Ecology AGM and "Green Money - Ecological Perspectives on the Credit Crisis" debate

Green Money Debate set to make a splash!

In these turbulent times for the financial sector, Ecology Building Society extends an public invitation to Manchester’s for a free debate on the role of Green Money in the financial crisis

Specialist green lender Ecology Building Society is bringing its annual AGM to Manchester this year and offering the opportunity to members of the public to attend and participate in a debate: “Green Money – Ecological Perspectives on the Financial Crisis”.

Ecology has assembled a distinguished panel of speakers for the event; comprising Andrew Simms, Policy Director at the New Economics Foundation, Alice Chapple, a Director of Forum for the Future, Miriam Kennet, Director of the Green Economics Institute and Julia Dreblow, a Director of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association, chaired by the BBC’s Sarah Pennells.

The question of achieving sustainable financial models for the future is at the heart of Ecology’s beliefs and borne out by their own experience. Whilst elsewhere the industry is reporting difficulties in attracting new business the Ecology is experiencing new levels of growth and investment. So, why is a small society such as the Ecology bucking the industry trend?

At the Ecology, the majority of members’ savings are used to fund the Society’s growing portfolio of green mortgages. Designed to improve the environment by promoting ecological building practices and sustainable communities these mortgages are only available for properties that have a positive environmental benefit. So, whilst receiving a good return on their investment, savers are secure in the knowledge that they are helping to build a more sustainable future - they are opting to invest ethically.

More than that, as a small building society the Ecology operates a relatively simple and very transparent business model. Unlike larger financial institutions the Society only lends money that can be afforded from its pool of member savings. And even then, a proportion of its assets are always kept in liquidity to ensure that withdrawal requests can always be met. This means that the Ecology Building Society does not and has no need to become intertwined in the complexities of global financial markets to manage its portfolio.

Whilst the size of the Society enables the delivery of personal customer service, its ethics and simplicity by design present an attractive and trustworthy proposition for savers who are recognising that small really is beautiful.

Places at the event are limited, so to pre-register, email the Society’s Jon Lee using the contact form below, or telephone 01535 650774 with your contact details and the number of places you wish to reserve.

Notes:
1. Ecology Building Society was the first lender to offer green mortgages, and has been doing so since 1981.
2. Ecology offers a straight-forward range of ethical savings accounts - including a tax-free Cash ISA and penalty-free instant access accounts for individuals, charities and corporate bodies.
3. The Earthwise Cash ISA continues to be the Society’s most successful account, continually attracting high levels of deposit each month
4. For further details on the Ecology’s range of savings accounts visit http://www.ecology.co.uk/html/savings/range.htm and savings interest rates http://www.ecology.co.uk/html/savings/ratescharges.htm .
Contacts:
Jon Lee E-mail:
Tel: 01535 650774
For urgent enquiries prior to Friday March 27, please contact Paul Ellis, 01535 650770 or paulellis[at]ecology.co.uk