An international group of bankers has pledged to provide financial products to one billion customers who have not had access to traditional banking services. The Global Alliance for Banking on Values, a network of sustainable banks, made this commitment at the end of a three-day conference in Dhaka. Founder-chairperson Fazle Hasan Abed stated that the members of GABV aim to impact the lives of one billion people by 2020, potentially making a significant difference in global efforts to address climate change. Bank representatives from Asia to Latin America came together for a three-day seminar starting on March 6 to discuss creating a sustainable future for the financial industry. The GABV, established in March 2009, utilizes financial resources to provide sustainable development tools for underserved populations, communities, and the environment. It represents approximately seven million clients in 20 countries, with a total capital of over $14 billion. The organization has committed to raising $250 million in new capital over three years to support a $2 billion expansion in lending for environmentally-friendly projects and underserved communities globally. The funding is anticipated to come from a variety of investors, including current customers, institutions, and new investors. The alliance believes that expanding the network's membership and establishing new member banks will enable them to serve more clients, as stated in the announcement. The members of the network are planning to promote and showcase the impact of business models that prioritize addressing the world's most pressing social and environmental issues. Peter Blom, the chair and co-founder of GABV, emphasized the importance of raising funds and investing in sustainable banking practices to maximize the potential of finance. Blom, who is also the CEO of Triodos Bank, a GABV member based in the Netherlands, stated that values-driven banking has the potential to positively impact the lives of one in six individuals within a decade. Participants from the member banks noted that increasing this capital significantly in the upcoming years will aid in achieving the goal of reaching one billion.