Etheco Directory
Browse the best ethical brands in the UK - 2026
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Mortgages ›
UK's oldest and largest Islamic bank offering Shariah-compliant savings, current accounts, home purchase plans and business banking. Ethical Consumer score 26 for savings and current accounts.
People
Partnership with Educate A Child International supporting education for vulnerable children in Malawi via fixed-term deposit savings. UK's oldest and largest Islamic bank. (Al Rayan Bank)
Planet
Achieved operational carbon neutrality in 2024 and reduced paper use by over 50%. Published inaugural Sustainability Report documenting ESG progress. (Al Rayan Bank)
Pocket
Shariah-compliant savings, current accounts and Home Purchase Plans based on co-ownership (diminishing musharaka) and leasing (Ijara) principles. (Al Rayan Bank)
Performance
Trustpilot 3.6/5 from 1,197 reviews; customer praise for competitive savings rates and helpful staff. Established Islamic banking provider with full Shariah-compliant product range. (Trustpilot)
Products & Services
Shariah-compliant current accounts, savings accounts, fixed-term deposits, home purchase plans (diminishing musharaka), buy-to-let home purchase plans, business banking, business savings accounts, charity accounts
UK's first app-only bank, offering savings accounts and mortgages with market-leading rates. Based in Durham. Good Shopping Guide score 65. Trustpilot score 96.
People
Made 4-day working week permanent for all employees in 2024 with no salary reduction — the largest company and only bank in Britain to do so for all staff. (Atom Bank)
Planet
Achieved 22% reduction in operational carbon emissions (295 to 169 tCO2e); pledged to become carbon positive by 2035 — the most ambitious climate target of any UK bank. No fossil fuel lending. (Atom Bank)
Pocket
Instant Saver Reward at 4.75% (3% base with 4.75% reward for no monthly withdrawals); Fixed Saver accounts ranging 4.5–5.1% AER depending on term. Market-leading digital rates. (Atom Bank)
Performance
Trustpilot 4.9/5 from 15,800+ reviews — UK's most trusted bank on Trustpilot. Good Shopping Guide score 65. Four-day week innovator. (Trustpilot / Good Shopping Guide)
Products & Services
savings accounts (instant saver, fixed saver), cash ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, remortgage), business savings accounts
UK's second-largest building society providing savings accounts and mortgages. First building society to achieve B Corp certification. Good Shopping Guide score 85. Ethical Consumer score 78 for savings.
People
B Corp certified in 2023 with score of 97.3 — first building society to achieve B Corp. National Sustainability Award 2024 and Learning Excellence Award winner for diversity programme. (B Corp)
Planet
Net zero target for Scope 3 upstream emissions by 2030, full net zero ambition by 2040. ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement and ISO 14064-1 accredited. (Coventry Building Society)
Pocket
Limited Access Saver at 4.85% AER with 4 withdrawals annually; membership yields average savings rate 0.62 percentage points above market. (Coventry Building Society)
Performance
Ranked 13th out of 50 super-large UK organisations in 2025 Best Workplaces (highest Midlands ranking); CCA Excellence Awards 2025 winner. (Best Workplaces / CCA)
Products & Services
savings accounts (limited access saver, easy access, fixed-rate bonds), cash ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, remortgage)
Regional building society serving North West England and South West Scotland with savings, mortgages and current accounts. Strong community roots. Ethical Consumer score 72 for current and business accounts.
People
Committed £500,000 over two years to combat food poverty; 'Kinder Kind of Kitchen' partnership provided £250,000 to 52 charitable groups and donated fridges/freezers to 66 groups. (Cumberland Building Society)
Planet
First building society in the North to achieve B Corp certification. No overseas stock market investments — all investment kept local. Sustainability embedded through Kinder Banking philosophy. (Cumberland Building Society / B Corp)
Pocket
Fixed rate savings at 4.75% (two-year) and 4.25% (one-year); Instant Access at 3.40–3.60% AER. Full FSCS protection up to £120,000. (Cumberland Building Society)
Performance
Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for 5th consecutive year with 90%+ five-star reviews (2,110 verified reviews). Best Companies three-star accreditation. (Feefo / Best Companies)
Products & Services
current accounts, savings accounts (fixed rate, instant access), cash ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let), personal loans, business accounts, business savings, business loans
Specialist building society focused entirely on sustainable property and ecological construction. Provides mortgages for energy-efficient homes, renovations, and eco-builds. Ethical Consumer Best Buy (perfect score 100/100 for savings). Good Shopping Guide score 98.
