Local Councils
Managing public funds brings unique responsibilities, making strong governance, accountability and financial oversight essential.
Banking that knows local councils
Local councils play a vital role in supporting communities, and they deserve a bank that understands how they work. We recognise that councils aren’t like typical businesses, and their financial needs require specialist knowledge and responsive support.
Our specialist Public & Third Sectors Team understands council governance, financial reporting, and sector‑specific terminology. They’re here to support you with non‑transactional queries and provide guidance whenever you need it, whilst your everyday transactional needs can be handled by our dedicated Unity Experience Team.
Whether you’re managing operational finances, protecting public funds, or seeking a bank that truly understands the public sector, we offer straightforward banking supported by a relationship‑led approach and an online platform with enhanced authorisation for added peace of mind.
How we support Local Councils
We know that local councils need a bank that understands their unique structure, governance requirements, and community responsibilities. We’ve shaped our services around the real‑world challenges councils face, offering practical, specialist support at every step.
Understanding how councils operate
We recognise that councils have distinct governance, reporting and financial requirements.
Our application process reflects this by incorporating council-specific terminology, such as precept figures and AGAR reports, and by requesting information that is relevant to council operations. This helps create a clearer and more efficient account opening experience.
Quick and simple mandate changes
Councils experience frequent changes in councillors and clerks, especially around election cycles.
We process changes within 10–14 working days, helping councils maintain secure access and continuity. This means the right people can approve payments and manage online banking without disruption.
Supporting councils with more complex needs
As councils grow, so do their financial requirements. We provide access to:
- Bacs services
- CHAPS payments
- Corporate purchasing cards
- Accounting software integrations
We also offer hands‑on support to ensure these services are set up correctly and meet customer needs.
Providing secure, flexible Online Banking
Public accountability requires strong controls.
That’s why we offer single, dual, and triple authorisation options for online payments, giving councils the flexibility to match their internal governance processes while maintaining robust security.
Helping councils maximise their precepts
Councils need to balance accessibility of funds with the ability to earn interest.
We support this by offering a range of savings products, from instant access accounts to notice accounts and fixed‑term deposits. Councils can choose the level of access they need while still making the most of their reserves.
Staying connected to the sector
We regularly attend conferences, AGMs, and local association events, giving councils direct access to our team.
We also run training sessions and quarterly Clerk and Locum forums, creating space for councils to ask questions, share experiences, and stay informed about updates to our processes.
Accounts and services
Manage your organisation’s money online and on the phone with our Business Current Accounts.
- Secure 24/7 Online Banking
- Role based user permissions and payment approval controls
- Single, dual and triple authority options
- Dedicated local council support team
Grow your council’s funds with our Savings Accounts and we’ll help your deposits to deliver good.
- Instant access, fixed term and notice accounts
- Re-invested in UK projects
- Dedicated local council support team
Make payments and manage spending with ease using our range of payment options.
- Accepting card payments
- Bacs services
- CHAPS payments
- Corporate purchasing cards
Switch to a bank that understands local councils
Switching your council’s banking shouldn’t feel daunting. With the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), moving to us is fast, secure and fully managed, so your council can enjoy sector‑specific support without the stress of a complicated transition.
When you switch, we take care of the entire process and it’s guaranteed to take seven working days or less. That means no disruption to payments, no chasing suppliers, and no administrative burden on clerks or councillors.
Switching means joining a bank that understands council governance, offers faster mandate updates, provides flexible authorisation controls and supports you with dedicated, UK‑based expertise.
Useful information
Useful information to help you progress an application for a new or additional bank account with us.
A handy guide to assist with any changes you might need to make to your account.
Useful information, learning resources and step-by-step guides to help you make the most of our services.
Meet us at upcoming events
We continue to attend as many events as we can throughout the year across the country. These are a chance to meet the team, discuss your banking needs and explore how we can support organisations like yours. See where to find us below:
- 18 September 2026
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Leading Local Change: Cambs & Peterborough Association of Local Councils (CPALC) Conference 2026
The Willows Training Centre, Wyboston Lakes Resort, Great North Road, Wyboston, St Neots, MK44 3AL, from 9:30am
- 30 September 2026
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Yorkshire Local Councils Associations (YLCA) Training Day
Fairfield Manor Hotel on Shipton Road, Skelton, York, YO30 1XW, from 9am
- 01 October 2026
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Norfolk Parish Training & Support (NPTS) Autumn Essential Updates Seminar
Queens Hills Community Centre, Costessey, Norfolk, NR8 5BP, from 10am
- 03 October 2026
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Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils (Northants CALC)
Moulton Community Centre, Sandy Hill Lane, Northampton, NN3 7AX, from 10am
- 06 October 2026
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Cornwall Local Councils Conference 2026
Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, PL27 7JE, from 10am
- 07 October 2026
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Devon Association of Local Councils (DALC) Annual Conference and AGM 2026
Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter, EX6 7XS, from 8.30am
- 08 October 2026
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The Somerset Parishes Conference 2026, hosted by the Somerset Association of Local Councils (SALC)
The Canalside Conference Centre, Marsh Lane, Huntworth, Bridgwater, TA6 6LQ, from 9am
- 10 October 2026
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Cumbria Association of Local Councils (CALC) Annual General Meeting 2026
Roundthorn Country House Hotel, Penrith, CA11 8SJ, from 9.30am - 13 & 14 October 2026
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Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) National Conference 2026
De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel, Lake 6, Spine Road East, Cirencester, GL7 5FP, from 8.30am daily - 21 October 2026
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Nottinghamshire Association of Local Councils (NALC) Annual General Meeting 2026
Calverton Village Hall, William Lee Memorial Park, Park Road, Calverton, Nottingham, NG14 6SA, from 1.30pm
A bank you can trust
We secured an investment‑grade rating of BBB‑ from Fitch Ratings in July 2025, reflecting our financial strength and prudent approach to risk.
In June 2025, we were recognised for leadership in Net Zero finance, following The King’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development in May 2024.
We were awarded the ‘Good Egg’ mark from the responsible finance site, Good With Money, in June 2025, in recognition of our ethical business practices.
In January 2026, we were awarded the ICS ServiceMark for consistently high levels of customer satisfaction and service quality, based on independent assessment and customer feedback.
Ways to grow your impact
Explore the Unity Impact Toolkit to understand how you can measure and grow the impact of your organisation, or visit our Impact Hub to explore the full social, economic and environmental impact we deliver.
Save with certainty
Your eligible savings and deposits with Unity Trust Bank are protected up to a total of £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), the UK’s deposit guarantee scheme. Eligibility criteria and limits apply.