We are Redefining Banking as a B Corp
Money With a Mission: Why We Chose B Corp Status to Fight Climate Change
Clean Energy Credit Union is proud to be a Certified B Corp, a distinction that reinforces our mission-driven approach to banking. Unlike traditional financial institutions that prioritize shareholder profits, our B Corp status legally embeds our commitment to people and the planet into our corporate DNA.
By meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, we ensure that every dollar deposited by our members is used exclusively to finance clean energy loans for solar panels, electric vehicles, and green home improvements.
As a leader in sustainable finance, we aren’t just a bank; we are a verified force for good, dedicated to democratizing clean energy and accelerating the transition to a fossil-fuel-free future.
We’re raising the standard for what a financial institution can be.
100% fossil-free, member-owned, and mission-driven
-
Clean Energy Loans Funded:14,000+
-
Cumulative Clean Energy Loans Funded:$261M
-
(Est.) Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Offset:1,144,199
Clean Energy Credit Union calculates its carbon offsets based on a study commissioned by the Climate Action Reserve. The study evaluates each clean energy loan type and assigns a specific offset value. We update these calculations monthly, reflecting the impact of our current loan portfolio and demonstrating ongoing carbon offset progress. The metrics above are equivalent to 1 Million tons of Carbon Offset based on the EPA’s carbon offset calculator.
Calculate your Offset
Why Our B Corp Journey at Clean Energy Credit Union Matters
In the world of finance, “growth” is usually the only metric that gets a seat at the table. But at Clean Energy Credit Union, we’ve always felt that if your money isn’t working for the planet, it’s not really working at all.
That’s why we took the leap to become a Certified B Corp. It wasn’t just about adding a logo to our website; it was about proving—to ourselves and to you—that our mission to combat climate change is baked into our legal DNA.
— Terri Mickelsen (CEO)We’re thrilled to announce that Clean Energy Credit Union has officially earned B Corp Certification. This milestone reflects our deep commitment to ethical banking, environmental stewardship, and community impact. This achievement affirms our leadership in redefining what credit unions can stand for in America.
What Does “B Corp” Actually Mean?
Think of it as a rigorous “nutrition label” for social and environmental impact. While most financial institutions focus on maximizing shareholder profits, B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
For us, this certification validates the “Clean” in our name. From financing residential solar panels to electric vehicles and geothermal systems, every dollar we lend is a vote for a fossil-fuel-free future.
The goal we’re chasing is massive: to democratize clean energy and accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy. It’s easy to write that in a mission statement, but it’s much harder to do when the traditional banking system is still heavily invested in the status quo.
The Challenge: We aren’t just a bank; we are a movement. We’re working to make clean energy affordable for everyone, not just those with high credit scores or deep pockets.
The Honesty: We know we can’t solve the climate crisis alone. But we believe that by providing specialized, low-cost financing for green tech, we can remove the single biggest barrier to entry for the average household: upfront cost.
The Path Forward
We are incredibly proud to stand alongside other B Corp leaders, but we aren’t resting on our laurels. The “Big Goal” requires us to keep innovating—finding new ways to lower rates for green projects and expanding our reach to underserved communities.
Every time you open an account or take out a green loan, you aren’t just a customer; you’re a partner in this transition. You are proof that finance can be a force for good.
Our Story
Clean Energy Credit Union was founded with a bold vision: to make clean energy accessible and affordable for everyone. From the beginning, our mission has been about more than just banking, it’s about empowering people to take climate action in their own lives and building a sustainable future for our communities.
2017
Founded as a federally chartered credit union with a mission to accelerate the clean energy movement.
2018
Funded our first loan, launched IRA accounts, and reached 15,000 tons of carbon offset.
2019
Funded our first electric bike and geothermal system loans.
2020
Introduced checking accounts to better serve our members.
2021
Welcomed our 5,000th member and grew our team with a wave of new hires, strengthening our culture and capacity.
2022
Launched a new website and celebrated $100 million in loans funded.
2023
Launched the Clean Energy for All Loan Program, offering a 0.50%+ rate discount to expand access to affordable clean energy financing for BIPOC and low-income borrowers.
2024
Surpassed one million tons of carbon offset.
2025
Achieved Certified B Corporation™ status and joined a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) to expand collaboration and impact.
Our Core Values
Passion
We are passionate about helping our members and take the time to get to know them as we serve their needs and address challenges with a smile.
Pride
We take pride in what we do, bringing an innovative spirit to our industry with big ideas that push boundaries. We go above and beyond to ensure we are experts in our field.
People
People are at the center of everything we do. We take a people first approach – seeing our members as people not numbers. We practice empathy and kindness when working with our members and each other. We find strength in diversity and learning from others.
Purpose
The environment is important to us, and each day we demonstrate our commitment to sustainable and responsible practices both personally and professionally.
Persistence
We own situations from start to finish and are always accountable for our actions, providing continuous support to our teammates and members.
Not a Member?
Learn how to break up with fossil fuels here.
FAQs
A Certified B Corporation is a company that meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corps are businesses that balance profit with purpose, working not only to be the best in the world but the best for the world.
Unlike companies that prioritize profit above all else, B Corps consider the impact of their decisions on their employees, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. They are committed (and required) to take all stakeholders—not just shareholders—into account.
Clean Energy CU decided to become a B Corp for a variety of reasons, including:
- Build Trust: Demonstrate transparency and credibility to our members, supporters, and employees.
- Solidify our vision: As part of our commitment to our vision and mission, we pursued this certification to help ensure that our mission isn’t just aspirational but structurally embedded in how our credit union operates.
- Differentiate: Stand out in the marketplace as a purpose-driven credit union, the first in the U.S. to accomplish b corp status.
- Attract Talent: Many employees, especially younger generations, want to work for companies that align with their values.
- Drive Improvement: The certification process helps us identify opportunities to strengthen sustainability, equity, and governance practices.
To become a B corp, we had to complete a B Impact Assessment, a rigorous review of our business practices across categories like governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. It was required that we earn a minimum score and attempt to amend legal governing documents to reflect our commitment to stakeholder accountability.
Certification is granted by B Lab, a nonprofit organization that develops standards, policies, and tools for businesses to measure their impact and holds companies accountable to those standards.
Some well-known B Corps include Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Allbirds, and Seventh Generation. These companies represent diverse industries but share a commitment to people and the planet. Find a b corp