Ethical Banking Company Gets Credit With PETA Europe Award

For Immediate Release:
18 July 2007

Contact:
Lauren Bowey 020 7357 9229, ext 230
Karen Chisholm 020 7357 9229, ext 229

Smile Bank’s Ethical Policies in the Field of Finance Beat Out All Competitors

Manchester – In recognition of its unwavering commitment to animal welfare, Smile Bank has won an award from PETA Europe. The bank has been named “Company of the Year” in PETA Europe’s second annual Proggy Awards. Smile Bank will receive a framed award and will be featured on PETA.org.uk. “Proggy” is short for “progress”, and the Proggy Awards recognise animal-friendly achievements in commerce and culture.

Smile Bank, which is part of the Co-operative Group, stands out among its competitors for its progressive animal welfare policies. Proving that a bank can be successful without accepting money from people who make their living off cruelty to animals, Smile Bank turns down business from companies that farm animals intensively, test cosmetics or household products on animals, or sell fur. It also refuses to accept money from any business that may be linked to blood sports. The bank’s conviction proves that kindness in commerce is profitable.  

“Smile Bank is smiling all the way to the bank because it knows a growing number of consumers want nothing to do with cruelty to animals”, says PETA’s Sarah Dickinson. “The company is a leader in corporate social responsibility, and this is our way of saying thanks.”

More than 25 Proggy Awards have been given out this year, and the winners include a multi-national pizza chain, a city council, and independent producers and marketers of vegan foods and cruelty-free personal care products.

For more information and to see the entire list of Proggy Award winners, please visit PETA.org.uk.