Triodos Bank CEO Peter Watts on the Need for Purpose-led Banking

As the CEO of Triodos Bank, Peter Watts has been a vocal advocate for purpose-led banking in an industry where shareholder value often takes precedence over sustainability and community impact. With a background as a chartered environmentalist, Watts brings a unique perspective to the world of finance.

Fueling Change

Watts’ journey into finance began with a conversation about the UK’s recycling sector, which opened his eyes to the ways in which financial systems can undermine sustainability. He believes that the banking sector’s sense of self-worth is “hugely over-inflated” and that banks need to do more to address important issues affecting communities.

He criticizes the reliance on corporate social responsibility initiatives, arguing that banks should instead adopt purpose-led business models that prioritize positive impact over profit.

Transparency and Accountability

Watts emphasizes the importance of transparency in banking, particularly when it comes to how banks invest their customers’ money. He believes that customers have the power to drive change in the system but are often held back by a lack of information about where their money is being invested.

He commends Triodos Bank for its commitment to transparency, noting that the bank publishes every loan and investment it makes. He believes that common regulations requiring banks to disclose their lending practices could be a game-changer for the industry.

Conscious Banking

Watts is a strong proponent of radical transparency as a means to shift public consciousness and empower customers to make informed choices about where they bank. He points to examples where public awareness has led to companies changing their practices, such as the backlash against Barclays for backing fracking.

While progress has been made through campaigns like Make My Money Matter, Watts acknowledges that there is still a long way to go in raising public awareness about the impact of banking practices on sustainability.

Investing in Nature

Triodos Bank has made a name for itself by investing in nature recovery projects, such as natural flood management and biodiversity initiatives. Watts believes that engaging private sector finance is crucial to supporting the scale of nature’s recovery that is needed.

He highlights a landmark investment in Oxygen Conservation as an example of how banks can play a significant role in conservation efforts. This investment, totaling £20.55 million, is believed to be the largest conservation-focused commercial debt package in the UK to date.

Looking Ahead

As Watts prepares to step down as CEO, he remains committed to pursuing endeavors with a positive purpose at their core. He sees Triodos Bank as a reference point in the banking industry for innovative and constructive practices that challenge the status quo.

His main achievement at Triodos has been staying true to the bank’s mission, and he hopes to see the bank continue to push boundaries and inspire change in the industry.

About the Author

Catherine Early is a freelance environmental journalist and chief reporter for The Ecologist online. Connect with her on Bluesky @catearly.bsky.social.