In this day & age where everyone has a stand or two to make, perhaps those who stand strong in certain standards should also be looking into ethical banking and/or ethical insurance. How can you honestly say you stand for certain things, and not for others... yet your money is possibly funding that which you abhor? (It is this very thought process that has allowed me to abstain from Wal*Mart purchases for years now!)
At the co-op, they have established an ethical policy to cover these issues. They will only work with/invest in companies & agencies that uphold what is recognized as basic human rights. By severing ties with those that defy such basics, they are empowering the world towards this greater standard... money (or lack thereof) speaks volume, and powers a lot of great force. It is amazing the impact/statement made by diverted funds.
You might ask yourself how they came to decide upon these standards. Apparentally they come directly from the concerns & beliefs of their customers. Using their input they created & maintain their policies. I like the idea of working with a bank that wants to know how I might like my money to be utilized!
So whether you are looking to set up basic business banking accounts or setting up necessary personal insurance & pension policies for yourself... consider ethical banking & ethical insurance, it'll give you a leg up on making your stand to the world as to who you are, and what you believe to be of value!
