Current Articles | Categories | Search | Syndication

04 March 2010
NESsT Fundraising Campaign for Victims of the Chilean Earthquake backed by Charity Bank
By chris @ 20:30 :: 56 Views ::

NESsT Fundraising Campaign for Victims of the Chilean Earthquake backed by Charity Bank


In response to the tragic events following the earthquake in Chile, NESsT has established the Levantando Chile Fund to support local Chilean non-profit organisations that are channelling assistance to communities on the ground.


 
Levantando Chile will support both immediate assistance and long-term reconstruction efforts in Chile.

NESsT is an organisation that works in emerging market countries by developing and supporting social enterprises that strengthen civil society organisations' financial sustainability and maximize their social impact.


For more details or to support the Levantando Chile Fund visit the NESsT website www.nesst.org
Read More..
23 February 2010
New Appointment For Leeds Charity Bank Team
By chris @ 12:51 :: 149 Views :: :: Press Release

NEW APPOINTMENT FOR LEEDS CHARITY BANK TEAM


Charity Bank has recruited Paul Harrison as Senior Manager of Charity Bank in the North.

With a career spanning over 30 years in banking, Paul joined Charity Bank as a loans assessor in October 2008 and has now been appointed to head up the team at the bank’s regional office in Leeds.

Before joining Charity Bank, Paul – a keen tennis player, who lives just outside Halifax – worked at Nat West, TSB and HBOS, and was previously the Senior Lending Manager at Alliance & Leicester, with responsibility for lending to housing associations and the public sector.

Says Paul, ahead of a reception in York on Tuesday 23 February, to thank its customers and partners for their support: “I am excited about the opportunity to further expand my work with the charitable sector.

“The organisations we meet are doing inspiring work in deprived communities, often with minimum resources, and both the team and myself are committed to supporting them in their mission to tackle social issues such as homelessness, unemployment and lack of community facilities.”

Charity Bank’s first regional office was set up, thanks to the support of Yorkshire Forward, in June 2007.

Since then the team has been providing specialist financial services to charities and social enterprises in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Alongside a loans service, the team runs an investment readiness programme, comprising a series of workshops aimed at charitable sector organisations considering loan finance.

Says Helen Thomson, Assistant Director of Economic Inclusion at Yorkshire Forward: “Through its mix of loan finance, grant funding and business support, Charity Bank in the North is helping to create organisations that are able to thrive in this time of economic uncertainty.

“The team is enabling charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations to carry on their work, offering vital services to the most vulnerable people in the region, and creating jobs and income for communities.”

For more information about its loan service or deposit products, or its investment readiness programme, visit www.charitybank.org or call the team on 01732 774040.
Read More..
13 February 2010
Contribute to Haiti's reconstruction through Haitian Microfinance Institutions
By chris @ 13:48 :: 123 Views :: :: News Items
Charity Bank joins other INAISE members to help Haitian member KNFP

At the moment, the coordination of the emergency assistance is a major issue, but it’s already time to think about Haiti’s reconstruction. 

INAISE is an international network of social finance organisations which includes Charity Bank.

Our Haitian member, KNFP (Konsey Nasyonal Finansman Popile), is made up of 9 Microfinance Institutions who work with almost 3000 solidarity mutual funds representing 365 000 people all around the country.

Like many other crucial players in the country, KNFP has lost all its assets (building, vehicles) in the earthquake. Moreover, with a current focus on aid, the development programs of its financial partners might be transferred to emergency help.
As a consequence, KNFP will face real difficulties and could see its capacity for intervention weakened dramatically.

We need your support to help KNFP become a key tool of Haitian reconstruction.

Our objectives are:

   1. To help KNFP rebuild its capacity for intervention: by searching for a new home from which operate, acquiring a replacement vehicle fleet and a new computer pool so that it can resume its daily activity.
   2. To enable KNFP, through its members, to welcome the inland migrants (by ensuring food and water supply and offer some camp facilities)
   3. To encourage the resumption of even basic economic activity amongst its members. Given the deep state of breakdown of the local economy, this can only be done through donations.

Today KNFP’s need, to rebuild a minimum structure and restart its activity, comes to 50 000 Euro. It’s not that much but it can have a real impact on over 65 000 Haitian families (about 365,000 people)
Read More..
19 December 2009
Fraudulent Emails
By lgaensly @ 10:03 :: 4115 Views :: :: News Items

Charity Bank is aware that fraudulent emails are being received by people in different parts of the world which either purport to have been sent by the Bank or state that the Bank will make payment for goods that those people have sold, frequently via internet auctions sites. It is not Charity Bank policy to act as an intermediary for making international payments for good and services.

