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“Ladies, gentlemen, friends of FEBEA, good morning and welcome to the 24th FEBEA Conference.
It is a true honor to welcome you to Thun for our 24th Annual Conference. As President of the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks, I want to begin by expressing my gratitude to all of you for being here—and for being part of a movement that continues to redefine the social value of finance, as an essential tool for prosperity.
Let me extend a special and sincere thank you to our hosts, Banque Alternative Suisse, whose dedication and generosity have made this gathering possible. As one of FEBEA’s historical members, BAS has long been a reference of ethical banking in Europe, and your commitment to organizing this year’s conference reflects the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines our network.
Thank you, Nicole, Julia, Michel, Dominique, Simon, Claudia and all the team: without BAS’ availability, generosity and expertise, the organization of this two exciting days event would not have been possible.
Thank you to the sponsors of this event who, in one way or another, have contributed to its successful outcome. The support from the European Institutions, various local actors which endorse Ethical and Alternative Finance, and some of the FEBEA members, have made this possible through their generous contributions. Special thanks also to the European Commission, which supports FEBEA’s mission and serves as a key ally of the organization.
The attendance today is well over 150 people coming from 13 different countries. We will meet today colleagues from Belgium, Greece, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Spain, Austria, France, Ireland, Germany, Romania, Lithuania, Albania. One year more, a very good confirmation of Febea’s health, and our growing reputation all around the world, especially across Europe.
We welcome also European and global organizations and institutions with which we collaborate such as:
This year’s theme, “The Next Chapter of Ethical Finances” invites us to look forward—not with fear, but with purpose. It challenges us to imagine what ethical finance can become in a world marked by transformation and uncertainty, where searching the opportunities becomes increasingly difficult, but essential.
But before we turn the page, let us take a moment to reflect on the chapter we’ve just written together.
In the past year, our members have continued to demonstrate that ethical finances are not only viable—they are vital. We have supported local economies, empowered cooperatives, financed social innovation, and stood by communities in times of crisis. We have shown that financial institutions can be resilient without being extractive, profitable without being predatory, and ambitious without abandoning their values.
And yet, the world around us is changing rapidly. Today’s keynote speakers will guide us through the megatrends shaping our future: climate disruption, digital transformation, demographic shifts and, perhaps above all, our weakened democracies. Dynamics that are already reshaping our societies, our markets, and our institutions.
In this context, ethical finance must do more than adapt. We must lead.
And to lead, we must be willing to challenge dominant narratives—especially those that threaten to undermine the very foundations of sustainability and peace.
One such narrative is the increasingly popular assertion that “There is no sustainability without security.” On the surface, this phrase may sound reasonable. After all, who could argue against the need for safety and stability in a world facing multiple crises?
But beneath its polished rhetoric lies a troubling assumption: that sustainability can be achieved through militarization, surveillance, and the expansion of the security-industrial complex. That the path to a greener, fairer future must pass through the gates of armed deterrence and geopolitical control.
FEBEA rejects this vision.
We reject the idea that sustainability must be subordinated to security defined in narrow, militaristic terms. We reject the notion that peace can be built with weapons, or that ecological transition requires the reinforcement of borders and the exclusion of the vulnerable.
Ethical finance does not fund the arms industry, because we understand that true security is not the absence of threats—it is the presence of justice. It is the strength of communities, the health of ecosystems, and the dignity of every human being.
Let us be clear: there can be no sustainability without peace. And there can be no peace without equity, inclusion, and solidarity.
The ethical financial institutions represented in FEBEA are committed to this broader vision of security—one that prioritizes human rights, democratic participation, and ecological stewardship. We invest in housing, education, renewable energy, and social entrepreneurship. We support migrants, minorities, and marginalized groups. We build bridges, not walls.
This is not just a moral stance. It is a strategic one. Because the challenges we face—climate change, inequality, digital disruption—cannot be solved with tanks or drones. They require cooperation, innovation, and trust. They require institutions that listen, adapt, and serve. We cannot accept separating the demands of sustainability and justice, as we would run the risk of accepting a militarized social Darwinism that allows a sustainable future for a few and condemns many others to suffering, and even extinction.
In our central panel today, we will hear from FEBEA members about their strategies for the future. These are not just operational plans—they are expressions of hope. Of what ethical finance can become: more inclusive, more digital, more democratic, and more deeply rooted in the communities we serve.
We will explore how our institutions are embracing new technologies without compromising their values. How they are expanding access to finance while maintaining rigorous social and environmental standards. How they are navigating regulatory changes, geopolitical tensions, and market volatility with integrity and creativity.
And we will ask ourselves: What kind of future do we want to build? What kind of legacy do we want to leave?
Because the next chapter of ethical finance is not written in spreadsheets or policy briefs. It is written in the lives we touch, the partnerships we forge, and the principles we uphold.
It is written in our refusal to gamble on peace, even when the world tells us that war is inevitable. It is written in our commitment to sustainability, even when others claim it must be sacrificed for security. It is written in our belief that finance can be a tool for liberation—not domination. It is written in our solidarity with the people of Gaza, in our firm rejection of the ongoing genocide, and in the numerous practical actions taken by our members in support of them.
So, let us begin this conference not just as professionals, but as co-authors of a new story. A story where finance serves humanity, not the other way around. A story where ethical banking is not a niche, but a norm. A story where the future is not feared, but embraced—with courage, compassion, and conviction.
I cannot finish my intervention without giving special thanks to all our members and our professional team. 34 banks, financiers and organizations promoting ethical finances from 16 different European countries. They attended our General Assembly yesterday, where we could see a very motivating picture of a Federation that grows consistently and understand that there is still much to do. In addition, a professional team extremely competent and motivated, that has been able to bring our operations to a new level in the last years.
Yesterday, we welcomed new members, approved a very solid financial scheme and took our time to learn and exchange about Funding programs, communication strategies and new financial instruments offered by the EU. We finished the process of revision of our governance, building of a renewed sense of shared responsibility. The result is a stronger, more transparent Federation, with a governance model that reflects the values we stand for and prepares us for the future to come.
We set also the preliminary bases for our next Strategic period, where we have to reinforce our internal cohesion and face the challenges of ethical finance in a turbulent world where peace and sustainability are the two indivisible faces of Justice today.
Thank you for your presence, your leadership, and your unwavering belief in a better kind of banking. Let’s write this next chapter together.”
– Peru Sasia, President of FEBEA
