Guest Blog Post
Written by Walden Mutual Bank & the Pet Sustainability Coalition
www.waldenmutual.com
Watch our recent webinar with Walden Mutual Bank:
When most of us think about sustainability, banking may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But at the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), we know that every business decision, including where and how your money is stored and invested, can have a meaningful impact on the world around us.
Industry-wide progress happens when every link in the supply chain engages: from ingredient sourcing to packaging to energy use – and yes, even to financial partnerships. Every business needs a bank, and choosing one rooted in sustainability may be one of the most accessible and impactful ways to advance your company’s goals. Unlike redesigning packaging or reformulating products, switching to a sustainable bank can drive measurable change without significant operational disruption.
When PSC evaluated our own operations, we realized that our banking choices were a missed opportunity for impact. The funds we all deposit every day into our banks don’t sit idle – they’re actively used by banks to fund loans and investments. That means the businesses your bank chooses to finance are supported by your money.
By aligning our financial operations with our sustainability values, we’ve found that impact goes beyond environmental benefits. Strong relationships, shared purpose, and greater transparency into where our money goes have helped reduce risk, strengthen our foundation, and align our financial strategy with our mission.
That’s why PSC chooses to bank with Walden Mutual Bank, a mission-aligned, relationship-driven institution using finance as a tool to support sustainable businesses across the U.S. And PSC isn’t alone, our members Brutus Broth and Polkadog also choose to bank with Walden for similar reasons.
“It’s inspiring and exciting to hear about someone taking something like a bank and making it much more progressive, much more local, and supporting agriculture,”
– Deb Suchman, Polkadog Bakery
Built to serve the businesses and communities that sustain us, Walden finances farms, small businesses, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations working toward a more resilient future. As a B Corp and Fossil-Free Certified institution, Walden integrates sustainability into every part of its model. And as a community-governed mutual bank, its customers are also its owners, ensuring that decisions are guided by shared values and designed to create long-term, collective benefit.
Using tools like the Walden Impact Assessment, the bank measures and tracks the environmental and social progress of its borrowers, turning values into tangible, measurable outcomes. Walden also sets a high bar for transparency, publishing its Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions annually, along with detailed information about where depositor funds are invested. In 2024, for example, 21% of loans supported businesses in Low- and Moderate-Income Areas, and the bank financed 14,151 acres of farmland. You can explore more in Walden’s Annual Report here.
For PSC, partnering with Walden has helped quantify the difference responsible banking can make. According to Walden’s Impact Calculator, moving funds from traditional banks reduced our financial carbon footprint by up to 8.24 metric tons of CO2 each year, the equivalent of 45 flights from Boston to Denver. This represents an 80% smaller footprint than traditional banks, which typically invest heavily in fossil fuels.
“This partnership is a great example of how sustainability touches every part of a business. I hadn’t considered how our banking relationship could be a driver for sustainability, but once I learned about Walden Mutual’s mission and practices, I was convinced it was the right decision.”
– Jim Lamancusa, CEO, PSC
Sustainability is a team effort – not a solo mission.
True progress happens when every link in the interconnected chain of food production for humans and animals works together toward a shared vision of a healthier, more sustainable future for people, pets, and the planet.
To support that shared mission, PSC and Walden Mutual have partnered to launch the Walden Mutual Membership Reimbursement Program*.
If your organization banks with Walden Mutual Bank and wants to join PSC, or is a PSC member who chooses to open a new account with Walden Mutual, you may be eligible for a reimbursement toward your PSC membership: up to $500 for business accounts! See full details below*.
Curious what switching your bank could do for the planet?
Use Walden Mutual’s Impact Calculator to explore your potential climate impact!
*Membership Reimbursement Program Details
PSC member organizations can receive reimbursement for your most recent Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) membership fee(s) when they open and fund (minimum for accounts for organizations: $1,000) a Walden Mutual (Member FDIC) account within 30 days of opening. Maximum reimbursement value: accounts for organizations $500. Just use promo code “PSC” when you apply for your Walden Mutual account (www.waldenmutual.com). Already a partner at Walden Mutual Bank? You may be eligible for a reimbursement toward a new PSC membership cost –up to $500 for Walden Mutual business account owners.**Please email admin@petsustainability.org to let us know that you are a Walden Mutual partner. Visit waldenmutual.com/terms-conditions/reciprocal-membership-reimbursement-program for details.
**Existing Walden Mutual (Member FDIC) partners’ Grow Local, Spend Local, and Save Local accounts must be in good standing and not in violation of any requirements outlined in the account disclosures. Maximum reimbursement value: accounts for organizations $500. Unless otherwise stated, the promotion will run through December 31st, 2025.