Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Environmental Impact
We Are In a Climate Emergency
According to the United Nations, “the burning of fossil fuels has emitted enough greenhouse gases to significantly alter the composition of the atmosphere and average world temperature has risen between 1.1 and 1.2 degrees Celsius.”
The irreversible impacts of climate change affect us all, from extreme heat in the Pacific Northwest, increasingly severe droughts in California, freezing winter storms in Texas, and devastating hurricanes across the Eastern seaboard. If we as a global community do not act, the impacts of climate change will destroy our homes, our livelihoods, and our economy.
We believe that banks and investors collectively have immense power to guide the resources we use to mitigate the impacts of climate change and heal the planet.
Measuring & Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
We engage with Climate Positive Consulting to measure, monitor, and reduce our carbon footprint, including direct emissions (the bank’s energy usage) and indirect emissions (business travel, purchased goods and services, and the emissions associated with our lending portfolio). By tracking these emissions, we’re able to refine our strategy as we work toward a net zero future.
In alignment with our sustainability values, we’re proud to locate a portion of our offices in buildings that reflect our environmental commitments. In 2020, we opened our cashless branch in the Bullitt Center in Seattle, one of the greenest commercial buildings in the world. In 2022, we opened loan production offices in the PAE Living Building in Portland and on our clients’ campuses at Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) and AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles.
Since our founding in 2007, we’ve remained committed to fossil-free lending, earning Fossil Free Certification. We also calculate our emissions avoided through our Green Lending portfolio, which is estimated to have avoided over 25,902 metric tons of CO₂e in 2024, reducing our net lending footprint by nearly 24%.
Lending to Support the Environment
Beneficial State Bank is proud to finance clean energy systems of various sources and consciously seeks to avoid extractive and dirty energy sources like coal, oil, and gas.
We use our lending power to fund clean, renewable energy and the environmental sustainability sector more broadly. Our clients include environmental advocates, eco-friendly producers, green building professionals, conservation groups, and environmental education programs. Learn about our lending impacts.
Earth Services Team
Environmental impact has been central to Beneficial State’s mission since our founding. In 2019, we formed our Earth Services team to advance our existing environmental lending practice. Our team is passionate about finding financing solutions that help our commercial banking clients and mitigate the impacts of climate change. We have an important role to play in providing loans that finance clean energy projects, net-zero building construction, and environmentally focused nonprofit organizations.
Partnerships
Our Earth Services team is specifically focused on solar power, financing loans for installation and new solar development for mission-aligned companies and organizations. In spring 2020, Beneficial State Bank began purchasing consumer renewable energy loans from other specialty lenders to help expand our reach. These kinds of loan purchases are called indirect lending. Through our indirect lending, our partners can better manage their liquidity, credit, and other risks, allowing them to scale and expand their solar financing.
ChangeMakers Deposit Program
Our ChangeMakers Deposit Program offers favored pricing to organizations that make a commitment to increased positive environmental change.
To qualify, organizations disclose how their core products or services support environmental sustainability, any third-party environmental certifications, and sustainability commitments and goals. Ask one of our bankers if your organization qualifies.
Climate Card
Using our Climate Card (Beneficial State Bank’s Visa Signature card), our clients can earn rewards for everyday purchases and support climate-related nonprofits. Learn more about our credit cards.
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. Change your bank and help change the world.
Spotlight on Environmental Sustainability
Banks have immense power to guide the resources we use. We are proud to provide banking services and lending to support the environment and renewable energy.
