Triodos Bank is an independent bank headquartered in Zeist, Netherlands, established in 1980 after a decade of activity as a foundation. Its founders—economist Adriaan Deking Dura, tax law professor Dieter Brüll, management consultant Lex Bos, and banker Rudolf Mees—envisioned using financial services to support projects with clear social and environmental benefits. With an initial capital of €540,000 and a full banking license from De Nederlandsche Bank, Triodos quickly positioned itself as an alternative to traditional banking by directly linking savers and investors to enterprises addressing societal issues.
The bank operates physical branches in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain, and Germany. As of 2025, it managed around 750,000 customer accounts across Europe. Triodos is structured as a Dutch public limited company, with shares administered by a foundation which issues depository receipts—a structure intended to safeguard its independent mission.
Triodos finances sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, organic food production, arts, education, and social housing. Triodos Investment Management, a full subsidiary, extends its impact globally by managing a variety of funds, including those focused on microfinance, sustainable food, and renewable energy. The bank’s head office, located next to Driebergen-Zeist railway station, is notable for being a fully sustainable building that won Office Building of the Year at the Architectenweb Awards in 2019.
Concrete projects include residential mortgages in the Netherlands (with rates linked to energy efficiency) and financing renewable energy initiatives in developing countries. Triodos co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, aligning itself with banks seeking to transform finance for positive impact on society and the environment.