Pocket and Planet (Green) Advisory Council

Expressions of interest particularly welcome from those active in climate, circular economy, sharing or environmental community networks.

Purpose

Gateway Bank has created the Pocket and Planet (Green) Advisory Council to assist the Gateway Bank Board and Management Team in the development and implementation of its Pocket and Planet purpose. Gateway’s purpose is to help members save both money and the planet. Pocket and Planet recognises that although many people would like to be greener in their everyday lives, sometimes this option is more expensive. Gateway aims to facilitate both goals simultaneously – being green should save you money, not be expensive. It shouldn’t cost the earth to save the earth.

Gateway aims to facilitate this ambition through products and services that reward green living. At an organisational level we will prove our commitment through our values, ethical investment and lending policies, Climate Active Certification and through the mutual relationships we build. Gateway aims to make a measurable impact to customers and environment and become a key recognised brand for green financial services.

Gateway has made great strides on its short journey so far. However, we recognise that we can move quicker with help and advice from others.

About Gateway

Founded in 1955, with just one employee and a briefcase, Gateway Bank has progressed from a crowd-funder of its day to one of Australia’s leading customer-owned institutions.

Gateway puts people before profits; 100% of profits are used to benefit customers rather than shareholder return. A bank run by 60+ people, we are proud to be small and different.

Pocket and Planet – The Journey

Gateway is at the beginning of its Pocket and Planet journey. The journey commenced in 2019 when Gateway made the decision to return to one of its founding values: Thrift.

The term thrift was fine-tuned to “Pocket and Planet” through the identification of a niche opportunity to help Members save money and the planet. Although other entities focused on individual areas of sustainability or frugality, no financial institution had combined financial savings with the environment as an over-arching purpose.

Year One focused on establishing the culture

Launching new values that mirror the Pocket and Planet purpose; The introduction of the “Small Up - do more with less” value encouraged employees to recycle, reuse, reduce, re-purpose and share to minimise our impact on Members’ funds.

During the year Gateway formed a mutual relationship with Reverse Garbage. Reverse Garbage is a Co-operative with a role to save materials from going to waste in landfill and to renew their value by making them available for reuse by families, students, artists and community groups. Reverse Garbage’s contribution to our Member publications Gatepost and Dollaroo has been invaluable.

Gateway has been fortunate to work with SP Jain School of Management on developing innovative ideas around Pocket and Planet products, services and financial literacy.

Year Two has focused on proving commitment and launching products

Proving commitment by achieving Climate Active certification and committing to both ethical investment and lending policies.

In May 2021 Gateway launched an Australian first plant-based Eco Debit Card. This replaces traditional PVC materials with plant-based materials that produce nearly 70% less emissions in manufacture and contain no toxins. The card design features the work of eco-artist Jane Gillings. Jane has been creating art for over 30 years using discarded components and objects.

Alongside this we launched two Green Home Loans providing discounted interest rates for customers.

We also launched our cheapest Eco Personal Loan for customers wanting to purchase or install environmental upgrades to their home.

Gateway also sponsored Reverse Garbage’s inaugural REConsiderED school’s creative reuse competition

Next steps in the journey

Gateway will:

• Reinforce its commitment and credibility through RIAA accreditation
• Design and launch innovative products and services that provide benefits to the customer and environment
• Increase giving back to the community
• Be able to measure the impact made to both customers and the environment.

Why join the Advisory Council?

Gateway is a small company with big ambitions.

If we invest time into a project we act on the results.

One of Gateway’s values is not work but making a difference. There is a high likelihood that you will see your ideas come to fruition and you will make a genuine difference to the lives of customers and the environment.

The role is voluntary. However, we know that advisory council members will benefit in non-financial ways, whether it be exposure to new ideas, expanding networks, or using skills and knowledge in new ways and in gaining governance experience in an APRA regulated entity without the burden of fiduciary duties.

Advisory Council Role

• Aid in identifying mutually beneficial partnerships that will allow the partner to meet a climate goal and allow Gateway to reward its customers whilst operating at a profit.
• Provide feedback and input to current and future pocket & planet proposals
• Provide insight on the needs of customers and the climate to enable the design of innovative products and services
• Provide advice on communication channels and messaging

Desirable attributes of applicants

• Demonstrated connection to Gateway’s purpose and values
• Cognisant of customer and climate needs
• Active in climate, circular economy, sharing or environmental community networks and well connected within for-purpose, business, government or education
• Creative thinker
• Knowledge of banking desirable but not necessary
• A “MacGyver” mindset of utilising frugal innovation as we don’t have big bank budgets

Basis of appointment

Remuneration: Voluntary

Time commitment: Up to four meetings per annum.

Meetings may be held face-to-face or through any technological means by which members can fully participate.

Council membership will be reviewed annually.

Contact: Paulina Brieva at [email protected], using the subject line: Voluntary Advisory Council Member enquiry via EthicalJobs.