El compromiso social de la banca alternativa

Traditionally, banking entities have engaged in an economic commitment with savers and investors channelling their funds towards the most productive investments in the market. However, banking intermediation can also include a social commitment which may even take priority over the economic commitment. This alternative, atypical in banking (alternative banking, also known as ethical, social or sustainable banking), narrows economic profit margins, while enhancing the social utility of the intermediation, making it particularly attractive for socially responsible savers and investors. This article analyses the major differences between alternative and traditional banking, based on a theoretical study of the code of conduct which has consequences in banking practice. We introduce several indicators to measure, specifically, the acquired degree of the social commitment in the banking intermediation. Finally, we consider the necessity of evaluating the benefits of the alternative banking activity using variables other than the habitual ones.