The West economic crises, particularly the Great Recession of 2008, had a very important message; the speculative capitalist economy that only thinks of maximizing profit, ignores the society, and is indifferent to the environment, it is adjusted neither with Adam Smith’s invisible hand, nor Friedman and Von Hayek’s adjustments are not adequate remedies. It is the messenger of crisis in the biosphere is in all aspects. In such condition, it is necessary to revise functions in banks. A type of ethics-based, community-based, and environment-based view to banking should be formed.

Social banking is a new chapter in banking, which is the guide for all bankers to make decisions that link economic and social goals together. This type of banking represents the banking activities, products, and services that help social and human development. It meets the real needs of today’s society. Social, cultural and ecological sustainability of society are also considered. In this banking system, any activity performed by banks is based on the creation of multiple returns; that is, the returns in which the profits from activities and exchanges are not the ultimate goal, but the requirements to achieve the intended purpose. This type of banking is a new horizon to realize social justice. Social banks are conscious of their responsibility for money and profitability.

This book is the first work in the field of social banking in Iran. It has been tried to analyze and explain social banking, provide a detailed understanding of the concept, and investigate its relationship with different areas such as social media, urban economy, training, and universal banking.