Unity is a commercial bank with a difference; we only lend to organisations and businesses that help create a better society.
Now in our 37th year, we were established with a vision to create a business bank that would serve the needs of its customers and enrich society. Our purpose is to help organisations to flourish and make a positive difference to the economy, local communities and the environment. Our lending helps to create and protect jobs and support the development of community and health care facilities, and in 2020 we were voted the Socially Responsible Lender of the Year in the NACFB Awards.
Unity has a ‘double-bottom line’ strategy which means that we assess sustainable financial returns alongside social impact, using the United Nations Social Development Goals as our guide. All of our funding comes from customer deposits and as an ethical bank, you can trust that we never lend your money to a company or industry that doesn’t share our values.
This approach, along with our aim to pursue safe and sustainable growth, has ensured that Unity remains financially strong and resilient.
Here are some of the social impact highlights from 2020:
- 712 Jobs created or protected
- 722 bed spaces created and renovated
- £16.9m lending to Responsible Finance Intermediaries
- 1,327 People provided with housing – a 200% increase on 2019
- NACFB Socially Responsible Bank of the Year.
To find out more about how Unity makes a difference, read our 2020 Impact Report
