Unity Trust Bank unveils Social Impact Report 2015

News
28/04/2016
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Unity Trust Bank (Unity), the independent challenger bank with a social conscience, has revealed the extent of its social impact in 2015 - including a 56% increase in lending to organisations which offer community, economic, social or environmental benefits.

  • 56% increase in lending to £46.8m
  • 3,773 jobs created and protected across UK
  • 502 bed spaces created
  • 13 community facilities established

Demonstrating Unity’s focus on social impact, the bank reinvests customer deposits as loans for organisations that contribute positive social change such as registered charities and Community Interest Companies. This lending creates housing, community finance and community and care assets.

Through these loans, 3,773 jobs were created and protected, 502 bed spaces were created through the build, purchase or renovation of housing and 13 community facilities were purchased or preserved.

One such organisation creating social change from a Unity loan is NAViGO CIC, who provide mental health and associated services. This year, an £800,000 loan from Unity was used to purchase a garden centre as a going concern. This has grown and diversified the income stream of NAViGO CIC, and the centre is used as a venue to host activities which positively impact the wellbeing of the wider community.

Closer to home, Unity also increased its own positive social impact for its customers, staff and local communities. Highlights in these areas include customer satisfaction scores of 8.9 out of 10 and staff fundraising reaching over £4,700 for good causes.

Darrin Nightingale, Director of Customer, Propositions & Corporate Affairs at Unity Trust Bank commented:
“Social impact and financial sustainability are at the core of Unity Trust Bank’s business ethos and we are proud to support our customers in these key areas. £46.8m, a 56% increase from 2014, is a tremendous lending milestone and we look forward to building on this as the bank continues to grow.

“As a bank for socially motivated organisations, we hope to help even more customers this year and further2015’s success.”