ACE advises: For many Maine small businesses, sustainability isn’t a separate initiative — it shows up in everyday decisions, including choosing your bank. According to Britt Lundgren, director of organic and sustainable agriculture at Stonyfield Organics, small businesses are uniquely positioned to align their banking practices with their sustainability goals.
This is an affordable choice. Unlike some sustainability investments, selecting a bank that aligns with your values typically comes at little to no additional cost — and may simply mean asking better questions or reevaluating an existing relationship.
As Lundgren noted at the 2026 ClimateWork Maine Summit:
“There has been some really interesting work done looking at the impact that your investments make. The 11 largest banks here in the U.S. invest between 20% to 30% of their investment portfolio in activities that expand fossil fuel infrastructure. As individuals our largest climate impact is probably from where we bank. As small businesses it’s easier … to make that choice and keep your money local.”
Deposits don’t sit still; they’re put to work. Many Maine-based institutions focus on local lending, including projects tied to energy efficiency and, increasingly, renewable energy. Direct questions — What do you finance? Do you support these types of projects? — can go a long way in determining whether a financial partner is aligned with your priorities.
Financing decisions offer another practical opportunity. Investments in energy-efficient equipment, building improvements or solar participation can lower operating costs while reducing environmental impact. Lenders are paying more attention to these projects, in part because they can improve long-term cash flow and reduce exposure to energy price volatility. Even incremental upgrades — lighting, insulation, updated systems — add up over time.
Sustainability, in this context, is less about scale and more about consistency. Choosing financial partners thoughtfully — and recognizing that some of the highest-impact decisions cost very little to implement — support both business performance and broader environmental goals.
