax relief on pension contributions makes them particularly attractive for higher-rate taxpayers.

5. Investing outside of pensions

Whilst pensions are seen as the primary source of income in retirement, it is important to build an income plan derived from various tax wrappers, to build a tax efficient income strategy for the future.

Options include ISAs, general investment accounts and investment bonds, which all come with differing tax treatments.

How can EQ help?

At EQ, we help our clients create comprehensive financial plans tailored to their circumstances and goals. 

We’ll review your current position across pensions, investments, and protection to identify any opportunities and potential gaps in your financial planning.

Book an appointment with one of our financial planners to discuss how we can help you build a secure financial future.

Unity Trust Bank, an ethical business bank, is the latest responsible finance company to be awarded the Good Egg mark from Good With Money.

The mark is the only accreditation in the UK designed to make it easier for consumers to find financial providers that use finance to benefit people and planet, as well as offering a good deal for their pockets.

Making sustainable financial planning the default

Unity Trust Bank is not your typical business bank: it believes making a positive impact to be of equal importance to making a profit.

Founded by the Co-op Bank and trade unions in 1984, and now fully independent, Unity helps organisations in the UK to prosper while creating measurable economic, social and environmental change.

Unity joins eight other Good Egg companies. These are: Switchfoot Wealth, PensionBee, Triodos Bank, Ecology Building Society, EQ Investors, Thrive Renewables, Path Financial and Bluesphere Wealth.

Last year, Unity held customer balances of £1.7 billion, up 10 per cent from 2023. More than half (50.5 per cent) of lending was committed to areas of high deprivation (up from 45.3 per cent), helping to support organisations that are making a real difference to communities and individuals most in need.

Unity assesses every loan proposal against the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to ensure the bank’s financing has demonstrable impact. In 2024, its lending helped to create or protect 3,194 jobs, and support 1,798 care beds; 1,806 day care spaces; 216 education spaces; and 1,109 affordable homes.

Highly commended

The Good Egg screening report commends Unity for:

What’s in a Good Egg?

The Good Egg mark is based on how well a provider measures up against a range of different environmental, social and industry impact factors, taking into account the size and history of the firm and its performance. Ethical Screening produces a report on each provider applying for the mark. Not all companies applying for a Good Egg will be granted one.

A panel of ethical finance experts then provides a further level of rigour before the Good Egg is awarded. The advisory panel includes John Fleetwood, sustainable investing consultant; Huw Davies, senior finance adviser at Make My Money Matter; Fionn Travers Smith, ex-Move Your Money campaigner, financial inclusion manager at Phoenix Group, and Charlene Cranny, sustainable finance expert at Economy of Good and ex-director at Good Money Week.

Lisa Stanley, co-founder of Good With Money, said: “Unity Trust bank has joined a select group of financial services companies that are able to prove they make a positive impact. This is not only by improving the lives of customers, but by benefiting society and the environment, too.

“It’s great to see a business bank like Unity with such a strong social conscience go from strength to strength in the UK. Look for a Good Egg if you want to align your money with your morals and use companies that are doing the right thing.”

This article is from the Good Guide to First-Time Investing 2025, available to download free here. 

So you’ve decided you want to invest rather than keep all your money in cash. Before you get started, there are some key questions you need to ask yourself. The answers to these will ensure you build an investment portfolio that is in line with your financial goals.

They include:

• What are your investment objectives – do you want to generate a regular income or grow your overall pot over time?

• Do you want to be able to make a big purchase such as a house or car, pay recurring school fees or fund your retirement?

• What is your time horizon to achieve your objectives?

• How much risk are you prepared to take? For example, how much loss are you willing to accept over the short term, remembering that typically the more risk you take then the greater potential returns over the long run?

• Do you want to invest directly in companies or put your money into funds run by professional investment managers?

You should now have a general idea of where and how you want to invest. Beyond this, you might also have preferences for the types of investments or companies you want your money to go to and/or those you want to avoid.

Investing sustainably

For example, do you want to invest your money sustainably? At Liontrust, we define sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Investing sustainably can mean excluding certain types of stocks (such as oil or tobacco companies), identifying sustainable themes (such as those focused on making the world cleaner, healthier and safer), and/or engaging with companies to influence management into making positive changes.

The golden rules of investing

However you choose to invest, there are some fundamental rules of investing that remain the same. If you opt for an investment fund that is ‘actively managed’, such as those offered by Liontrust, then an experienced fund manager will follow these guidelines for you. However, it’s a wise idea to have a basic understanding of them yourself.

First is the power of diversification. This is known as the investors’ secret weapon. Put simply, it means ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket.’

Think about the FTSE 100 index, which consists of the 100 largest companies on the London stock market. Imagine you choose one of these companies and decide to invest all your money in its shares. Your success depends on the fortunes of just this one business.

Now imagine that you split your money into 100 equal parts and spread it among all the companies. Some will do well and others not, but overall, you stand a very good chance, if history is any guide, of growing your money over time.

Diversification is enhanced if you invest in smaller stocks as well as those in the FTSE 100, and therefore spread your investments more widely across sectors, and by investing internationally.

Taking this even further, you can invest in other asset classes – such as bonds, commodities and property.

Next is the art of blending portfolios. This might include combining investments in actively managed funds with passive vehicles and across different styles of investing (like finding companies that investors believe are undervalued, those that investors believe will grow faster than the average or those companies which have been performing well recently).

Diversification and blending should smooth the ups and downs that are inevitable in investment markets, which is known as volatility. Over time, events will have large impacts on financial markets, which in the past have included the financial crisis in 2008 and the Covid pandemic in 2020.

However, while you will experience such market dips from time to time, throughout history markets have recovered and such falls look ever smaller on a chart the longer you are invested.

It has proven successful to stay invested through these events rather than try to time when to buy and sell on dips and peaks. An investment of £10,000 into the FTSE All Share index in January 1986, for example, would have been worth £277,516 in July 2024 if held consistently over this period. But if you had missed the best 10 days of returns for the index, your investment would only be worth £141,697 *. Time in the market generally is a more successful philosophy than timing the market.

Actively rebalancing your portfolio to bring it back to the original proportions you put into each investment – known as the asset allocation – can be beneficial because it aligns with your objectives, risk profile and time horizon. It also means you are selling investments that have become more expensive and buying those that have become cheaper, which can enhance returns over time.

In deciding how to manage an investment portfolio, you can benefit by focusing on what is appropriate to you: what will enable you to achieve your financial objectives using a suitable level of risk and with an approach that meets your values.

Shariah savings accounts are quietly gaining momentum – and for good reason.

These accounts combine ethical banking with attractive returns, making them an increasingly popular choice for both faith-based and sustainability-conscious savers.

Unlike conventional banks, Shariah-compliant institutions operate under Islamic finance principles. This means no interest is paid or earned. Instead, returns are generated through profit-sharing from investments that meet strict ethical guidelines. These profits are then distributed to savers based on what’s known as an Expected Profit Rate (EPR).

Importantly, Shariah banking excludes investments in harmful or unethical industries such as alcohol, gambling, tobacco, and arms manufacturing. This means they appeal not only to muslims, but to anyone looking to be more sustainable with their money.

Here are the some of the top Shariah savings accounts in the UK offering a competitive EPR:

1. QIB (UK) through Raisin UK