Maeva Courtois, CEO and co-founder of Hélios, embodies the new generation of leaders committed to the ecological transition through an innovative banking approach. As the largest ecological neo-bank in France, Hélios aspires to redefine the financial sector for the benefit of the planet.
Originally from France and graduated in mathematics from INSA Rouen, Maeva Courtois[/url ] has always stood out for its Cartesian spirit, based on facts and logic. She began her career in the world of finance, where she notably created the sustainable finance position within the Exate Asset Management fund. Responsible for integrating environmental criteria into investment strategies, she quickly realized that most banks did not take the climate emergency into account in their investment practices.In 2020, driven by the conviction that the financial sector should play a key role in the fight against climate change, Maeva decided to change path. In collaboration with Julia Ménayas[ /color], she founded Hélios, a bank which stands out for its deep commitment to the ecological transition.
First of all, Hélios – whose name refers to the Greek deity of the sun – offers a range of classic banking services, including digital banking solutions, advisors, no fees abroad, and offers life insurance.However, what sets it apart is its ecological approach: the bank directs its financing exclusively towards projects that contribute to the protection of the planet. Today, Hélios is the only French neo-green bank capable of achieving this without going through a traditional bank.One of Hélios’ strengths is its transparency. Indeed, the bank publishes each year a impact report, evaluated by the independent body Greenly. This report is easily accessible on the Hélios website, allowing everyone to monitor the bank's ecological impact. This differentiates it from other “green” banks which have partial or non-existent transparency on the projects they finance, thus allowing “greenwashing”.
In addition, Hélios encourages its customers to adopt more ecological behaviors by offering them discounts at around a hundred eco-responsible merchants labeled “Tout Consomm’acteurs”. The Hélios website also has useful resources, including a blog titled “Le Billet Vert ” which informs customers about news on eco-responsible finance and other topics related to ecology.Helios: The Greenest Bank in FranceFor the second year in a row, Hélios' accounts were recognized as the greenest in France by the independent organization Greenly - labeled GreenTech Innovation by the Ministry of Ecological Transition - with a carbon intensity of only 100 tCO2e/M€.
To date, Hélios has invested 6 million euros in the ecological transition. Among the funded projects, including the renovation of the metro in Marseille , the construction of a solar power plant in New Caledonia and the renovation of a wastewater treatment plant in Montpellier.An Inspiring WomanIn addition to her commitment to the environment, Maeva Courtois actively campaigns for gender parity in the engineering and fintech sectors. Having observed the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) during her studies, she is working to change this dynamic. Her journey is a source of inspiration for many young women wishing to enter these sectors and bring their passion for innovation and building a better future, thus demonstrating that the fight for the environment and the rights of minorities must move forward hand in hand.
