Global Environment Fund, E+Co Top Sustainable Investor List

U.S.-based Global Environment Fund and E+Co were named the top two sustainable investment groups by the Financial Times, which recently unveiled its list of top sustainable banks and other financial institutions for 2009.

The top bank award went to Triodos, which is based in the Netherlands.

Here are some more winners:

Sustainable Bank of the Year

• Winner: Triodos Bank, Netherland
• Runner-up: Standard Chartered, UK

Emerging Markets Sustainable Bank of the Year

• Winner: Itau Unibanco, Brazil
• Regional winner Africa/Middle East: Equity Bank, Kenya
• Regional winner Asia: Industrial Bank, China
• Regional winner Eastern Europe: Industrial Development Bank of Turkey (TSKB)
• Regional winner Latin America: Itau Unibanco

Achievement in Basic Needs Financing

• Winner: MicroEnsure, UK
• Runner-up: Water Capital, Mexico

Achievement in Banking at the Bottom of the Pyramid

• Winner: Root Capital, US
• Runner-up: WIZZIT, South Africa

About 165 entries were received from 117 institutions across 42 countries. Three categories – Achievement in Basic Needs Financing, Banking at the Bottom of the Pyramid, and Sustainable Investor of the Year – were open to non-banking financial institutions as well as banks, according to a press release.

This is the fourth year for the awards.