We're so happy to have you!

Dear Partner:

Welcome to Walden Mutual Bank! We're so glad you chose to join us as a partner to Grow Your Change. We started with a simple belief: anyone can make positive change to our local food ecosystem. New England and New York are at the center of a thriving renaissance in the local and sustainable food movement – at the same time as the dire social and environmental consequences of our industrial food system come into increasing focus.  

And the choice of where you bank matters - a lot. While other banks have invested trillions of dollars in fossil fuel development since the Paris Accords were signed in 2018, we were formed to provide a stark alternative for our partners: we work and invest right here in New England and New York, in food and agriculture businesses that are changemakers.  

We’re committed to building a bank that’s designed for the long-haul and for the benefit of all stakeholders – instead of shareholders alone. And that’s why we're excited to reinvigorate the mutual structure for the modern era.  

If you are not familiar, the beauty of the mutual model is that we do not have shareholders in the typical sense. Instead, we created a cooperative governance structure to eliminate the incentives for a sale of the bank from the very start. We're working on some systemic issues - from climate change to inclusivity in lending - that are unlikely to go away in the next few years. Being sold to GLOBAL BANK CORPORATION was an outcome we wanted to prevent. Instead, we are truly here for the long term, and we intend to build a 100-year institution, alongside folks like you. 

These choices are intentional, as we work to propel the renaissance in our local food system forward. Building deeper connections between people and the rest of the food system is central to that mission. When we make more conscious decisions about food, and align our money behind our values, food systems change can grow from the personal to the systemic. 

We are very open to your feedback as we continue to build products and services to support partners like you. Please drop me a note anytime to say hello - my personal email is charley@waldenmutual.com. We’re very happy to have you!

Sincerely, 

Charley

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