An international group of bankers has pledged to provide financial services to one billion customers who have been excluded from traditional banking. The Global Alliance for Banking on Values, which consists of 11 sustainable banks, made this commitment at the end of a conference in Dhaka. Fazle Hasan Abed, founder-chairperson of BRAC and co-founder of the GABV, announced the goal of reaching one billion people by 2020. This pledge has the potential to have a significant impact on a global scale and help in the fight against climate change. Bank representatives from various regions came together for a three-day seminar starting on March 6 to discuss the future of the financial industry. The GABV, established in March 2009, utilizes financial resources to provide sustainable development tools for underserved individuals, communities, and the environment. It has a customer base of approximately seven million across 20 countries, with a total capital exceeding $14 billion. The organization has committed to raising $250 million in new capital over three years to support the expansion of $2 billion in loans for green projects and underserved communities globally. This funding is anticipated to come from a variety of sources, including current customers, institutions, and new investors. The alliance believes that increasing its customer base is achievable through expanding its membership network and establishing new banks. The members of the network are planning to advocate for and showcase the impact of business models that prioritize addressing the world's most pressing social and environmental issues. Peter Blom, who is the chair and co-founder of the GABV, emphasized the importance of raising more funds and investing in sustainable bankers to maximize the potential of this finance. Blom, who also serves as the CEO of GABV member Triodos Bank in the Netherlands, believes that values-led banking can and should positively impact the lives of one in six people within a decade. Participants from the member banks noted that increasing this capital significantly in the coming years will aid in achieving the goal of reaching one billion.