Anyone receiving e-mails claiming that payment will be made by Charity Bank should not act upon that statement and report the incident to their local police authorities.

No responsibility attaches to The Charity Bank Limited in such circumstances
Read More..
08 December 2009
The Times Money Guide Gives Charity Bank’s Small Steps Account the Thumbs Up
By chris @ 13:49 :: 577 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

The Times Money Guide Gives Charity Bank’s Small Steps Account the Thumbs Up


The Times newspaper has given Charity Bank’s Small Steps account the “thumbs up” in its need-to-know financial guide of current saving products.

Charity Bank’s Small Steps Account is for young people under 16, to encourage the idea of philanthropy from an early age. Because it only lends to charitable organisations doing vital work across the UK and beyond, they can be sure that their money will be used to make a difference to the most deprived people in their local communities.

The Chief Executive of Charity Bank, Malcolm Hayday, says: “The Small Steps account gives young people their first experience of saving for the common good.  As well as learning the benefits of having a savings pot, they’ll also be learning the value of money in making a difference.”

The account pays a healthy 2 per cent and is fixed for a minimum period of six months.

Money saved with Charity Bank is used to support organisations like CHICKS who provide disadvantaged children with the life enhancing experience of a free respite break away in the countryside. Charity Bank helped CHICKS buy a permanent home in Devon, enabling them to continue to provide respite holidays to children for many years to come.

Charity Bank Small Steps Account Application Form
Read More..
07 December 2009
Charity Bank Backs The Which? ‘Britain Needs Better Banks’ Campaign
By chris @ 10:12 :: 390 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

CHARITY BANK BACKS THE WHICH?
‘BRITAIN NEEDS BETTER BANKS’ CAMPAIGN


Charity Bank is putting its name behind the Which? campaign for better banking.

With the general election approaching, the campaign aims to lobby Government to get tough on banks and to change banking to help ordinary people.

Which? is encouraging people to take action and demand that high street banks give customers better service and stop taking big risks.

It’s being backed by Charity Bank, which has remained relatively shielded from the recent banking turmoil, thanks to its responsible lending policy and because it hasn’t exposed itself to risk in the money markets. 

Recently announcing a 25 per cent growth in its balance sheet, it’s increasingly an option for depositors looking to do something different with their money.

That’s because it is the only bank in the UK that uses depositors’ money soley to support charitable organisations.  And its policy of publishing details of every loan it makes also appeals to customers demanding greater levels of transparency from the banking sector.

Charity Bank’s chief executive, Malcolm Hayday says “The Which? research shows that people are angry with the banks for being one of the root causes of the financial crisis and that, despite over £120 billion of taxpayers’ money going into the banking system, not much has improved. This campaign is about changing banking for the benefit of the consumer.”

“Banks like us, with a social as well as financial motivation, are an antidote to the banking crisis. We offer savers personal service, security and transparency and the knowledge that their money will be used to fund charities and help communities. We put people first and encourage other banks to do the same.”

Take a look at www.bnbb.org and if you agree with the campaign, Charity Bank encourages you to add your voice.
Read More..
07 December 2009
Charity Bank Earns Double Innovation Awards
By chris @ 10:06 :: 364 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

CHARITY BANK EARNS DOUBLE INNOVATION AWARDS


The sector’s specialist bank received two major awards for its innovation last night at the Financial Innovation Awards.

Charity Bank, which was shortlisted in three categories of the awards run by the Institute of Financial Services (ifs) and now in its 12th year, won the judges’ praise for most effective partnerships strategy for its work with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and most innovative customer experience programme for its Different Journeys initiative.

It was also nominated for most promising new product for its Charity ISA.

Of the first award the judges said: “Charity Bank’s pioneering partnership with Yorkshire Forward, the region’s development agency, creates a new model for financing community projects and charities so that much needed services can be offered to marginalised communities.”

Of the second award the judges said: “An excellent project – bringing trust and responsibility back to banking” and “a niche bank but very important in the charity field. Customer experiences are not like run-of-the-mill banks so I found it fascinating what has been achieved.”

Picking up the award at the ceremony, hosted by Sky Sports broadcaster and journalist Georgie Thompson, Charity Bank’s chief executive Malcolm Hayday said:
 
“We are honoured to have this recognition of our work and it’s a testimony to the passion and commitment of the team.  They want to make a difference, by making a creative use of people’s savings, in order to help charities and social enterprises deliver the best service they can to our communities.”