People
Accredited Living Wage Employer since 2015 ensuring all staff receive at least the real Living Wage; Pay Compare certified for salary transparency. (Living Wage Foundation)
Planet
Net zero greenhouse gas emissions target in lending by 2050; cut business travel emissions by 52% since 2019. Every mortgage must demonstrably improve ecological sustainability. (Ecology Building Society)
Pocket
Eco Home Mortgage at 4.19% discounted variable rate to 80% LTV; Affordable Local Homes mortgage with no early repayment charge. Savings rates competitive within building society sector. (Ecology Building Society)
Performance
Perfect 100/100 Ethical Consumer score — the highest-rated savings provider in the UK. First building society awarded the Fair Tax Mark in 2016. Trustpilot 4.6/5 Excellent. (Ethical Consumer / Trustpilot)
Products & Services
eco mortgages (energy-efficient homes, renovation, self-build, small holdings, affordable local homes), savings accounts (instant access, regular saver, fixed-rate bonds), cash ISAs
UK-based Shariah-compliant bank offering savings accounts and home finance products. Signatory to UN Principles for Responsible Banking. Ethical Consumer score 56 for savings.
People
Provides ethical banking option for Muslim communities; Shariah compliance naturally screens out arms, alcohol, tobacco and adult entertainment from all investments. (Gatehouse Bank)
Planet
Founding signatory to UN Principles for Responsible Banking in 2019, aligning strategy with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreement. (Gatehouse Bank / UNEP FI)
Pocket
Shariah-compliant savings with profits shared as expected profit rates (not interest); competitive rates from socially responsible investments. Home finance products compliant with Islamic principles. (Gatehouse Bank)
Performance
Won 'Best Green Fixed Rate Savings Provider' at 2025 Moneynet Personal Finance Awards; 'Best Islamic Bank' for fourth time at Islamic Finance News Awards 2024; 'Most Trusted Islamic Bank UK' 2025. (Moneynet / IFN)
Products & Services
Shariah-compliant savings accounts (easy access, fixed-term deposits), home finance products (home purchase plans, buy-to-let finance), cash ISAs
Major UK building society offering savings accounts and mortgages. Known for competitive fixed-rate savings. Ethical Consumer score 84 for savings. Good Shopping Guide score 75.
People
Donated over £1m to 240 organisations in 2024; Foundation awarded £344,947 to 61 charities. Barnardo's partnership raised £130,000. 6,400+ staff volunteer hours in 2024. (Leeds Building Society)
Planet
60% reduction target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030; achieved carbon neutrality for operational emissions. Signatory to UN Principles for Responsible Banking. (Leeds Building Society)
Pocket
Savings rates 0.90% above market average in 2025; members received £225.6m in extra interest. Mortgage rates from 4.73% (2-year fixed) and 4.77% (5-year fixed). (Leeds Building Society)
Performance
Trustpilot 4.7/5 Excellent rating. Contact Centre of the Year 2024 (NECCA Awards); 9-year consecutive Best Shared Ownership Lender (What Mortgage Awards). 94% member satisfaction. (Trustpilot / What Mortgage)
Products & Services
savings accounts (instant access, regular saver, fixed-rate bonds), cash ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, shared ownership, remortgage)
Mortgage brokerage connecting homebuyers with ethical and responsible lenders across the UK market. GSG Ethical Accreditation, ethical mortgage broker.
