Hi all, I was wondering whether anyone has any insight into the ethical banks available in Belgium and whether how easy they are to use, whether they randomly shut down accounts (e.g. I heard revolut and N26 randomly shut down accounts for being suspicious).

I have found a website which lists some eco-friendly/ethical banks ([https://www.eupedia.com/ecology/most\_eco-friendly\_and\_sustainable\_banks.shtml](https://www.eupedia.com/ecology/most_eco-friendly_and_sustainable_banks.shtml)) but I haven’t used any other than Triodos which perfectly aligns with my values but doesn’t have a current account. Bonsai also seems good but they’re not really a bank and apparently have very slow transaction rates.

I am more in search of something similar that can offer a current account. Other than having some roughly good ethics and being a current account, things I would value in a bank but aren’t completely necessary are:

1) The app is in English

2) They don’t have delayed transactions (some of the transactions in my current accounts appear in my statement 3/4 days later so I never know how much money I truly have in my account)

3) Decent customer service

4) Ideally it would be free but if not at most cost €3

5) FSCS protected (or whatever something equivalent) in case of bankruptcy

6) Don’t randomly shut down accounts

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by tickle_my_eyeball

1 comment

  1. You can check the [ethical investment scores of Belgian banks via the Fairfin website](https://www.fairfin.be/bankwijzer) (only available in Dutch though).

    As you can see, Triodos scores highest but as you said it doesn’t have a current account.

    The problem is your first requirement: the app is in English. Neither Argenta nor VDK are in English. Only Dutch and French. All other boxes are ticked though. Instant transfers, good customer service, free (at least Argenta, not 100% about VDK), deposit insurance (but that’s an EU regulation that applieseverywhere to every bank, there’s a guarantee of 100k EUR per person per bank).

    The rest are big banks and don’t really seem to suit your requirements for ecological and ethical investments. (Don’t touch ING with a ten foot pole, go with KBC if you want a good app with English interface. KBC only offers instant transfers on paid plans though.)

    You’ll have to learn working with French or Dutch, or settle for a less eco/ethical bank if you want a Belgian bank I’m afraid.

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