Website:  Citizens Bank

Banking is usually a profit-oriented money-making activity where only secure ventures are considered for loans or investments.  Citizens Bank which is affiliated with VanCity in Vancouver British Columbia has branched out to Toronto.  It will operate like other banks but it does seem to have a goal to cooperate and help non-profit groups and causes to help the socially disadvantaged groups such as those in poverty.  Non-profit organizations  or charities can partner with this bank in helping these groups and campaign for their causes.  Communities have a social network of volunteers and with businesses becoming more involved in causes and fundraising, the banks too are a good source for funding.  Whether profit becomes part of the reward or just improved relationships and goodwill, it is a good sign that banks are thinking of helping groups they normally ignore, such as the poor, but through partnerships and joint ventures.  There are also a few banks in the world that will actually lend money to poor in micro loans for self-employment and small businesses.  The name of this bank, Citizens Bank implies good citizenship which means being socially responsible and law-abiding within the community, and possibly profitable ventures.  This may be in the future when the market tastes change for environmental products and buy green, or recycled products, or train and hire poor people into making these products, etc.  Money should be distributed towards livelihood projects to employ the poor and alleviate their poverty.  Banks have lots of money which they manage into loans and investments but often they select the businesses which are secure and can return a profit and individuals whose incomes are stable and above average.  Time will tell whether the name of this bank will live up to its image and whether they will be able to achieve partnerships that will benefit disadvantaged groups:  poor, homeless, disabled, mentally challenged, abused victims, rehabilitated ex-convicts, new immigrants, juvenile delinquents, and other fringe groups.  In the meantime, they are attracting the average working person to open an account and treat it like any other new bank until it achieves its bigger goals of helping those with less.