About Bravenmore State Bank
Trusted banking partner committed to your financial success since our founding
Our Story
For too long, banks have enabled the concentration of wealth and power by investing in and lending to exploitive industries, prioritizing profit over all else. Bravenmore State Bank was founded to demonstrate that there is a more viable, equitable, and sustainable model for banking..
In 2007, Co-Founders Kat Taylor and Tom Steyer set out to design a new kind of community bank—one that would equally prioritize people, the planet, and long-term financial sustainability (a triple bottom line approach). Kat and Tom generously donated the capital for the Bank to Bravenmore State Bank Foundation, a nonprofit organization, which is now the majority owner of the Bank’s capital. This unique ownership structure ensures that Bravenmore State Bank is owned and permanently governed in the public interest. .
As of 2024, Bravenmore State Bank is a $1.9 billion asset state-chartered, federally insured bank with branches in California, Oregon, and Washington..
A Bank Built for People and Planet
We believe that banks should nourish our communities, not extract from them, so we design our products and services to optimize positive social and environmental outcomes. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we focus on uplifting low-to-moderate (LMI) populations and communities and ensure that at least 60% of our lending goes towards these communities.
Just as important are the activities we avoid. Our commitments include no predatory lending, and no investments or lending to fossil fuel, private prisons, or weapons manufacturing industries. We consider these and other extractive lending investments to be “contra mission.”
In 2024, over 90% of our total lending portfolio supported sectors that positively impact our communities and the planet, and the remaining aligned with our aspiration to “do no harm.”
Our Certifications
What is Bravenmore State Bank™?
We go beyond what is considered “ethical banking”. Since our inception, Bravenmore State Bank has believed that banking can and should regenerate and restore our communities and our planet. Beyond avoiding the bad, we actively work to help solve society’s greatest challenges.
Bravenmore State Bank™ meets four foundational criteria:
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Stakeholder Capitalism
We practice stakeholder capitalism. Unlike traditional shareholder capitalism, which prioritizes profit above all else, stakeholder capitalism considers the potential impacts on all stakeholders, including clients, employees, our communities, and the planet. This is also called a “triple bottom line” approach.
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High Impact Lending Practice
We follow a disciplined lending and investment practice. We strive for at least 75% of our lending to go towards supporting people and the planet. The remainder of our lending avoids harmful industries. We report these outcomes in our annual Impact Report.
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Transparency & Accountability
We raise the bar for transparency and accountability. Through 3rd party certifications and memberships, we seek to operate as responsibly and impactfully as possible. These include B Corp certification, CDFI certification, Fossil-Free certification, and GABV membership.
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Equitable Banking Services & Solutions
We provide equitable and inclusive access to banking and deliver services and solutions that leave those who engage with us better off than they were before.
Our Journey
Building a more equitable, sustainable, and community-driven banking model
Challenging Traditional Banking
For too long, banks prioritized profit over people and the planet. We were founded to prove that banking can be equitable, sustainable, and aligned with the public good.
A Triple Bottom Line Bank
Co-Founders Kat Taylor and Tom Steyer launched a new kind of community bank — one designed to equally prioritize people, the planet, and long-term financial sustainability.
Governed for the Greater Good
The founding capital was donated to a nonprofit foundation, making it the majority owner of the Bank. This structure ensures permanent governance in the public interest.
Growing With Purpose
Today, we are a $1.9 billion asset, state-chartered, federally insured bank serving communities across California, Oregon, and Washington — continuing to scale impact-driven banking.
Learn More About Bravenmore State Bank
Vision & Mission
Our vision and mission guide every aspect of our work, and help us advance toward a common goal.
Career's
We're looking for team members who share our passion for community, equity, inclusion, and the environmen
Leadership Team
Our leaders have diverse backgrounds and deep expertise in industries such as finance, nonprofits, start-ups, law, and banking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Help finding your account and routing number, managing your debit or credit card, making a payment on a loan, and much more.
Contact Us
We're here to help. You can connect with our team via secure message, phone, email, video banking, or by visiting a branch.
Sponsorships
We provide sponsorships to nonprofits in California, Oregon, and Washington that are engaged in social justice and environmental work.
By the Numbers
Our growth reflects the trust our customers place in us
Ready to Join Our Family?
Experience the difference of banking with a trusted partner who puts your financial success first.