For more information about Charity Bank’s work, visit www.charitybank.org.
Read More..
18 November 2009
Liverpool and Sefton Communities set to benefit from £5M investment fund
By chris @ 10:14 :: 535 Views :: :: News Items

LIVERPOOL AND SEFTON COMMUNITIES SET TO BENEFIT FROM £5M INVESTMENT FUND


Liverpool savers and investors are being urged to back an exciting new initiative – creating a £5m investment fund to help regenerate one of the most deprived parts of the city.

Liverpool Vision, the city’s Economic Development Company, has teamed up with an ethical bank to support social enterprises in Liverpool and Sefton, via a guaranteed savings fund for private investors, businesses and wealth funds.

Money deposited in the new Liverpool Sefton Social Investment Bond will be invested in organisations working in North Liverpool and South Sefton in ways that will help give the area a new economic future while delivering quality public services meeting community needs.

The area, which is made up of six of the most deprived wards in the country, lags behind other parts of Liverpool that are seeing economic growth.  Business start-up and survival rates are well below those elsewhere in the city, and the UK average.
 
Liverpool Vision’s Director of investment and enterprise, Mike Taylor, says: “We know from talking to businesses in this area that one of the main barriers to starting up a business, and to business growth, is lack of available finance.  It is clearly proving difficult to attract new investment, making the challenge of regeneration an even tougher task.

“The problem needs a creative solution and we’re confident we’ve found that in the new Bond, which will encourage social investment – an alternative form of philanthropy, in that people don’t have to give their money away to support good causes.”

The Bond is available from Charity Bank, a charity that is also a regulated bank, which uses its depositors’ funds solely to invest in and support the social enterprise sector.

The money raised by the Bond will be used to offer loan finance from £50,000 to £2 million to social enterprises and other community organisations in North Liverpool and South Sefton that are creating jobs and bringing economic investment, regeneration and development to the area.

Mr Taylor, who will be at the official launch of the Bond tomorrow night [19 November] at the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards, added: “I’m confident that businesses, charities and private individuals alike will get behind this innovative initiative to bring investment to the communities in Liverpool and Sefton that most need it.”

The Chief Executive of Charity Bank, Malcolm Hayday, said: “We’re looking forward to working with social enterprises in their mission to transform the future of communities in Liverpool and Sefton but we need the support of depositors to do that.  The Bond offers savers a safe, secure and transparent way to support their local community without having to give their money away.

“It’s a great alternative for those who, in this economic climate, might be struggling to sustain their support for charity, because we can use their savings to fund these vital projects, and then they can get their money back when they want it.  And unlike a donation which once spent, is gone, we can lend the money out again and again while it remains with us.”

Part of the Charities Aid Foundation family, Charity Bank started life in 2002 and its balance sheet is now approaching £60 million. It has committed nearly £100 million to a range of community activities including sustainable development, health and social care and education and training projects.

Individuals or organisations interested in finding out more details about the Bond or loan service can visit www.charitybank.org/liverpool or contact Charity Bank’s North West-based Regional Director, Simon Thorrington at sthorrington@charitybank.org.  Alternatively ring 01732 774040 or email enquiries@charitybank.org.
Read More..
22 October 2009
New Welsh Community Bond set to support charity sector in Wales
By chris @ 18:12 :: 698 Views ::

NEW WELSH COMMUNITY BOND SET TO SUPPORT CHARITY SECTOR IN WALES

Launch backed by Welsh Assembly Government Finance Chief


A NEW ethical savings account was launched in Cardiff with the aim of supporting Welsh charities and social enterprises at a critical time.

Guest of honour at the reception to launch the Welsh Community Bond was Andrew Davies AM, the Welsh Assembly Government’s Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery.

The idea behind the Bond is to increase the available funds for lending to Welsh charities and social enterprises, at a time when they face the prospects of a slow down in their public grant funding and a decline in income from legacies and donations.  

The Bond is being offered by Charity Bank, a unique organisation that is both a bank and a charity. It uses its depositors’ funds solely to provide affordable loan finance and support to charitable organisations doing vital work in communities in Wales and across the UK and beyond.

Commenting at the launch, Andrew Davies AM said “Earlier this year I called on public service providers to identify smart, innovative ways of working, as well as new ways of creating wider access to capital, such as a Citizen’s Bank. The Welsh Community Bond is exactly the sort of thing I had in mind.

“One of the attractions of the Bond is that it is invested in local community organisations, so people know their money is being used to make a difference.  I hope the people of Wales get behind it and we can make it the success it deserves.”

Charity Bank started life back in 2002 and has grown year on year with its balance sheet now standing in excess of £60 million.  Since its launch, it has invested in a range of Welsh activities including the arts, sustainable development and re-cycling, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and faith projects.

