Triodos Bank is a European bank with a reputation for its expertise in sustainable finance.
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This page will explore what is Triodos Bank, what it does, and whether its sustainable investments work for your financial needs.
What is Triodos Bank?
Established in 1980 and headquartered in Zeist, Netherlands, Triodos Bank declares that its mission is to use money to drive positive social, environmental, and cultural change.
The bank operates in five European countries—Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Germany—and serves over 746,000 customers.
Triodos Bank History
Triodos Bank has its roots in 1968 when Adriaan Deking Dura, Dieter Brüll, Lex Bos, and Rudolf Mees formed a study group to explore sustainable financial management.
In 1971, the Triodos Foundation was established to support innovative projects through gifts and loans, later inspiring similar foundations across Europe.
The bank itself was founded in the Netherlands in 1980 with €540,000 in capital and a full banking license.
Triodos expanded internationally with the establishment of its first branch in Belgium in 1993, followed by the UK in 1995, and later Spain in 2004.
In 1999, Triodos Investment Management was launched to broaden its investment services, and in 2006, the bank set up its international headquarters in Zeist, Netherlands, while also beginning operations in Germany.
The bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values in 2009 and, in 2011, helped establish the Sustainable Finance Lab Foundation alongside Utrecht University to promote a resilient financial sector.
Further expansions included Triodos Finance in France in 2013 and the launch of the UK personal current account in 2017, which emphasized sustainable banking.
In 2018, the bank introduced a crowdfunding platform in the UK, enabling direct investments in equity and bonds.
What does Triodos Bank do?
Triodos Bank offers a range of sustainable investment and standard banking services designed to make a positive impact, such as:
- Triodos Pioneer Impact Fund: Focuses on small and medium-sized companies pioneering sustainable economic and social transitions, offering higher risk for potentially greater long-term returns.
- Triodos Global Equities Impact Fund: Invests in large, established companies advancing sustainability, balancing risk and long-term returns across various themes and sectors.
- Triodos Sterling Bond Impact Fund: Concentrates on corporate, green, and social bonds as well as UK government gilts, offering stable income and positive impact with a cautious approach.
- Triodos Future Generations Fund: Targets small and medium-sized enterprises contributing to child well-being and development, aligned with UNICEF’s goals, with a higher-risk, long-term outlook.
Triodos Bank also provides traditional banking offerings such as savings accounts, stocks and shares ISA, and current accounts.
Is Triodos Bank good?
The bank focuses on three main themes: environmental, cultural, and social impact. Its activities include financing renewable energy projects, organic farming, social housing, charities, and education.
In 2023, Triodos Bank co-financed 640 renewable energy projects that avoided 996 kilotonnes of CO2 emissions, supported 42,900 hectares of conservation land, and provided accommodation for 20,300 people through social housing initiatives.
Triodos Bank has so far given £9.6 billion in loans to projects benefiting people and the planet, along with its ongoing efforts to promote transparency and sustainability in the broader banking sector.
Triodos Bank Executive Management:
- Jeroen Rijpkema – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Appointed in May 2021, Jeroen chairs the Executive Board and serves on the Board of Stichting Triodos Holding. He is also a Board member of the Dutch Banking Association, Stichting Social Finance NL, and Stichting Graaf Carel van Lynden. He holds 315 Triodos Bank depository receipts. - Kees van Kalveen – Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Appointed in January 2023, Kees is responsible for financial oversight and does not hold any Triodos Bank depository receipts. - Marjolein Landheer – Chief Risk Officer (CRO)
Serving as interim CRO since January 2023, Marjolein is also a Board member of Natuurmonumenten. She does not hold any Triodos Bank depository receipts. - Jacco Minnaar – Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Appointed in September 2021, Jacco oversees commercial activities. Previously, he was Managing Director of Triodos Investment Management. He also serves on the management board of Hivos Triodos Fund and owns 20 Triodos Bank depository receipts. - Nico Kronemeijer – Chief Operational Officer (COO)
Appointed in September 2021, Nico manages operational activities. He has been with Triodos Bank since 2013 as Group Director ICT and is on the Supervisory Board of the Art Centre ‘it Toanhus’ in Friese Meren. He holds 7 Triodos Bank depository receipts.
Triodos Bank Contact Information
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