People
Connects borrowers with lenders meeting ethical standards, supporting responsible homeownership. (Lenderhive)
Planet
Steers mortgage finance toward responsible lenders with sustainable business practices. (Lenderhive)
Pocket
GSG Ethical Accreditation; ethical mortgage broker helping clients find values-aligned lending. (Good Shopping Guide)
Performance
Accredited ethical mortgage specialist with growing reputation in UK ethical finance space. (Good Shopping Guide)
Products & Services
ethical mortgage brokerage
UK high-street bank founded in 2010, offering current accounts, savings, mortgages and business banking with extended opening hours including weekends. Good Shopping Guide score 55. Ethical Consumer score 34 for current accounts. Which? score 77.
People
Donated over £1.5m to local charities and community projects in 2023; partnered with approximately 500 local organisations to promote financial literacy. (Metro Bank)
Planet
Using Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials methodology to calculate mortgage portfolio emissions. Progress on net zero pledges with reductions in paper usage and travel emissions. (Metro Bank)
Pocket
No monthly account fees for personal current accounts. Over 80 branches with extended opening hours 7 days a week including weekends and evenings. (Metro Bank)
Performance
Smart Money People 4.88/5 from 10,570 reviews. 'Large Loans Mortgage Lender of the Year' 2023 and 2024. Which? score 77. Good Shopping Guide score 55. (Smart Money People / Which? / Good Shopping Guide)
Products & Services
personal current accounts, savings accounts, cash ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let), personal loans, credit cards, business current accounts, business savings, business loans, commercial mortgages, safe deposit boxes
UK's largest building society offering current accounts, savings, mortgages and insurance. Mutual ownership means profits benefit members not shareholders. Good Shopping Guide score 85. Ethical Consumer score 70 for current accounts. Which? score 84.
People
Nationwide Foundation supports over 540 charities with 118,500 beneficiaries through strategic partnerships including community-led housing and housing system transformation. (Nationwide Foundation)
Planet
Committed to 42% reduction in absolute Scope 1 emissions by 2030; 100% renewable electricity sourcing by 2030. Member of Net-Zero Banking Alliance and Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero. (Nationwide)
Pocket
FlexDirect current account offers 5% AER fixed for first 12 months on balances up to £1,500, plus 1% monthly cashback (up to £5/month) for 12 months. (Nationwide)
Performance
Ranked first for customer satisfaction in peer group for 11th consecutive year (2013–2024); 87% customer satisfaction in FY2022–23. Which? score 84. (Which? / Nationwide)
Products & Services
current accounts (FlexDirect, FlexAccount, FlexPlus), savings accounts (instant access, regular saver, fixed-rate bonds), cash ISAs, stocks & shares ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, remortgage, shared ownership, green mortgages), personal loans (car loans, home improvement loans), credit cards, overdrafts, home insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, income protection insurance, breakdown cover, investment products, financial planning services
North East England building society offering savings, mortgages and financial advice. Active community supporter. Good Shopping Guide score 55. Ethical Consumer score 66 for savings.
People
£1.1m donated to Newcastle BS Community Fund in 2024, building endowment to £3.5m; £140,000 distributed reaching 200,000+ people through 24 regional charities. 10,000+ staff volunteer hours. (Newcastle Building Society)
Planet
DitchCarbon Score of 45/100 indicating moderate sustainability; has not established Science-Based Targets initiative commitments. Developing environmental focus through community fund. (DitchCarbon / Newcastle Building Society)
Pocket
Top regular savings rate of 5.15%; best fixed-rate bond at 3.9%. Competitive rates across easy access and fixed-term products. (Newcastle Building Society)
Performance
Trustpilot 4/5 rating from 320 reviews. Praised for well-run branches with friendly, helpful staff. Good Shopping Guide score 55. (Trustpilot / Good Shopping Guide)
Products & Services
savings accounts (regular saver, fixed-rate bonds, easy access), cash ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, shared ownership), financial advice, financial planning
Wales's largest building society offering savings and mortgages. Strong Welsh community presence. Ethical Consumer score 68 for savings.
