Why choose an ethical bank in 2025?
Did you know that the money deposited in your bank account is lent, invested, and reinvested by your bank — sometimes in sectors you disapprove of? Major French banks have been repeatedly called out by NGOs for their financing of fossil fuels, intensive agriculture, or controversial weapons. In 2023, according to the "Banking on Climate Chaos" report, BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, and Credit Agricole were among the 60 largest global financiers of fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement.
Faced with this reality, a new generation of ethical and alternative banks offers a radically different model: full transparency on how deposits are used, strict exclusion policies for controversial sectors, and a strong commitment to financing the ecological transition. In France, four players stand out in 2025: La Nef, Green-Got, Helios, and OnlyOne.
La Nef: the French pioneer of solidarity finance
History and positioning
Founded in 1988, the Societe Financiere de la Nef is the forerunner of French ethical banks. A cooperative financing institution owned by its members, it is the only French financial institution to publish the complete list of its loans on its website — a level of transparency unmatched in the banking sector.
La Nef does not offer a traditional checking account (it operates in partnership with Credit Cooperatif for everyday banking services), but focuses on savings and financing projects with a positive impact: organic farming, renewable energy, social housing, and cultural and educational associations.
What La Nef finances
- Organic farming and agroecology
- Renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass)
- Ecological housing and eco-construction
- Cultural and educational projects with social impact
- Social and solidarity economy (SSE)
Pricing and products
Becoming a member of La Nef requires purchasing shares (minimum 65 euros). The savings products offered (savings accounts, term deposits) offer rates slightly below market, but savers can choose the purpose of their funds and receive detailed impact reports. The fees for the associated bank card (via Credit Cooperatif) are comparable to those of a standard online bank.
Strengths / Weaknesses
Strengths: maximum transparency, solid track record, documented social and environmental impact, proven cooperative model.
Weaknesses: no standalone checking account, digital features less advanced than neobanks, limited branch network.
Green-Got: the neobank that plants trees
History and positioning
Launched in 2020, Green-Got presents itself as "the bank that takes action for the climate." A 100% digital neobank, it targets a young, connected audience that cares about environmental issues but expects a modern and seamless banking experience. Green-Got is licensed as a payment institution (not a full-service bank) and relies on Treezor's infrastructure for banking services.
Its distinctive model: every euro deposited in a Green-Got account is exclusively invested in government bonds and securities financing the energy transition. The bank commits to never funding any project related to fossil fuels, weapons, or the tobacco industry.
Features and impact
- Checking account with French IBAN and wooden Mastercard (recycled)
- Tree planting indexed to spending: 1 tree planted for every 100 euros spent by card
- "Impact" dashboard showing your monthly climate contribution
- Instant transfers, Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Detailed annual impact report for each customer
Pricing
Green-Got offers two plans:
- Essential plan: free, with basic features and a virtual card
- Impact plan: 7.99 euros/month, with physical card, tree planting, cashback on responsible purchases, and access to detailed impact analytics
Strengths / Weaknesses
Strengths: excellent user experience, visible and gamified impact, documented climate commitment, well-targeted young audience.
Weaknesses: not a full-service bank (no mortgage), deposit guarantee limited to 100,000 euros from FGDR via Treezor, less transparent than La Nef on the exact use of funds.
Helios: the bank that puts data at the service of impact
History and positioning
Also founded in 2020, Helios differentiates itself through its data-driven approach to responsible finance. A licensed neobank (via banking partnership), it combines checking account, savings, and carbon footprint analysis of spending in an integrated app.
Helios annually publishes its exclusion policies and the breakdown of its investments, committing to never finance any fossil fuel sector, any controversial weapons, or any tobacco industry. Deposits are placed in green and socially responsible bonds.
Distinctive features
- Automatic carbon footprint analysis of card spending
- Monthly carbon score with comparison to national averages
- Interest-bearing savings account (passbook) invested in impact projects
- Recycled metal card available in premium plans
- Referral program with tree planting and ecological restoration projects
Pricing
- Starter plan: free with basic features
- Helios+ plan: 6.90 euros/month, with full carbon analysis and metal card
- Family plan: 14.90 euros/month for two accounts + children
Strengths / Weaknesses
Strengths: native and accurate carbon analysis, transparency on investments, polished user experience, relevant family plan.
Weaknesses: limited international coverage, no consumer credit, less well-known than sector leaders.
OnlyOne: the bank for the "impact generation"
History and positioning
OnlyOne, founded in 2019, positions itself as the bank for people who want their money to "do something good." Beyond the checking account, it offers a model where each monthly subscription directly funds environmental restoration projects selected by customers themselves: ocean protection, reforestation, solar energy in developing countries.
OnlyOne is licensed by the French Prudential Supervisory Authority (ACPR) as a payment institution and relies on Swan's infrastructure for banking services.
Distinctive features
- Choice of environmental project funded by the monthly subscription
- Bank card made from wood or recycled materials
- "Green" cashback on responsible purchases (organic, sustainable mobility, etc.)
- Basic spending analysis and carbon impact tracking
- Personalized quarterly impact report
Pricing
- Solo plan: 7 euros/month
- Duo plan: 10 euros/month for two people
- Family plan: 15 euros/month
Strengths / Weaknesses
Strengths: strong sense of customer involvement in project selection, innovative responsible cashback, engaging communication.
Weaknesses: basic banking features, no credit offering, carbon analysis less developed than Helios.
Summary comparison
- La Nef: best for impact savings and maximum transparency — ideal for activist investors
- Green-Got: best for a first ethical bank — ideal for environmentally-conscious young people
- Helios: best for carbon footprint tracking — ideal for climate data lovers
- OnlyOne: best for direct engagement in projects — ideal for activists who want to see their impact
To explore the topic of ethical investing and green savings further, our article on green finance and ecological money will give you a complete picture of available options. And to discover the best climate savings strategies, our guide on how to invest your money for the planet will point you toward the most impactful choices.
Conclusion: choosing your bank is a political act
Switching banks is one of the most impactful actions a citizen can take to align their finances with their values. According to the NGO Oxfam, switching from a major conventional bank to an ethical bank can reduce a person's financial carbon footprint by 5 to 10 tonnes of CO2e per year — as much as the average annual footprint of a French person from their direct activities. Ethical banking is no longer a niche for activists: it's a mature, concrete, and accessible option for everyone.