Who are we ?

La Nef is a banking organisation involved in ethical finance. Its purpose is to build a direct link between savers and borrowers who carry out sustainable projects meeting social and ecological criterias. As a cooperative, la Nef collects savings from its co-operators through current accounts and deposit accounts ; it grants loans to professionals and non-governmental organisations in the social, environmental and cultural sectors.

La Nef welcomes all citizens requiring an ethical use of money and willing to promote the development of an economy that is respectful of human beings and the environment.

La Nef has been carrying out and developing its activities for 20 years. It is controlled and approved by the French Central Bank.

 

Our values: ethics, transparency, solidarity

Ethic

La Nef provides loans to professionals whose activities contribute to creating social, ecological and cultural benefits more than profit. It puts forward initiatives which enable the development of local economy.

Transparency

In order to create a direct link between savers and borrowers, la Nef publishes every year in its annual report the details of all projects which have been granted with a loan. As a result, savers can “see” how their money is used ; it also facilitates direct contacts between co-operators.

Solidarity

To provide respect and care for human beings and nature is the primary engagement of la Nef. It provides a bridge of solidarity between those who have money available at one time and those who need money at the same time to carry out their activity. It also means solidarity towards the future generations through the development of ecological and sustainable activities.

 

Our partners

 

Members of the cooperative can be individuals or institutions. Larger banks such as the Crédit Coopératif are essential partners in the daily activity. La Nef also works together with the main French and international networks in the social and ecological fields.
La Nef is a member of FEBEA and INAISE amongst a number of other European and international actors in social and ethical finance.

 

Figures

 

Our balance sheet grows by 25% per year. It reached 183 million euros in 2008. The cooperative has doubled in size in the past three years.

Key figures on December, 31st 2008 :

The cooperative Nef:

• Number of co-operators: 21 467 
• Capital: 16.3 million €
• Balance sheet : 183 million €

Saving: 49 million € collected

Credits: 282 released loans representing 22 million €