Your checking and savings accounts and credit cards might be financing the demise of the planet. $24 out of every $100 loaned by US megabanks is used to finance fossil fuels. On 6/9/26, The Guardian reported the “’world’s largest banks pledged $906bn to fossil fuel companies in ‘unfathomable’ increase in 2025… locking in years more of coal, oil and gas production…up nearly 8% on 2024…decisions incompatible with international agreements to restrain rising global temperatures.” This accelerated investment is supporting the oil industry as it “turns toward plastics, pesticides, and other petrochemicals” (Grist, July 1, 2026).
On the other hand, green banking and investing, also known as sustainable or impact investing, can be very beneficial -- driving positive environmental and social change. It can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, potentially by a greater margin than individual lifestyle changes like reducing air travel or using renewable energy. According to a British wealth management firm, moving investments into "greener" funds can be: 20 times more effective than trading your gas-powered car for an electric one, or 57 times more effective than switching to a vegan diet.
Green investments can be just as, or even more, profitable than traditional investments. Studies and performance data show that sustainable strategies can match or outperform standard benchmarks. Factors like reduced risk, strong long-term growth, and alignment with societal trends contribute to the positive performance of green investments. A 2026 report from the London Stock Exchange states “the green economy has now surpassed US $10 trillion” and those companies “outperformed the broader market by more than 12%.”