People
Raised £245,000 in 2024 for Tŷ Hafan and Hope House children's hospices (£752,000 three-year total). £1.5m+ through Future Generations Fund since 2022; 50,000+ young people in financial education workshops. (Principality Building Society)
Planet
Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 (halving Scope 3 by same year), full net zero across all scopes by 2040. Purchased 414 tonnes CO2 offsets; switched to renewable electricity and green gas. (Principality Building Society)
Pocket
Easy Access Regular Saver at 4.75% variable; Fixed Term Bonds at 7.36–7.50% AER; 1-Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA at 3.70%. Competitive Welsh market rates. (Principality Building Society)
Performance
Ethical Consumer score 68 for savings. Wales's largest building society with strong regional identity. Record growth delivered in 2024. Trustpilot 3.1/5. (Ethical Consumer / Trustpilot)
Products & Services
savings accounts (easy access, cash ISA, fixed term bonds, regular saver), mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, shared ownership, remortgage), personal loans
East Anglia-based building society offering savings, mortgages and financial planning. Mutual with strong regional roots. Ethical Consumer score 80 for savings.
People
Community Fund has awarded £27,386 across 8 recipients in 2024; established 12 years via Essex Community Foundation. Estimated 63,352 people helped through £250,000+ total funding. (Saffron Building Society)
Planet
Does not fund fossil fuel companies. Enviro Saver annually donates 0.10% of average balances to environmental charities at no cost to customers. (Saffron Building Society)
Pocket
Enviro Saver instant access savings plus Cash ISA at 4.2% top rate. Regular savings including Members' Month Loyalty Saver. FSCS protection up to £120,000. (Saffron Building Society)
Performance
Smart Money People savings rating 4.66/5 from 5,273 reviews; mortgage rating 4.57/5 from 851 reviews. Strong customer praise for staff and local branch presence. (Smart Money People)
Products & Services
savings accounts (enviro saver, cash ISA, regular saver, fixed-rate bonds), mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, remortgage, self-build), financial planning, financial advice
Major building society offering savings, mortgages and financial advice. Known for innovative products including 100% mortgage for first-time renters. Good Shopping Guide score 85. Ethical Consumer score 66 for savings.
People
Charitable Foundation donated over £944,000 to approximately 270 organisations in 2025; committed 1% of pre-tax profit to charity annually since 2022. Partner with Age UK. (Skipton Building Society)
Planet
Net zero commitment for 2050; diverts 99%+ waste from landfill. 'The Big Retrofit' project demonstrates net zero housing transformation with green mortgage products. 20 EV charge points at HQ. (Skipton Building Society)
Pocket
Track Record 100% mortgage at 5.09% (5-year fixed) — no deposit required for renters with good track record. Received £296m in applications since May 2023 launch. (Skipton Building Society)
Performance
Which? ranked #2 UK mortgage lender 2025 with 77% customer satisfaction. What Mortgage Best National Building Society for 10 consecutive years. Defence Employer Gold Award 2025. (Which? / What Mortgage)
Products & Services
savings accounts (easy access, fixed-rate bonds, regular saver), cash ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, remortgage, 100% Track Record mortgage for renters), financial advice, equity release
UK bank with a customer-led ethical policy since 1992 covering current accounts, savings, mortgages, credit cards and business banking. Good Shopping Guide score 93. Ethical Consumer score 74 for current accounts. Which? score 75. Trustpilot score 92.
