Case | HBS Case Collection | 2012 (Revised from original 2011 version)

New Resource Bank: In Pursuit of Green

by Christopher Marquis and Juan Almandoz

Abstract

New Resource Bank was founded in San Francisco in 2006 with a mission focused on environmental sustainability. The case illustrates the opportunities and challenges of banking on values and the challenges of organizations defining a social and environmental commitment. The case also highlights the tension and potential synergies between social mission and shareholder value in the context of the crisis of 2008, the taken-for-granted expectations and norms arising from a commercial bank charter, and the distinct perspectives of bank regulators, founders, investors, and other stakeholders of the newly founded bank.

Keywords: Motivation and Incentives; Corporate Entrepreneurship; Business and Stakeholder Relations; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Strategy; Business and Government Relations; Banking Industry; San Francisco;

Citation:

Marquis, Christopher, and Juan Almandoz. "New Resource Bank: In Pursuit of Green." Harvard Business School Case 412-060, September 2012. (Revised from original September 2011 version.)