Green businesses: Break up with your mega-bank and make your money work for your values! We'll show you how to make the shift into community investment banking.

2. The Green Business Network
Our mission is to work with
businesses everywhere to grow
a green economy that’s good for
people and the planet.
We are a vibrant community
of over 3,000 businesses
committed to creating
a better world.

3. Connect. Market. Grow.
Seal Of Approval
Backed by Almost 30 Years of Experience and
Reputation
National Green Pages
Sold at Newsstands & Distributed to Green
America Members
Green Festivals
10 Years and 1 Million Attendees
Green Business Seminars
Experts on Green Business

4. The NEW
GreenPages.org
GreenPages.org has a brand
new look and many exciting
new features – all designed to
bring you more customers.
NEW Showcase Listings let you
add graphics, videos, coupons
and more!

5. New Apps
for iPhone and Android
Green products and services
On the go.
The National
Green Pages® -
Now available for
smartphones.
FREE download for
iPhone and Android

6. GreenGain: My Dashboard

7. Have Questions?
Desireé Reese-Wolford
Deputy Director, Green Business Network
202-872-5330
dreese@greenamerica.org
www.GreenBusinessNetwork.org
www.facebook.com/greenbusinessnetwork
www.twitter.com/greenbiznetwork

8. Today’s Focus!
What is Community Development Banking?
Getting the banking products and services you need
in ways that:
•Support low-to-moderate income communities
•Support small business
•Support job creation
•Provide responsible loans and services
•Often provide technical support
•Are rooted in the community it serves
Banking that is mission driven –
like you!

9. What are Community Development Financial
Institutions (CDFIs)?
“CDFIs” are banks, credit unions, loan funds, and
other financial institutions dedicated to the economic
uplift of struggling communities. Many CDFIs are
certified by the federal government – a high
credential that attests to the institution’s
commitment to strengthening lower income
neighborhoods.
“Community Bank” vs. “Community Development
Bank” – a community bank can be a good choice; a
community development bank ensures there is a
positive impact on communities in need.

10. What Does Community Banking Mean for
Green Business?
•The Story of Growing Home – urban agriculture,
Chicago
•Danny Schwartzman’s story – entrepreneur, café
owner, Minneapolis
There are thousands of stories across the
country…yours could be one of them!

11. Mega-Bank Problems
•“Too big to fail”
•Predatory practices
•Failure to follow the law
•Deceptive terms
(tricks and traps)
•Strip wealth from those who can least
afford it
•Invest in coal (mountain top removal),
projects internationally lacking supply chain
or environmental oversight
•Not interested in the
needs of small,
green businesses.

12. Now is the Time! Break Up With
Your Mega-Bank!
Since Valentine’s Day 2008, Green America’s Break Up
with Your Mega-Bank Campaign has been urging the
public to “break-up” and start a healthy, new banking
relationship with community development, or green
banks, dedicated to people and the planet.
We support the Occupy Wall Street movement,
the Move Your Money Campaign, and other
initiatives calling on people to choose better
banks.

13. Green Business Choose Green
Banks!
As a green business, you pay attention to
issues affecting the health of your
customers, the well-being of your
community, the environment, energy usage,
waste management, and more.
How green is your banking?
Our GreenGain tool includes green banking
as an important part of being a green
business.

14. How Do I Switch?
Green America makes it easy.
STEP #1: Locate Your New Bank/Credit
Union

15. Where do I Find Green Banks or
Credit Unions?
How to find possibilities:
•Green America Business Members
•CDFI Fund Certified
•Community Development Banks
•Community Development Credit Unions

16. Next Steps
Simple Steps:
•Open your new account
•Transfer money to new bank or credit
union
•Transfer auto debits and credits
•Set up online banking
•Once systems are in place at your new
bank or credit union – close your mega-
bank account (or only keep it open for
limited needs).

17. Overcoming Barriers
a. Inertia
b. Time/hassle
c. Questions about how to proceed (break up)
d. Lack of knowledge of where to find a better bank
e. Lack of knowledge about safety/soundness of
better banks
f. Concern about getting business needs met (issue
of using more than 1 banking institution)
All addressed
in our kit!

18. Contact
Fran Teplitz
fteplitz@greenamerica.org
202-872-5326
Todd Larsen
toddlarsen@greenamerica.org
202-872-5310
breakupwithyourmegabank.org