B Corp Certification is an independent third party verification that takes into account a company’s entire business model, governance structure, and its social and environmental impact. Governed by not-for-profit organisation, B Lab, the movement represents thousands of businesses in almost 100 countries, across 150+ industries, and employing more than half a million people — all with one unifying goal: to transform the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. Learn more about B Corp Certification.

The ‘B’ stands for ‘benefit for all’ and it is the mark of a business that has been independently certified to go beyond business as usual to proactively meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Since 1964, we have been providing a braver banking alternative for the communities across Northern Rivers NSW, South East Queensland, and beyond. With a long-standing and deep commitment to sustainability and investing in our local community, we were proud to make it official by becoming a Certified B Corporation in 2023.

Learn more about our journey towards B Corp Certification on the Summerland blog, and find out more about this global movement of purpose-driven businesses by visiting: bcorporation.com.au

We define sustainability as actively pursuing environmental and socially sustainable business practices, and going beyond to make sure we are growing ethically, responsibly, and always delivering value for our stakeholders.

We believe that sustainability continues to hold significant value and meaning, especially at Summerland Bank. While it’s often overused and sometimes misused these days, for us, sustainability is far more than a buzzword — it’s a core principle guiding our actions and decisions.

The way we see it, if we want ‘sustainability’ to mean something, it has to be backed by action. Here are six signs we mean business when it comes to sustainability.

Taking strong and principled positions on banking, investment and lending, we do not invest directly in the following industries as part of our commitment to developing a more sustainable world:

• No fossil fuels
• No tobacco
• No gambling
• No live animal export
• No weapons

Find out more about industries we do not invest in.

While we are proud of what we don’t invest in, we are also proud of all the things we do invest in, such as:

• Renewables and energy efficiency
• Preserving natural heritage
• Sustainable farming practices
• Financial literacy in the community
• Supporting local initiatives

Find out more about industries we do invest in

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. They are guidelines that help businesses and investors make decisions that are not only profitable but also beneficial for the world around us.

‘Environmental’ considers how companies interact with nature — think clean energy and reduced pollution. ‘Social’ looks at how businesses treat people, including their workers, customers, and the communities they serve, ensuring fairness, equality, and safety. ‘Governance’ covers the ethics of companies, ensuring they operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles have been a part of the fabric of our business from the very beginning, guiding our practice, and keeping us focused on delivering the best possible service and support to our customers, communities and the planet. Download our ESG Declaration.

You should never just have to take our word for it. By providing regular and transparent reports on the ‘eco-friendly’ claims we make, and by measuring our footprint based on globally verified standards, we give you trust and confidence that we’re doing what we say we do. This is primarily through the rigorous and independent process of B Corp Certification. Our goals and actions are also aligned to a number of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and we make our reporting publicly available.

Since 2009, we have minimised our footprint by a whopping 24% and cut our paper use by 36%. But we’re not done yet. Our branches are now run on 100% renewable energy, and we are making bold moves towards becoming carbon positive as a business. Find out more about our commitment to sustainability.

We offer specialised loans at competitive low rates for businesses and individuals looking to invest in renewable energy projects or technologies, from solar panels to wind turbines. Find out more about our Eco Loans.

We are deeply committed to minimising our footprint and we are fast becoming carbon neutral. Our head office is using 100% green energy and all of our paper is certified carbon neutral under the National Carbon Offset Standard. We actively invest in projects designed to protect and preserve our natural heritage, and look forward to sharing our journey to net zero with our customers.