This is bigger than all of us. Yes, we are a credit union. And, yes, we help people with their money. But for us, it’s so much more than that. It’s about people first, planet always, and thinking big about how finance can help empower the lives of everyone.

To do that, we use a values-based banking business model. And it is happening around the world. The collective goal is to help make financial organizations more transparent and to help support positive local economic, social and environmental change.

Here in North Carolina, we are listening to members and making decisions about lending, investing, and supporting your local communities with this values-based banking business model. And we are not alone. We are part of a global network of credit unions and banks that are pioneering ways to use finance to help transform the people and places we call home.

Since 2021, Civic has been an associate member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), an international network of organizations and leaders in the banking industry who are focused on this mission — and the important responsibility that comes with it.

What does a values-based banking business model mean for North Carolinians? A lot. Every day our Civic team works to:

1. Strengthen local economies: Every loan or investment we make has an impact on your unique community. From small businesses to first-time homebuyers, we are mindful of the impact our decisions have on your ability to succeed. As a credit union, the money we lend and invest stays local to the areas we serve.
    
2. Support local community programs: North Carolinians know their unique strengths and challenges in hometowns across the state. Communities have programs to help meet the needs of their town residents. We listen to understand and help support programs that focus on local social, economic, and environmental work to help more people.
    
3. Be responsible about local environments: Between our vast mountain ranges and beautiful coastal beaches are 100 counties with more than 10 million people. Our decisions about energy, waste and ecosystems matter to the health of our planet. We are committed to making responsible and sustainable decisions to help preserve the health and well-being of the environments in which we work, live and play.
    

Today, Civic is one of 70 member organizations that make up the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV). Together, this group serves 60 million customers in more than 45 countries and holds more than $200 billion in combined assets under management.

Our Civic teams believe in values-based banking and the enormous opportunity it creates for us to put local finance at the service of North Carolinians and our planet.