GLS Bank (full name GLS Gemeinschaftsbank eG) is a German ethical bank that was founded in 1974 as an anthroposophical initiative by Wilhelm Ernst Barkhoff and Gisela Reuther. It was the first bank in Germany that operated with an ethical philosophy. The bank focusses on cultural, social and ecological initiatives, initiated by people, and not anonymous interests seeking capital or maximum profit.

Voluntary initiatives

• Global Alliance for Banking on Values
• Global Reporting Initiative
• Paris Pledge for Action
• Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB)
• Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
• Principles of Sustainable Banking