People
Rejected 7 businesses in 2024 due to Ethical Policy conflicts including 3 human rights cases. Screens out arms dealing, oppressive regimes and exploitative labour. (The Co-operative Bank)
Planet
Unwavering commitment since 1998 to not banking fossil fuel extraction businesses. First reported emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3 in 2024 as a step toward Net Zero. (The Co-operative Bank)
Pocket
Full-service banking including free current accounts, mortgages, savings and credit cards. Customer-led ethical policy since 1992 governs all lending decisions. (The Co-operative Bank)
Performance
Rated UK's best high street bank in ESG by Morningstar Sustainalytics for 5th consecutive year (risk rating 11.2, Jan 2025). Good Shopping Guide score 93. Trustpilot 92. (Sustainalytics / Good Shopping Guide / Trustpilot)
Products & Services
current accounts (Standard, Everyday Extra, Privilege, Privilege Premier), savings accounts (regular saver, easy access, fixed-rate bonds), cash ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, remortgage, green additional borrowing), personal loans (car loans, home improvement loans), credit cards, overdrafts, business current accounts, SME banking, business loans, insurance (home, life, travel), financial planning
Full-service UK bank offering current accounts, savings, mortgages, credit cards and insurance. Now part of Nationwide Group (subject to regulatory approval). Good Shopping Guide score 85. Ethical Consumer score 48 for current accounts. Which? score 71.
People
Parent company Nationwide achieved 83.8% customer experience score (exceeding 83.6% target) for period ending March 2025. Good Shopping Guide 'Good' ratings across social categories. (Nationwide / Good Shopping Guide)
Planet
Now included in Nationwide's ESG reporting from October 2024 forward. Nationwide membership brings Net-Zero Banking Alliance and GFANZ commitments. (Nationwide)
Pocket
Full-service bank offering current accounts, savings, mortgages, credit cards and insurance. Now part of Nationwide Group since October 2024 — ethical position expected to strengthen post-merger. (Virgin Money)
Performance
80% recommendation rate in Finder's 2025 customer satisfaction survey. Good Shopping Guide score 85. Which? score 71. Trustpilot 3.3/5 from 11,100+ reviews. (Finder / Good Shopping Guide / Which? / Trustpilot)
Products & Services
current accounts (M Account, M Plus Account), savings accounts (easy access, fixed-rate bonds, regular saver), cash ISAs, stocks & shares ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, remortgage), personal loans, credit cards, travel insurance, home insurance, life insurance, business current accounts, business savings, business loans, pensions
Midlands-based building society offering savings and mortgage products. One of the UK's top ten building societies by asset size. Ethical Consumer score 74 for savings.
People
Launched West Bromwich Building Society Foundation in 2024; donated over £48,000 to charities in last 12 months. Supports Barnardo's raising £9,500+ annually. £16,000+ in community grants. (West Bromwich Building Society)
Planet
Climate and sustainability governance in place with near-term emissions reduction targets. Green lending products developed. Renewable energy and property improvements focus. (West Bromwich Building Society)
Pocket
Four Access Saver at 4.55% AER variable; fixed rate regular saver and limited access accounts available. Mutual model returns value to members through competitive rates. (West Bromwich Building Society)
Performance
Ethical Consumer score 74 for savings. Established Midlands mutual with competitive rates. Trustpilot 2.4/5 — customer experience under improvement. (Ethical Consumer / Trustpilot)
Products & Services
savings accounts (four access saver, easy access, fixed-rate bonds), cash ISAs, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, remortgage)
One of the UK's largest building societies offering savings, mortgages and current accounts. Mutual ownership with strong community focus. Ethical Consumer score 80 for savings. Good Shopping Guide score 80. Trustpilot score 94.
People
Surpassed £10m in total charitable donations; delivered 548 financial and career education sessions in 2024. Partnership with Citizens Advice supported 8,100 people since 2021. (Yorkshire Building Society)
Planet
Committed to Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 (brought forward from 2035); Scope 3 by 2050. Signatory to UN Principles for Responsible Banking. Fourth annual ESG report published. (Yorkshire Building Society)
Pocket
Average savings rate of 3.66% in 2025, 0.62 percentage points above market; no variable rate savings below 2.35% AER. Provided £313m extra interest to savers versus market average. (Yorkshire Building Society)
Performance
Trustpilot 4.7/5 Excellent rating; opened 480,000 savings accounts in 2025 reflecting strong member trust and satisfaction. (Trustpilot / Yorkshire Building Society)
Products & Services
savings accounts (easy access, regular saver, fixed-rate bonds), cash ISAs, current accounts, mortgages (residential, buy-to-let, remortgage, shared ownership), personal loans
