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Celebrating 40 years of ethical banking

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Celebrating 40 years of ethical banking

Published: May 1, 2024

Today is a proud day for Unity Trust Bank as we celebrate our 40th birthday. This milestone anniversary is a real proud moment for our bank.

It was on May 1st 1984 that Unity first opened for business. Our bank was born out of vision by the trade union movement and the Co-operative Bank to create a bank that served the common good.

Over four decades Unity has helped thousands of socially-minded organisations. Our investments allow them to deliver positive social impact across the UK and improve the lives of local communities.

In 2023, our total lending surpassed £1 billion for the first time. More than 45% of our lending went to organisations in areas of high deprivation.

We’re proud to have been awarded a number of accreditations. These recognise the continuous work we do to positively impact our people and society.

We were the first bank to be accredited as a Living Wage Employer and the first to be awarded the Fair Tax Mark. We have also reached a Gold Standard in Investors in People. These achievements are not just for the ‘badge’ but are a fundamental part of our values and what we do.

Colin Fyfe is the CEO at Unity Trust Bank. He said: “We’re proud of our 40-year heritage and to have reached this momentous milestone. But as we celebrate our birthday today, we are already building on our success and looking forward to the next 40 years.

“As Unity grows so does our commitment to our ‘double bottom line’ strategy of delivering positive social impact alongside strong commercial returns.”