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Product information : Smile internet banking
17 Category Scores
Category Score Stories
Environmental Reporting Best ECRA rating for environment reporting
Climate Change Three Quarters Palm oil policy
Policy on stocking local produce
Criticised for light bulb stocking
Pollution & Toxics Three Quarters No policy on stocking organic produce
Poor independent rating on CSR in supermarkets
Criticised for pesticide policy
Animal Testing Half Circle Animal testing policy
Animal testing policy
Retailed products that had been tested on animals
Factory farming Whole Circle Sale of meat not labelled as free range or organic
Company sold factory farmed meat
Sold factory farmed chickens
Animal Rights Whole Circle Sale of slaughterhouse by-products
Sale of products containing slaughterhouse byproducts
Sale of meat not labelled as free range or organic
Human Rights Half Circle Illegal settlements sourcing
Sourcing from illegal settlements - unclear
Palm oil policy
Workers' Rights Whole Circle Fined for unsafe workplace
Policy on stocking Fairtrade products
Staff not paid as firm went bust
Supply Chain Policy Best ECRA rating for supply chain policy
Membership of ETI
Irresponsible Marketing Whole Circle Named in tobacco price fixing allegation
Sells tobacco products
Sale of tobacco products
Arms & Military Supply Half Circle Investments in arms companies
Investment relationship with arms sector
Banking or investment relationship with arms manufacturers
Genetic Engineering Half Circle Positive but inadequate policy addressing GM
GM possible in food products
Policy on GM ingredients
Political Activities Three Quarters Donations to the Co-operative Party
Anti-Social Finance Quarter Allegations of unlawful practices linked to tobacco prices
Allegations of unlawful practices linked to tobacco prices
Named in tobacco price fixing allegation
Company Ethos 1/2 +ve Product Mutual structure
Positive Environmental Features Full +ve Product FoE recommended product
Other Sustainability Features Full +ve Product Ethical policy
The larger the circle the worse the rating is. Click here to find out more about these stories.
Product Ethiscore: 6
Ownership: owned by Co-operative Group Ltd
which owns Co-operative Financial Services
which owns Co-operative Bank Plc
which owns Smile
Product Notes
Co-operative Bank Plc Corporate Communications:Ethical Policy www.co-operativebank.co.uk (1 November 2006)
According to the Co-operative Bank website www.co-operativebank.co.uk viewed on 1 November 2006, the Bank had a customer-led ethical policy. This meant that the Co-operative Bank restricted the companies that it invested in with regard to human rights, the arms trade, corporate responsibility and global trade, genetic modification, ecological impact and animal welfare, while seeking to support social enterprises. The Bank periodically revised its policy in line with the views of its customers. Consequently customers were more aware of where their savings were invested and that they were not invested in businesses that were a major cause of concern for customers.
Friends of the Earth UK website www.foe.org.uk:Big Business, the environment and you www.foe.co.uk/resource/factsheets/big_business_environment.pdf
Friends of the Earth website www.foe.org.uk viewed by ECRA on 22 September 2005 displayed a factsheet, 'Big Business, the environment and you'. In this factsheet Friends of the Earth recommended the Co-operative Bank as an ethical bank that invested in companies that were dedicated to social aims and care for the environment.

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