Triodos Bank believes consumers want to use their money in ways that benefit themselves and the wider community. “There are many ways to use money constructively and cleanly, without losing out financially,” says Bierman. “Our money has the power to make a real difference to the people and places we care about most. So why not take control of it?”

The Take Control campaign includes the launch of a new Charity Saver - an account, launched with Amnesty International and Oxfam, that provides savers with a healthy financial and social return. Triodos is also offering an unconventional investment opportunity through a forthcoming ethical share issue in the Ethical Property Company. Later in the year Triodos plans to launch a new range of simple savings accounts that will only be used to support positive social, environmental or cultural initiatives.

Brigid Benson, from the Ethical Investment Association, speaking at the launch of the Charity Saver account said, “The Take Control campaign presents an important challenge to consumers and banks alike. Conventionally, financial institutions have volunteered very little information about how they invest our money. And consumers are increasingly frustrated by this lack of transparency. We applaud Triodos Bank’s efforts to challenge the widely held notion that ‘people don’t care how their money’s used’. “

Triodos Bank claims that the results suggest that far from being the root of evil, money can be a force for positive change.