Banca Etica is an alternative banking model founded in Italy in the 1980s with the goal of ethical and sustainable finance. It operates according to principles of transparency, social and environmental responsibility, and customer participation. While still small compared to traditional banks, Banca Etica has over 30,000 members and 700 million euros in savings. It provides banking services while also engaging in cultural, microcredit, and shareholder activism activities to promote responsible economics. Alternative banking models more broadly aim to reflect their social and environmental impact through various financing options.