Social justice banking

Does anyone know how to find the transparency of a bank/ credit union?

I am looking to invest (create an account and close down my current) in a local bank, but I want to know what they are investing in.

credit unions are completely transparent as you are a voting member you have a right to read all the finacial reports. I have never had an account with a bank and cannot imagine getting one

Thank you Brice. I wasn't aware that credit unions were completely transparent and that I can read all the financial reports. Do you know how to go about getting access to the reports?

(Thank you Permie team for moving this post, I wasn't sure where to put it)

Look at the credit union's website, they should have their annual report posted for you to download and read.

Wow, so simple! I love it

Jason Long wrote:
Does anyone know how to find the transparency of a bank/ credit union?

I am looking to invest (create an account and close down my current) in a local bank, but I want to know what they are investing in.

there's also a website banktrack.com that tracks the transparency of large banks..

i get a quarterly email with the union's business report in a pdf.

This may be too OT, but seems vaguely related - 'The Money Fix' documentary on  Youtube.... with direct permaculture references   I think we have to start thinking about solutions .....

Personally I like the Gift or Sharing Economy, but other people might prefer other forms. 

Thanks, Ludi!  I've been reading wiki on gift economy---very enlightening   And I'm waiting for a new book 'Debt:  The First 5,000 Years' which also confirms that gifting preceded bartering.

There may be some way stations before we get to gifting.  The share economy already exists, as at Lincoln Electric, and 'open book management' (see Jack Stack) also fosters 'we're all in together'; there's Mondragon in Spain and other cooperatives; plus worker owned businesses, etc.  Lots going on but few highlighted very often.

As I've said before, I think this cooperation is very typical of biological success (I forget the biologists' names), and if we're imitating nature, we permies should consider it in light of living the Third Ethic (however it is defined).

I agree, many biologists see life as a cooperative endeavor primarily, not "Nature red in tooth and claw" of the old days. 

In my town, some are creating a "time exchange"program-
a little different than bartering. In bartering, at least in NJ, one must pay tax on the transaction, in time xchange - no.

This is an example of one:
http://www.hourexchangeportland.org/

Basically you sign up for what services you can offer, and what you would like to obtain. There is a central database. So if I need someone to mow my lawn I can get it, I don't have to at that moment do an exchange. I am "in the red" for an exchange, which I can then provide to any person who is in the network.

ellen

nancy sutton wrote:
Thanks, Ludi!  I've been reading wiki on gift economy---very enlightening   And I'm waiting for a new book 'Debt:  The First 5,000 Years' which also confirms that gifting preceded bartering.

There may be some way stations before we get to gifting.  The share economy already exists, as at Lincoln Electric, and 'open book management' (see Jack Stack) also fosters 'we're all in together'; there's Mondragon in Spain and other cooperatives; plus worker owned businesses, etc.  Lots going on but few highlighted very often.

As I've said before, I think this cooperation is very typical of biological success (I forget the biologists' names), and if we're imitating nature, we permies should consider it in light of living the Third Ethic (however it is defined).

"The Money Fix" documentary on YouTube goes into detail explaining that kind of time sharing... and  has Scott Pittman explaining ecological reciprocation - it's neat   Not much room for 'greed' in these systems

I think all you have to do is go to the credit union bank and ask for these reports. First you must tell them that you are interested in opening an account there.

A link to the Permaculture Credit Union belongs somewhere in this thread:

http://www.pcuonline.org/