Added Malcolm Hayday, Chief Executive of Charity Bank: “We’re delighted to be able to offer Welsh savers a safe, secure and transparent way to use their money to support the country’s charitable sector. 

“At a time when the availability of capital from traditional banks is tight, and in birthplace of the founder of the co-operative movement, Robert Owen, it seems fitting that Charity Bank, with its ambitions to redress injustice through social investment, should be helping to meet the funding needs of Welsh community organisations.”

Visit Charity Bank Wales section of the website.
Read More..
20 August 2009
Charity Bank Earns Triple Award Nomination
By chris @ 12:18 :: 961 Views :: :: Press Release

CHARITY BANK EARNS TRIPLE AWARD NOMINATION


Charity Bank has been shortlisted in three categories of the Financial Innovation Awards, run by the Institute of Financial Services (ifs) and now in its 12th year.

Charity Bank, which is the only bank in the UK that lends solely to the charitable sector, and which recently announced a 25 per cent growth in its balance sheet, has been nominated for:

  • Most effective partnerships strategy for its work with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward
  • Most innovative customer experience programme for its Different Journeys initiative
  • Most promising new product for its Charity ISA
Says Chief Executive Malcolm Hayday: “The ifs awards are a key event in the financial industry calendar and to have this recognition by our peers is a tremendous honour.   Being nominated is testimony to Charity Bank’s innovation and creativity, and to the work of the team.”

Alongside the other finalists, Charity Bank’s work will be recognised at a dinner and awards ceremony in London on 3 December, hosted by Sky Sports broadcaster and journalist Georgie Thompson and with after-dinner speaker James Cracknell OBE.

Charity Bank is also one of three shortlisted in the Banking Services category of the Charity Times Awards, now in its tenth year, that celebrates best practice in the UK charity and not-for-profit sector.  The results will be announced on 9 September . 

For more information about Charity Bank’s work, visit www.charitybank.org.
Read More..
30 July 2009
Charity Bank announces positive mid year results
By chris @ 20:18 :: 1133 Views :: :: Press Release

Charity Bank announces positive mid year results


Charity Bank’s balance sheet has grown by 25 per cent this year and is now just shy of £60 million – 10 times bigger than when it launched in 2002.

The loans book now stands at over £31m with £11.65m loan finance already agreed this year.

And with deposits at £44.1m Charity Bank continues to be an attractive option for depositors looking to do something different with their money, with nearly £6m raised through its Charity ISA since last June.

Additionally, in the wake of the banking crisis, the number of organisations depositing with Charity Bank has doubled in the last year, as they look to diversify funding to ensure all their funds are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Says Malcolm Hayday, Charity Bank’s Chief Executive: “The bank’s performance has held up during a tough six months and we’re continuing to see money come in on one side of the deposit sheet and flow out again to support the sector.

“This puts us in a good position to make the most of opportunities coming our way to grow the business and we expect to see this trend continue over the next six months.”

One of the bank’s newest borrowers is Hillside Clubhouse, established 19 years ago to provide rehabilitation and assistance to adults with mental health problems.

It has formally agreed the terms of a £250,000 loan towards the £570k costs of the purchase and fit-out of two adjoining shop front units in a new development in Islington, North London.

The units will be converted into a new clubhouse to replace the existing site, currently a rented church, which is to be vacated as the landlord wishes to redevelop.
Read More..
13 July 2009
Charity Bank in the North celebrates its second anniversary
By chris @ 15:40 :: 1172 Views :: :: Press Release, Events

Charity Bank in the North celebrates its second anniversary



Charity Bank's Deputy Chief Executive, Jim Gilbourne
 
To celebrate the second anniversary of its creation, with the support of Yorkshire Forward, the Charity Bank in the North team held a reception at its new office in Leeds at the end of June. The event was attended by some of its partners helping to deliver the Investment Readiness programme, key regional infrastructure organisations, local accountants and lawyers specialising in the Third Sector, and potential clients.


Keynote address was given by Thea Stein, Executive Director of Economic Inclusion at Yorkshire Forward


Martin Patterson of St George's Crypt
 
The reception was chaired by Charity Bank's Deputy Chief Executive, Jim Gilbourne, and the keynote address was given by Thea Stein, Executive Director of Economic Inclusion at Yorkshire Forward.  Guests also heard from two organisations with which the team has worked.  All the speakers were very positive on the contribution that Charity Bank in the North had made in Yorkshire & Humberside and look forward to the continuing success of its work.


