Overview

Eerlijke Geldwijzer is a Dutch civil society initiative established in 2009 as Eerlijke Bankwijzer (Fair Bank Guide). It subsequently expanded to cover insurers in 2013 and pension funds in 2019.

Its purpose is to improve the social and environmental responsibility of financial institutions through independent research, public comparisons and consumer engagement. It is part of Fair Finance International, an international network promoting responsible finance.

Mission and focus areas

Eerlijke Geldwijzer evaluates how banks, insurers and pension funds address sustainability risks through lending and investment policies. Its research covers climate change, biodiversity, human rights, labour rights, animal welfare, gender equality, corruption and controversial weapons.

It examines both institutional commitments and actual financing activities, including investments in companies associated with environmental or social harm. Its assessments support environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration, responsible investment and financial sector accountability.

Structure and governance

Eerlijke Geldwijzer operates as a coalition of five non-governmental organisations: Amnesty International, Milieudefensie, Oxfam Novib, PAX and World Animal Protection. These organisations contribute expertise in human rights, environmental protection, development, peace and animal welfare.

The coalition coordinates research and advocacy through its member organisations, rather than operating as a financial regulator. Independent research agencies conduct assessments, while coalition members share responsibility for the initiative’s activities and publications.

Programs and offerings

Eerlijke Geldwijzer operates three assessment programmes: Eerlijke Bankwijzer, Eerlijke Verzekeringswijzer and Eerlijke Pensioenwijzer. These provide publicly accessible sustainability scores and comparisons of Dutch banks, insurers and pension funds.

Its research methodology combines policy assessments against international standards with investigations of actual financing and investment practices. The initiative publishes research reports, institutional profiles, comparative ratings and recommendations for improving responsible finance.

It also enables consumers to contact financial institutions about sustainability concerns and encourages dialogue between financial institutions and civil society. For finance professionals, its resources support ESG benchmarking, investment due diligence, stewardship analysis and evaluation of sustainability policies.