Since opening its doors in June 2021, Climate First Bank has taken various measures to further its mission to combat the climate crisis. As VP, Director of All Good Things, a large part of Lauren Dubé’s role is to ensure that the Bank doesn’t just talk the talk, but that it also walks the walk.

“All our operations have been net zero since we launched the Bank,” she said. “Through our partnership with We Are Neutral, we have been able to measure our footprint since day one, covering all of Scopes 1 and 2, and a portion of Scope 3 emissions.”

In fall 2023, the Bank’s Winter Park branch reached the highest level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, LEED platinum, and the new St. Petersburg branch is working toward that same goal.

Our mission at Climate First Bank is to do the right thing for: Our planet, our people, our community, and our shareholders. We’re dedicated to educating our audience with virtual and in-person events including our acclaimed Climate First Fireside Chats. These events are a critical part of our strategy to inform others about how they can help contribute toward sustainable initiatives from a holistic perspective. Since we opened our doors in 2021, the sustainable banking landscape has seen great change.

“We are seeing more consumers who are aware of the impact that banking has on climate change,” Lauren said. “As a result, businesses have been under more pressure to report on their greenhouse gas emissions, leading many to look at what that means for their banking as well.”

The public has also begun to put pressure on big banks to make changes, such as reporting on their portfolio and trying to decarbonize where possible.

“I think we are at the beginning of a status quo transition to a future where the new normal is consumers who are more aware of the impact that their banking dollars have,” Lauren said.

Not only is it easy to make the switch to sustainable banking, but it also comes with benefits to the consumer. With no monthly fee, our high-yield Choice Checking account allows consumers the freedom to bank on their terms while earning competitive interest. Customers nationwide have access to a broad network of ATMs, as well as mobile access to their money anywhere, at any time.

“We have always been relationship-focused here at the Bank,” Lauren said. “When you call one of our branches, you can rest easy knowing your call will be answered by a real staff member who is ready to assist you.

”This past spring, Climate First Bank began a partnership with Premiums for the Planet, an insurance membership program working to transform insurance into a force for climate action.  Looking at the financial system, it becomes clear that the impact spans further than just banks. Insurance companies collect customer dollars in the form of premiums, which are then invested to generate money used by the company to pay claims. That money is often invested in fossil fuels and other extractive industries.

“What Climate First Bank is to banking, is what Premiums for the Planet is to insurance,” Lauren said. “Working with them is the same as working with a typical insurance broker, but with someone who shares our values and excitement over our mission. They helped us find a broker that met our unique needs.”

Premiums for the Planet allow consumers to make an immediate impact on climate change without sacrificing quality coverage. Like Climate First, they operate in the interest of their stakeholders by delivering a values-aligned service at the same convenience as the largest suppliers, and often for a better price.

“If we look at activity like paying for homeowners' insurance to protect your home against natural disasters, it becomes apparent that insurance should be viewed as a system,” Lauren explains. “What’s fueling stronger natural disasters? Climate change. Why is Climate change a financial issue? Because banks and investments are funding new fossil fuel projects. And what dollars are sitting in those investments? Our dollars. Premiums for the Planet is trying to shift insurance dollars away from fossil fuel investments, doubling down on the assets that insurance is intended to protect.”

At Climate First Bank, we encourage customers to bank like tomorrow depends on it, because it really does. Organizations like the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and the Net-Zero Banking Alliance exist to foster a community among banks that continue to promote initiatives that prioritize people and the planet over profit. The growth of B-Corp banks proves that financial institutions like ours are gaining popularity.

"We are not alone in the fight; there are other banks that are doing incredible work,” Lauren said. “We come together as an alliance, rather than as a group of competitors. We are working together to bring change to the financial system, and we are not doing it alone."

‍