German ethical lender Umweltbank launched a joint version of its sustainable checking account, the Umwelt-Giro, in September 2026, offering new customers a 150-euro starting bonus alongside fee-free account management for the first year. According to Umweltbank, the joint account is designed for two people managing their finances together, without requiring a marriage, registered civil partnership, or shared residence.
Account Fees and Card Pricing Structure
According to Umweltbank, account maintenance for the Umwelt-Giro joint account is free for the first 12 months. After the initial year, customers pay a monthly fee of 4.90 euros. A virtual girocard comes included at no extra cost. Account holders can optionally order a physical girocard, structured as a Debit Mastercard, which remains free of charge until the end of 2026 before shifting to an annual fee of 9 euros, according to the bank.
Customers can also order a credit card made of wood. The wooden credit card is free during its first year, after which an annual fee of 49 euros applies. Umweltbank refunds part of this annual fee based on yearly spending: customers who spend 2.500 euros or more receive a 20-euro rebate, while spending of 7.500 euros or more increases the rebate to 30 euros, reducing the net annual card fee to 19 euros. The bank issues strictly one credit card per person, meaning individuals who already hold a credit card through a single account cannot apply for an additional one tied to a joint account.
Bonus Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
New customers opening the joint account receive a 150-euro starting bonus, split into two components according to Umweltbank terms. The bank pays out 100 euros directly to the account holders, while the remaining 50 euros goes to NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland) to fund renaturation projects. To qualify for the bonus, accounts must receive at least one salary or pension payment within the first three months following account opening.
Eligibility is restricted to new customers. Anyone who currently holds a checking account with Umweltbank, or held one within the preceding six months, is excluded from the promotion. Furthermore, at least one account holder must consent to data processing for tailored customer communication and maintain that consent without revocation during the first three months.
Sustainable Investment Policy
Umweltbank allocates customer funds exclusively to ecological and social projects, according to the lender’s corporate guidelines. Financed initiatives include photovoltaic installations, wind farms, and social housing developments. The bank explicitly excludes investments in fossil fuels, nuclear power, and the defense industry.
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