“A social banker needs to be very connected to his or her heart”
…this quote [1], shared at the 16th International Summer School on Social Banking – Finance for a Regenerative Future in Bochum, is one of the reasons why this event stood out for me this year. And yet, it all felt different.
Before we jump in, a little more context:
The people who gathered in Bochum in early July weren’t there to make money, seal the deal, or hunt down new LinkedIn contacts. You feel that when you meet them. It’s people connected to their hearts – and through that, to nature and others.
It’s Europe’s and North America’s social bankers. Together with employees from 50+ other social banks in the [click here] Global Alliance for Banking on Values, they serve nearly 50 million customers and hold up to USD 265 billion of combined assets under management.[2] If you are wondering why these banks matter, [click here] #11: The easiest way to use your money mindfully.
Why the hell were they hanging out in Bochum…?
Every year, the summer school is hosted by another member of the ISB – [click here] Institute for Social Banking. In 2025, it was the GLS Bank, headquartered in Bochum. The venue? A red, flat-rooted building that looked suspiciously like a modern highschool. Any doubts vanished when I stepped inside: rooms full of light and colours, warm woods, plants, and even a tall, trickling water wall silently welcoming visitors and employees in the entrance hall.
I first joined the summer school two years ago as a student participant (this year as a volunteer). Back then, the world felt… okay. Not great, but at least okay.
Now, the world is not even okay
This year, it all felt different. Now, the world is not even okay. It is frightening. Increasing stability and uncertainty, political polarization, new wars, and a worsening climate crisis, almost forgotten… The list is long.
A pinch more seriousness blew through this year’s summer school, mixed with the same old optimistic joy and laughter in the sunny breaks, the same spark. So, how are social banks reacting to these turbulent times? How can they still contribute to pioneering at the forefront of financial innovations? How can they help building not only a sustainable future, but a regenerative one?
The answer is not easy. First takeaway. The second important one: we can only do it if we grow. Not just together. But closer together. That means: building resilience first.
Regeneration starts with resilience – here is how
Close, trustful relationships – solidarity–based networks – are everything. Everything to carry social banks and their customers through the restless decades ahead. That’s the strength that can define their future – along with creative thinking, new tools, and a shared vision of doing business that doesn’t just sustain life, but restores it.
This became clear during the keynote by the GLS Bank, where they introduced their understanding of the so-called Doughnut Economy and how this guides their daily operations and customer relationships, illustrated by tangible, real-world examples.
Later, even more practical in a workshop, the Dutch-based bank Triodos Deutschland presented new financial instruments for the so-called Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – an innovative approach to make regeneration a business case. If ‘Triodos’ rings a bell, maybe because I’ve written about it in [click here] #12: Your impact with banking, Cheeky C, in [click here] #11 and in [click here] #10.
In another workshop, the Genossenschaft for the Common Good, based in Austria, shared their strategy and practical learnings that can help conventional banks to become social banks – step by step.
And so much more…
The spirit to overcome the fear of the future
The spirit is there! After five intense days, I returned home totally exhausted – and totally energized. The people. Their ideas. Their goals. Their belief in a different future. You could sum it up in one powerful line, repeated through the week – and one that truly captured the motivation behind this blog:
We can only overcome the fear of the future by creating images of futures that we want.
One more thing
Yes, I admit it… You caught me. 😉 This post might be slightly trying to convince you to join next year – whether as a participant, researcher, or volunteer. If you’re interested, check out the ISB website to find out all about the [click here] 17th Summer School in Ireland. And follow the [click here] ISB LinkedIn page to not miss registration.
And of course… I am leaving you with a cliffhanger. Next up: why cooperatives might just be the next big thing to care about.
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Sources:
[1] Quote by Sanika Hufeland, Head of Communications @GLS Bank.
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