Making investments and withdrawals

Invest in Ethical Consumer and you'll be making an ethical investment and helping ECRA in its primary goal of making global businesses more sustainable through consumer pressure. That's good news for the environment, people, animals and open democracy.

As ECRA is a not-for-profit organisation we do not pay dividends to shareholders. We do however offer reasonable and proper interest on investments. This is set at a variable rate, and the aim is to provide a good deal in comparison with bank or building society savings rates.

The current rate is 3% gross per annum (as of 01/10/2009). Investors may now also choose a 0% rate if they prefer.

More details on some of the new developments which new investors are helping to fund appear on our future projects page. More information on our past performance appears on the Annual Reports page.

How much to invest

The minimum investment is currently £200 and the maximum amount is currently £20,000.

When the Rochdale Pioneers set up the first Co-operative in 1844 the minimum investment was £1. By some measures £1 then is worth about £200 today.

The risks of investing

Members should be aware that share capital in a co-operative is risk capital. Ultimately, if things were ever to go wrong for Ethical Consumer, share capital would be at risk. We aim to build a strong and successful co-operative business, with more than enough assets to cover its members' capital.

However, as an organisation committed to openness and transparency we feel it is only right that we should warn members that there is some risk. Please see the note below on the code of practice we adhere to in relation to share capital.

How do I invest?

If you are not already a member, please complete a membership application form and return it with a cheque or card details for the amount you wish to invest.

Please make cheques payable to "Ethical Consumer". You'll receive a share certificate showing the value of your investment .

Investments and withdrawals

If you are already a member, new investments or withdrawals of share capital can be made by post at any time without penalty and will normally be processed within seven days of receipt of a member's request.

Ethical Consumer’s rules provide for a notice period of 14 days for withdrawals, although the Board has the power to waive this notice period and, unless there are exceptional circumstances, it would normally do so. The Board also has the power to suspend withdrawals. If you make withdrawals leaving a balance of less than £200, you will cease to be a member.

Download an investment form (for which you will need Acrobat Reader).

Download a withdrawal form (for which you will need Acrobat Reader).

Payment of interest

Interest will be credited to your account once per year subject to approval by the general meeting. Interest is paid gross without deduction of tax, and it is the responsibility of members to declare the interest received on their tax returns, and to pay any tax due. Currently, the interest rate is 3% gross per annum.

If you wish to invest at 0% interest to further help the work of ECRA, please write 'Zero Interest Shares Please' on your Membership Application Form or Investment Form.

Code of Practice

ECRA, unlike banks and building societies, is not subject to prudential supervision by the Financial Services Authority. Ethical Consumer abides by a code of practice which requires it to provide a statement to its shareholders on the nature of their investment and any change affecting it.

The position you occupy as a shareholder of ECRA is no different from that of a shareholder in any other corporate body in the sense that, if ECRA fails, you may not have all, or any of your investment returned to you.

Your liability, however, does not extend beyond your own investment. Your investment is withdrawable without penalty.

If you have any questions regarding the code, please address them to: The Secretary, ECRA, Unit 21, 41 Old Birley St, Manchester M15 5RF