Beneficial State Foundation Perspectives
Our thoughts on changing the banking system for good and building the new economy
Climate
Seven Ways Banks Can Lead on Climate
Climate change is not just a future concern, it is a present reality accelerating across…
Beneficial State Foundation
April 22, 2025
Impact
Empowering Women in Finance: A Conversation with our Controller, Emily Ellickson-Brown
Women's History Month began as a local initiative to recognize women's often-overlooked contributions to shaping…
Beneficial State Foundation
March 14, 2025
Bank Accountability
Reflecting on Black economic power with our Industry Relations & Partnerships Manager, Angelique Cooper
Black History Month is a time to reflect on the resilience, contributions, and leadership of…
Beneficial State Foundation
February 14, 2025
Racial Justice
How Dr. King Defined Justice
By Justin Marschke, Creative Manager at Beneficial State Foundation From the time this nation was…
Justin Marschke
January 20, 2025
Financial Reform
Five Trends That Made Banking More Equitable in 2024
Overall, 2024 saw the banking industry make notable shifts toward more equitable, inclusive, and community-centered…
Beneficial State Foundation
November 19, 2024
Impact
Beneficial State Foundation Launches Feedback Period for Equitable Bank Standards
Beneficial State Foundation has officially opened a public comment period for our Equitable Bank Standards,…
Beneficial State Foundation
October 8, 2024
Bank Accountability
Reflecting on the ongoing struggle for racial justice: a Juneteenth interview with financial advocate Stephone Coward II
In honor of Juneteenth, we are proud to feature an interview with Stephone Coward II,…
Beneficial State Foundation
June 19, 2024
Bank Accountability
5 ways banks can support AAPI communities
This Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, as we recognize the significant contributions…
Beneficial State Foundation
May 20, 2024
Climate
Addressing the climate crisis: an interview with The Sunrise Project’s Grace Regullano
Earth Month is an important reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve our…
Beneficial State Foundation
April 25, 2024
Bank Accountability
Celebrating Women’s History Month with our Executive Director, Erin Kilmer Neel
Celebrating Women’s History Month with our Executive Director, Erin Kilmer Neel Women's History Month originated…
Beneficial State Foundation
March 29, 2024
Impact
Celebrating the impact of our Clean Vehicle Assistance Program
The Clean Vehicle Assistance Program (CVAP) was launched in June of 2018 to make environmentally…
Beneficial State Foundation
March 7, 2024
Financial Reform
2023: Five trends making banking more equitable for all
As we look ahead to 2024, we are reflecting on the biggest trends from 2023…
Beneficial State Foundation
December 12, 2023
Racial Justice
New Lender Pilot Program to Address Racial Discrimination in Underwriting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Paulina Campos paulina@emccommunications.com (650) 455-9928 New Lender Pilot Program to…
Beneficial State Foundation
June 28, 2023
Bank Accountability
The financial services industry must address climate change as insurers pull back in California
California faces thousands of annual wildfires, which have been exacerbated by climate change. In 2022,…
Beneficial State Foundation
June 9, 2023
Impact
Participatory Investment guide offers opportunities for banks to shift power to the communities they serve
Community benefit is not a foreign concept for banks. Since 1977, the Community Reinvestment Act…
Beneficial State Foundation & Transform Finance
March 27, 2023
Racial Justice
Learning about the history of race in banking
This is a regularly curated list of some of Beneficial State Foundation's go-to resources for…
Beneficial State Foundation
March 7, 2023
Financial Reform
2022: Five milestones in banking for a better future
As we pencil out our 2023 plans, let’s reflect on our shared progress in 2022.…
Beneficial State Foundation
December 16, 2022
Racial Justice
Underwriting for Racial Justice Discussions
Future Meetings: Underwriting for Racial Justice meetings are held quarterly. Each session explores a different…
October 20, 2022
Bank Accountability
Beneficial State Foundation Introduces Equitable Bank Standards that Give Banks Guidelines for Implementing ESG Strategies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Paulina Campos paulina@emccommunications.com 650-455-9928 Nonprofit Beneficial State Foundation, the majority…
Beneficial State Foundation
April 8, 2022
Bank Accountability
Introducing the Equitable Bank Standards
Combining evolving solutions with proven frameworks, the Equitable Bank Standards were created specifically for banks…
Quinn Williams
March 28, 2022
Financial Reform
Five Trends That Made Banking More Equitable in 2024
Overall, 2024 saw the banking industry make notable shifts toward more equitable, inclusive, and community-centered…
Beneficial State Foundation
November 19, 2024
Bank Accountability
Reflecting on the ongoing struggle for racial justice: a Juneteenth interview with financial advocate Stephone Coward II
In honor of Juneteenth, we are proud to feature an interview with Stephone Coward II,…
Beneficial State Foundation
June 19, 2024
Financial Reform
2023: Five trends making banking more equitable for all
As we look ahead to 2024, we are reflecting on the biggest trends from 2023…
Beneficial State Foundation
December 12, 2023
Financial Reform
We can emerge from COVID-19 with a more just economy. Here’s how.
We can emerge from COVID-19 with a more just economy. Here’s how. In this painful…
Beneficial State Foundation
March 27, 2020
Financial Reform
What role can banks play in stopping gun violence?
From gun violence to massive raids targeting immigrants, the last several weeks have been especially…
Symone Jackson and Emma Guttman-Slater
August 16, 2019
Bank Accountability
The Green New Deal is a chance to address big banks who are financing climate destruction and mass incarceration
There has been a lot of conversation around what a Green New Deal should look…
Symone Jackson
March 5, 2019
New Economy
The best social justice conferences in 2019
Emma is the Strategic Communications Director at Beneficial State Foundation based in Oakland, CA, and…
Emma Guttman-Slater
January 24, 2019
Bank Accountability
A bank CEO’s perspective: “Even a $1 billion fine is not enough to change corporate behaviors.”
Kat Taylor is CEO and Co-Founder of Beneficial State Bank. Here we go again. On…
Kat Taylor
April 24, 2018