BANK with your values!

Why it helps

Decarbonizing our financial sector is critical for climate progress. The five largest US consumer banks—Bank of America, Citi, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and TD Bank—funnel hundreds of billions of dollars annually into the oil, gas, and coal industries. The fossil fuel industry depends upon the capital from these banks to finance new infrastructure around the world, expanding their production at the expense of our collective well-being. 
Transitioning the global economy away from high-carbon industries and toward climate-safe investments requires bold government action and continual public pressure on the world’s largest financial institutions. As a customer, you can register your views on these practices with direct advocacy and/or by switching to a climate-forward bank. Through this action you help to limit the flow of capital to the fossil fuel industry and reduce its social license to operate, paving the way for the clean energy transition we need.

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How to do it

Growing public opposition to the banking sector’s support of fossil fuels is an increasingly influential factor in how they decide to take action on climate. You can voice your disapproval of your bank’s practices by calling their customer service number. Complaints are logged, and with enough calls, we can build the pressure required to force an end to the banking sector’s business as usual and create the possibility of a just, sustainable, and climate-aligned financial sector.

Below are steps you can follow to take this action.

Step 1: Pick up the phone! (typically 5 minutes)

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Here are the numbers for the five largest consumer banks in the United States.

Step 2: Let them know what you think! (typically 5 minutes)

When you’ve reached the representative who is taking your complaint, you can use this script to let them know how you feel about your bank’s contribution to the largest crisis in human history. Please be polite—express your disapproval of the institution's practices while being courteous to the customer service representative.

You may want to share some or all of these facts with the person taking your call:

 

Step 3: Spread the word! (typically 10 minutes) 

After you place your call, talk to your friends and family about your experience calling your bank. Your recommendation can be a powerful motivator--studies show that individuals are more likely to take climate action if it is endorsed by someone they trust.

You can also post your action on social media! By tagging your bank, you can help inform other customers about its role in perpetuating the climate crisis. These posts, in aggregate, can impact your bank’s public image, forcing it to change its practices and bringing more people into the conversation.

Congratulations! Thank you for taking the time to complete this action. Together, we can hold banks accountable for their financially irresponsible and socially harmful investments and pressure them to break with business as usual. You’ve taken a vital step toward building our community of action.

Did you have a good call? A bad call? Do our directions need updating? Share your experience with us! We love hearing your feedback.

Ready to take the next step?

Here is how to completely switch your bank to one that is fossil-free.

 
  • Bank of America: 1 (800) 432–1000
  • Citi: (800) 374-9700
  • JPMorgan Chase: (800) 935-9935
  • TD Bank: (833) 259-5980
  • Wells Fargo: 1 (844) 931-2273

    • Generally you will need to press “0” to speak with a person and indicate that you would like to lodge a consumer complaint. It may take a few minutes to reach a more senior representative whom you can ask to log your statement.

    Here is a script that you can adapt.

    Hello, my name is (your name) and I have been a customer of (bank name) for (number) years. I was (upset/dismayed/distressed) to learn that (bank name) is one of the top five US banks financing the fossil fuel industry. I expect my bank to serve my community and this is the worst disservice it could do. As a customer, I urge (bank name) to change its current investment and lending practices and recognize the urgent need for bold climate action. Until (bank name) ceases its financing of oil, gas, and coal and moves those resources into clean energy, I will not recommend your banking services to my family, friends, or employer, and I may consider switching to a fossil-fuel-free bank.