Making a greener financial decision

 

Affordability is often the critical factor when it comes to borrowing.

However consumers increasingly consider the community impacts associated with their personal banking. If you would like the profits from your banking relationship to go directly towards community projects in bushfire affected communities, consider banking with a locally owned and operated Community Bank® branch which functions as a franchise of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. 

If you are simply concerned about reducing your borrowing costs, consider using a comparison website that compares the overall cost of loans, mortgages and credit cards tailored to your specific needs by visiting the Rate City website that includes many thousands of products from more than 250 banks, credit unions and building societies.

Over the past decade a number of green loan products have emerged that offer special discounts for sustainable homes, renewable energy products, energy efficient appliances and fuel efficient cars. Sometime these loans are actually more expensive than conventional products, but often they can deliver real value, and you might value forming a relationship with a financial provider that "thinks green" more than finding the very lowest cost.

If that's you, consider the offers of Australia's sustainable banks and credit unions as described by their own marketing information provided through website links below.

If you decide to go with a Credit Union - bearing in mind that their products are most often available right across Australia after you become a member by paying a nominal fee - you will be supporting an important part of Australia's financial system outside of our major banks. If the major banks begin to offer tailored green financial products, we will feature them here as well.