Ethical banking in Italy

ANOTHER Italy was on display this month at Florence’s 16th-century Fortezza da Basso, where Banca Etica, an ethical bank, held its annual meeting. Outside, stands were selling all sorts of bio foods. Inside, casually dressed shareholders discussed weighty subjects such as social responsibility and the economic crisis.

Until a few months ago Banca Etica was known only to insiders. But then the new parliamentarians of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which won more than 25% of the vote at the general election in February (but flopped at local polls on May 26th and 27th), queued to open accounts when parliament convened. That helped spread the word. Now people are curious.