Where can I compare ethical savings accounts?

Q I have been trying to come up with a comparison of interest rates for ethical savings accounts.

I realise that 'ethical' is a bit of a vague term and it may not be possible to have a completely accurate comparison of savings accounts on the market, but I can't seem to find anything at all.

Is the market still too undeveloped for this? Is the only option still the Co-operative?

VG

A As you say, the term 'ethical' is a bit vague - some banks consider themselves to have a strong ethical policy by refusing to invest in tobacco, alcohol or arms-producing companies, for example, while others boycott any firm linked to oppressive regimes or exploitative working practices.

As an online branch of the Co-operative, Smile obviously shares the bank's ethical outlook (a new policy is being formulated to include specific ethical concerns of Smile customers). Smile's cash Isa currently pays 5% to customers who also have a Smile current account, or 4.25% to those who don't.

Bristol-based Triodos bank takes a more proactive approach to its ethical policy, lending money only to groups that create social, cultural and environmental value, such as charities and community development projects. Unfortunately, Triodos's rates aren't that great - many of its accounts (Earth Saver, Organic Saver and Charity Saver to name three) pay less than 2.5%, and most have a minimum balance of ?500, with rates not rising until deposits hit ?2,500 or your money has been left untouched for at least one year.

Building societies don't lend to companies and can't therefore finance arms manufacturers, human rights abusers or environmental polluters. If this is the sort of ethical consideration you're after, Nationwide's e-savings account pays 5%, Yorkshire building society's e-saver pays 5.2% and Coventry building society's NetSave account pays 4.85%.