In addition to making a profit, banks can be a societal force for good. This is why Ken LaRoe came out of retirement to start Climate First Bank, the world’s first climate-focused, FDIC-insured commercial bank. 

Climate First Bank joined the Net-Zero Banking Alliance in January 2022 and is currently in the process of building out its 2050 plan.

Climate First Bank is based in Florida, a state destined to be the epicenter of climate change-induced effects. They really want to set an example for other banks, especially when it comes to emissions reporting. 

We also chat about the politicized world of climate change. It's not easy to be a climate advocate in Florida, where the political winds blow against this agenda.

To read the transcript of our conversation, please visit tearsheet.co.

The Green Finance Podcast Ep. 11: Running a bank with climate change at its core

In 2009, David Branch founded Viper Equity Partners, a healthcare M&A firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. Over the years, he has grown the company into one of the leading providers of transition consultation services for the medical industry. The 44-person team at Viper Equity Partners works hard to provide clients with the necessary services, such as full M&A advisory services and complete accounting and financial support.

Additionally, David C. Branch has extensive experience in consolidation. He discovered consolidation to be an effective method of making money in the respective industry, prompting him to specialize in aiding businesses with the process. Viper Equity Partners, under David's guidance, focuses mainly on the medical industry, with a particular emphasis on dentistry, dermatology, and plastic surgery - all of which are ideal for consolidation and flexibility.

Doug Stevenson, a seasoned entrepreneur based in Bowdoinham, Maine, boasts a robust background in finance and business management. Armed with a Bachelor's and MBA from Southern New Hampshire University, Doug founded Chickadee Equity LLC. in 2019, a private equity firm specializing in real estate investments. Previously, as CFO of Modern Pest Services, he led the company to become a top 50 pest management firm in the U.S. Doug thrives on building high-performing teams and strategically advancing real estate goals in his local community. 
While traditional bank loans can come with complicated regulations and minimal flexibility, investors who work with private equity lenders can help borrowers secure short-term financing they wouldn’t qualify for from a bank. These types of loans are typically much faster to secure as well, as private lenders don’t have to go through as extensive of an approval process. For Doug, this means he must be strategic about the deals he chooses to invest in.

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The Green Finance Podcast Ep. 11: Running a bank with climate change at its core

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