Accountability score: 67.2
2006 rank: 7
Global 500 rank: 22
The global bank has established itself as a leader in sustainable banking practices: It published a series of guidelines for lending to mining, energy, chemicals, and foresting companies back in 2002, and has publicly agreed not to lend to weapons manufacturers. By contrast, it offers low-interest financing to sustainable businesses in alternative energy or water infrastructure companies and markets socially-responsible investment funds to clients. Along with Wal-Mart, it was also one of the first companies to ask that product suppliers also meet HSBC's environmental and social guidelines. 
