If you are not interested in conservation or socially-responsible
investing, you can delete now.

If you are, you might be interested to know that there is a relatively
new bank in the Northwest, called ShoreTrust. It has what are called
EcoDeposits, and you can open an EcoSavings account, an EcoChecking
account, or take out an EcoTime Deposit (a CD). The bank is chartered
in the state of Washington and deposits are protected up to the usual
amount with the FDIC.

It is based in, of all places, Ilwaco, WA. It was created by two
partners: the Shorebank Corporation in Chicago, which is a development
bank that funds economic development projects in "underinvested"
communities around Chicago, and EcoTrust, a nonprofit based in Portland
that was set up "to foster conservation-based development in the coastal
temperate rain forests of North America." According to their pamphlet,
ShoreTrust will "promote development in rural communities of the coastal
Northwest by reinvigorating the business base to provide income-earning
opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents, and to promote the
restoration and conservation of the region's environment."

I don't know anything more about the bank that what I have read in the
info they sent me, and I have no affiliation with them. My wife and I
have had a CD with Shorebank for several years and find them very
professional. But we would prefer to be supporting conservation-minded
development here in the Northwest than projects in Chicago, with which
we have no tie. If anyone out there has any experience with ShoreTrust,
or with EcoTrust, I would be interested to hear. It certainly seems
like a great idea! Imagine, a bank that is interested in more than just
helping you part with your money! Apparently they intend to open
branches in Portland and Seattle in the near future to increase their
financial base.

If you are interested in info, their number is 1-800-669-7725.

Mike Seamans
Seattle

P.S. There is also an organization called EcoTrust Canada, based in
Vancouver, that is a separate organization but is based on the same
ideals as EcoTrust in Portland.