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What Is a B Corp Bank?
Mar 03, 2026 | Craig Hill, VP, Client & Treasury Manager
What Is a B Corporation (B Corp)?
A B Corporation (B Corp) is a for-profit company that meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
B Corps use business as a force for good, supporting people and the planet. While they aim to make a profit, they prioritize it alongside positive social and environmental impact rather than profit maximization.
The B Corp certification process is managed by the nonprofit B Lab, which sets evolving standards, policies, tools, and programs to measure and manage social and environmental performance. Businesses must recertify every three years to maintain their status, ensuring continuous improvement. In 2025, the B Lab Standards were updated and now include seven areas:
- Purpose and Stakeholder Governance
- Climate Action
- Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Government Affairs and Collective Action
- Fair Work
- Human Rights
- Environmental Stewardship and Circularity
What Is a B Corp Bank?
A B Corp bank is a for-profit bank certified by B Lab that balances profit and purpose to deliver positive social and environmental impact along with strong financial performance.
There are currently 16 certified B Corp banks in the U.S. Beneficial State Bank has been a B Corp since 2012. Other examples include Sunrise Banks, Amalgamated Bank,and Climate First Bank.
How to Find a B Corp Bank
To find a B Corp bank near you, use the B Corp directory and filter for “Deposit bank – Developed Markets” and your location. You can also perform a web search for "B Corp bank near me.”
B Corp banks also typically display the B Corp logo on their websites and in their branches, making it easier for you to identify and support them.
What Are the Benefits of Banking with a B Corp Bank?
There are many potential benefits to being a customer of a B Corp bank, including more personalized service and positive environmental and community impact.
Environmental Impact of the Banking Industry
Banks significantly impact the environment. By providing loans and investments to harmful industries like fossil fuels and fracking, large banks enable these industries to expand, leading to increased carbon emissions. In fact, if the largest U.S. banks and asset managers were a country, they would be the world's third-largest carbon emitter, behind the U.S. and China. According to Project Drawdown, every $1,000 in savings kept in an account with a conventional bank is roughly equivalent to the emissions from flying from New York to Seattle annually.
Moving your money to an eco-friendly bank could reduce your banking emissions by an average of 76%. B Corp banks are evaluated on their environmental management practices, making them generally more eco-friendly than traditional banks. They might reduce their own operational carbon footprint, practice eco-responsible lending, and avoid carbon-intensive lending. For example, Climate First Bank specializes in solar lending and avoids fossil fuel investments.
Additionally, B Corp banks sometimes offer unique eco-friendly incentives or products. Beneficial State Bank's Climate Card allows customers to donate reward points to environmental nonprofits.
B Corps Create Social Impact
B Corps are evaluated based on their impact on communities, including DEI practices, civic engagement and giving, and supply chain management. By banking with a B Corp bank, you can help strengthen the social fabric of your local community and its residents.
B Corp banks have socially responsible lending practices that support marginalized communities, helping alleviate poverty and inequities.
For example, Beneficial State Bank’s lending portfolio has helped fund over 17,000 affordable housing units across the West Coast. while avoiding harmful lending, such as to weapons manufacturers.
B Corp Banks Build Long Term Stability
B Corp banks are committed to long-term sustainability rather than short-term profits, leading to stable and resilient outcomes. Studies have shown that during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher percentage of B Corps remained in operation compared to non-B Corps. Additional studies indicate that B Corps may benefit from stronger employee loyalty and deeper customer trust, both of which support long-term business resilience.
B Corp community banks tend to fund local loans with local deposits, which keeps money circulating within a region rather than being deployed elsewhere. This banking model helps develop stronger communities and local economies over the long run.
Equitable Pay Structures for Bank Employees
By banking with a B Corp bank, you cast a vote for more equitable pay structures.
Traditional banks prioritize profit, often leading to higher executive salaries. The average salary for the top 20 highest-paid bank executives in 2023 was over $21 million. In contrast, B Corp banks prioritize the well-being of their stakeholders, including employees. B Corp bank CEOs tend to have much more equitable CEO-to-worker pay ratios and are evaluated based on their pay equity. Beneficial State Bank pays all employees at least 125% of the MIT living wage calculator and has a 9:1 ratio of highest-to-lowest salary across the bank, compared to the top twenty banks, which have an average 196:1 ratio of CEO to median salary.
B Corps Lead with Transparency
B Corp banks often place a higher value on transparency than traditional banks, partly due to the robust reporting process required for B Corp certification. This not only reduces the risk of regulatory issues but also provides customers with more insight into what their money supports each year. On the B Lab website, you can see Beneficial State Bank’s certification details and disclosure reports. You can view these details for any B Corp by searching for them in the B Corp directory.
A Global Movement of Like-Minded People
Being a B Corp customer is more than just a transaction—it's a vote for a better future. The global B Corp movement has been transforming the way the world does business. By becoming a B Corp client, you join a collective effort to tackle society’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change and poverty, by redefining business practices. When you support a B Corp bank, you are not only advocating for a more sustainable and equitable banking system but also contributing to a worldwide movement of consumers dedicated to making a positive impact.
Choosing a B Corp Bank
While B Corp banks offer significant benefits for those looking to make a positive impact on the planet and people, there are some factors to consider when deciding to switch banks.
Due to the limited number of B Corp banks in the U.S., you might have fewer options available. If there aren’t any locations near you, investigate what mobile services and network ATMs are available. Beneficial State Bank provides a network of ATMs that customers can use at no additional cost.
Additionally, some B Corp banks may specialize in specific areas such as solar lending or home loans and might not offer all the services you need. Research the types of products and services a B Corp bank offers to ensure they meet your requirements.
While B Corp status is a robust certification, there are other impactful certifications that banks can obtain. B Corp certification isn't always a viable option for every bank striving to make a positive impact. Other certifications and memberships that signal strong ethical practices include Fossil Free Certification, CDFI certification, Global Alliance for Banking on Values membership, UNEP-FI signatories, and JUST certification.
Empower Your Finances for Good
Discover our range of products and services tailored for personal, business, and nonprofit customers to see how we can meet your needs. And if you’re still considering whether you’re ready to switch banks, our step-by-step guide to moving your money can help.
We are also proud to be the bank for other B Corps. If you’d like to align your money with your B Corp values, connect with our team of B Corp banking experts today.
B Corp banks positively impact the planet, communities, and financial stability. They are an excellent choice for individuals looking to combat climate change, support social justice, and strengthen their local economy.
No matter which route you choose, by researching a bank’s practices, you can ensure your money supports causes you care about, amplifying your positive impact simply by being mindful of where you bank.
Craig Hill
VP, Client & Treasury Manager
Business as a Force for Good
Better banking is not only possible; it’s imperative. We are honored to be part of the B Corp movement.
Choose a Bank that Invests in Tomorrow
Beneficial State Bank serves the triple-bottom-line of people, planet, and prosperity for all. That means prioritizing social justice and environmental sustainability. Our clients want to see their money put to good use – funding causes that defend our planet and build resiliency in our communities. Change your bank and help change the world.
Spotlight on B Corporations
As a B Corp bank, we are proud to support other B Corps that show that business can be a force for good.
