Melbourne to Host World Ethical Banking Conference

Melbourne has been named as the host of the 2014 ethical bank conference, organised by the Global Alliance of Banking on Values (GABV).

The conference will be hosted by Australian owned bankmecu and will be attended by 22 of the world’s leading sustainable banks, according to organisers, from Asia, Africa, Latin America, North America and Europe for the week-long Annual General Meeting.

“This is a great honour that GABV have chosen to hold the 2014 AGM in this far flung part of the world and have invited bankmecu to host the important occasion,” bankmecu Managing Director Damien Walsh said.

“The members of GABV have a shared commitment to finding global solutions to international problems – and to promoting the use of finance to improve the quality of life for everyone on the planet.

“These annual meetings provide an opportunity to shine a spotlight on role and responsibilities of banks in a progressive society and how can contribute to a more sustainable world and a social economy,” Walsh said.

The carbon neutral event will have the theme of leadership in banking and organisers have said that it will include a number of opportunities for the broader community to get involved in the discussion.

GABV members have assets exceeding $60 billion and together touch the lives of more than 10 million people in 25 countries. bankmecu is the only Australian member.

Currently GABV members are meeting in Berlin to discuss transforming banking values. A spokesperson said that they have brought together policy makers, academics, social entrepreneurs and members of the public to develop ways for banking to be more sustainable and responsible.

“These are critical discussions for financiers to be having and we have seen a renewed interest in Australia in social business and the cooperative model of business as providing a more responsible approach to capitalism,” Walsh said.

The Melbourne conference will be held in March 2014.