10 Places to Park Your Cash, Earn Interest and Do Good

RPaul Herman — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:35:11 GMT

10 HIP PLACES TO PARK YOUR CASH, EARN INTEREST AND DO GOOD

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Here are 10 places to park your cash and savings nationwide - a selection of the most innovative banks, credit unions and newer financial firms - that can deliver strong, positive human, social and environmental benefits while also creating profit – for your bank and your portfolio. Human Impact AND Profit, now that's "HIP".

1. The Green Bank in Texas embraces innovative technology and old fashioned customer care while consciously promoting environmental responsibility. (www.greenbank.com).

2. Chittenden in Vermont has built an impressive
Socially Responsible Banking program (SRB), the centerpiece of their comprehensive community development initiatives (www.chittenden.com).

3. ShoreBank Pacific, in Washington and Oregon, operates on a “triple bottom line" philosophy, and expects customers to do the same (www.eco-bank.com).

4. As a local customer-owned community bank, Home Savings Bank in Dane County, Wisconsin is committed to
being a positive influence on the local economy and the environment. They offer a full suite of green financial products (www.homesavings.com).

5. Wainwright Bank in Massachusetts (and publicly listed on NASDAQ: WAIN) operates on a progressive social agenda based on the 1960s civil rights movement (www.wainwrightbank.com).

6. The non-profit Center for Community Self-Help in
North Carolina provides financing, technical support and advocacy for those outside the economic mainstream (www.self-help.org).

7. Charter Oak Bank in Northern California, is only in its fourth year and has surpassed $100 million in assets. This
community bank in Napa Valley focuses on providing products and services to meet local needs (www.charteroakbank.com).

8. Founded by renowned entrepreneurs, business leaders and highly experienced bankers, the New Resource Bank in Northern California focuses on how banking can empower businesses, organizations and individuals to have greater impact - they also provide loans for solar panels and renewable energy (www.newresourcebank.com).

9. Zopa is a global social-finance company with operations in the United States, the UK and Italy - open up an attractive interest-rate Certificate of Deposit (www.zopa.com).

10. Old Hickory Credit Union in Tennessee offers a green checking option which includes E-statements only, recycled checks,unlimited reimbursment of ATM fees, free online bill payment, and more, all to minimize paper use (www.ohcu.org). Similar options are cropping up everywhere - ask your banker what they offer!

LEARN MORE HERE, and share your recommendations on other HIP places to park your cash!

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10 Places to Park Your Cash, Earn Interest and Do Good