An impact bank (frequently referred to as a sustainable bank, values-driven bank, or community development bank) is a specialized financial institution that explicitly integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its core business model and lending criteria. Unlike traditional commercial banks that focus exclusively on maximizing short-term shareholder financial returns, impact banks direct their capital toward financing renewable energy projects, affordable housing initiatives, sustainable agriculture, and small businesses in underserved or marginalized communities. By aligning financial intermediation with measurable positive social and environmental outcomes, impact banks empower customers to support ethical causes through their everyday savings and checking accounts.