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Sustainable and conventional banking in Europe

Author

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  • María del Carmen Valls Martínez
  • Salvador Cruz Rambaud
  • Isabel María Parra Oller

Abstract

At the end of the 20th century a new banking model, the so-called ethical banking, emerged becoming the maximum exponent of a socially responsible investment. The financial crisis in 2008 led to a distrust of the conventional financial system and consequently investors began to look with interest this new banking, which only invests in ethical activities and products, with social and environmental criteria, total transparency and a democratic management. The aim of this article is to analyze the economic structure of ethical banking, compared to that of conventional banking, by paying attention to its liquidity, coverage and solvency. Specifically, We compare the financial statements of Triodos Bank, the main European ethical bank belonging to the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, with two of the main conventional banks of each of the five countries in Europe in which it operates. To do this, we apply a financial and economic analysis to the period from 2015 to 2018, the means difference test and analysis of variance on an array of financial ratios and, finally, probit regressions. The results reveal that ethical banking is growing more than conventional banking and it presents greater liquidity and solvency, although, in general terms, its profitability is not higher. In conclusion, both savers and investors have guarantees that their savings are invested not only in a responsible but also in a confident way in ethical banking.

Suggested Citation

  • María del Carmen Valls Martínez & Salvador Cruz Rambaud & Isabel María Parra Oller, 2020. "Sustainable and conventional banking in Europe," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(2), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0229420
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229420
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Iulia Lupu & Gheorghe Hurduzeu & Radu Lupu, 2022. "How Is the ESG Reflected in European Financial Stability?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Simon Cornée & Anastasia Cozarenco & Ariane Szafarz, 2023. "The Changing Role of Banks in the Financial System: Social Versus Conventional Banks," Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Banking and Financial Institutions, in: Chrysovalantis Gaganis & Fotios Pasiouras & Menelaos Tasiou & Constantin Zopounidis (ed.), Sustainable Finance and ESG, pages 1-25, Palgrave Macmillan.
    3. María del Carmen Valls Martínez & Pedro Antonio Martín-Cervantes & Sandra Peña Rodríguez, 2021. "Ethical Banking and Poverty Alleviation Banking: The Two Sides of the Same Solidary Coin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-22, October.
    4. María del Carmen Valls Martínez & Pedro Antonio Martín Cervantes & Salvador Cruz Rambaud, 2020. "Women on corporate boards and sustainable development in the American and European markets: Is there a limit to gender policies?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(6), pages 2642-2656, November.

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