Charity Bank in the North’s Senior Manager, Malcolm Rogers with Thea Stein, Executive Director of Economic Inclusion at Yorkshire Forward

Light refreshments were provided by Create, a social enterprise which Charity Bank has worked with in the past.
Read More..
26 June 2009
Help Young People’s Project win a National Lottery Award
By chris @ 16:22 :: 1213 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

Help Young People’s Project win a National Lottery Award

 
Young People’s Project (YPP), a Charity Bank borrower, is competing for a National Lottery Award and a £2,000 prize.  They’re running against nine other projects in the Best Education Project category, and they need your votes.

YPP works with young people and young parents with a mission to enable them to reach their potential. The YPP had already received funding for three years from the lottery in addition to a loan from Charity Bank to provide a permanent base for their project.

Achievements over the three years include: 
  • Developing from a small team of 6 workers to a team of 35
  • Increasing the running of its services from 3 days to 6 days a week 
  • Starting a whole new team of volunteers with the training of young people to be ‘peer educators’ to run sex and relationship lessons in the community
  • Training of young people to volunteer in the community
  • Many of its young people winning national awards for their achievements
  • Running healthy eating sessions and setting up a café and catering company.
  • Running and developing parenting training sessions
  • Developing a new accreditation – leading to 21 accredited courses.
  • And lots of amazing stories of young people’s lives changing through volunteering, starting work and college.   We have seen so many changes and so many developments and we are keen to have recognition for the hard work and determination of many young people.

Because young people work and volunteer with YPP, so young people’s views are at the heart of all our activities.

To support us simply:
  • Visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards,
  • Click on the Best Education Project category.
  • Locate the healthy lifestyles from the Young Peoples Project
  • Click on the link at the bottom of the page
  • Then click on VOTE NOW!

Alternatively you can call 0844 686 8465 to register your phone vote.  Every vote counts, so we really appreciate your support.

Voting begins on 22nd June and ends on 10th July 2009. The votes will be counted and those with the most votes will be entered into the final, where public vote will decide the winner on national TV.
Read More..
19 June 2009
Charity Bank appoints director for Wales
By Hawkers @ 09:18 :: 1048 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

Charity Bank appoints director for Wales

The Charity Bank has appointed its first ever regional director for Wales.

The bank, which was established in 2002, is being headed in Wales by Cardiff-based Ian Courtney.
Read More..
08 June 2009
Charity Bank Open Day
By chris @ 10:28 :: 334 Views ::
For more information click here
Read More..
05 June 2009
Charity Bank Goes From Strength To Strength
By chris @ 11:51 :: 1204 Views :: :: Press Release

CHARITY BANK GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH


Charity Bank, which uses its depositors’ money solely to support charities and social enterprises, has announced an increase in both sides of its balance sheet.

Outlining its 2008 results at its AGM last month, Charity Bank revealed that deposits grew by almost 7% in 2008 and had topped £40 million by the beginning of May 2009.

Thanks to the success of products like the Charity ISA, it has seen its depositor base increase to almost 2000, up 39% in three years.

On the other side of the balance sheet, loans to charities and community projects grew by 39% year on year, to £27.3m in 2008, and by 40% in the year to April 2009 - a six fold increase since December 2002.

The organisation expects that the level of drawn loans, which currently stands at £29.4m, will break through £30m for the first time ever in June.

Says the Chief Executive of Charity Bank, Malcolm Hayday: “The fact we’re lending to more organisations than ever, and still have a negligible default rate, is proof of the need for a bank that serves just charities, community groups and social enterprises.

“Thanks to the support of our depositors, these organisations are able to achieve great things with relatively modest sums.”

For more information about its range of accounts, visit www.charitybank.org or call the deposits team on 01732 774040.
Read More..
05 June 2009
NCVO CEO Calls For A Social Investment Bank...
By chris @ 11:46 :: 1070 Views :: :: Press Release

NCVO CEO CALLS FOR A SOCIAL INVESTMENT BANK, TO ENABLE THE CREATION OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE STATE AND MARKET


Speaking at the Charity Bank AGM today, Stuart Etherington, CEO, NCVO, argued that civil society organisations play a crucial role in providing alternative solutions to the state and market.

Etherington said: “Charities, co-operatives, community based models, or social enterprise can provide different solutions to those traditionally provided by the state or the market.  But for this to happen an independent and thriving social investment marketplace urgently needs to be developed in order to support the sector’s short-term and long-term financial requirements.”

 “The establishment of a SIB will be hugely beneficial.  It will give charities and voluntary organisations greater access to capital investment opportunities, allowing them to enhance their capacity and provide better support and services to the individuals and communities they work with.”

Etherington outlined his proposal for the development of a wholesale level Social Investment Bank (SIB). This will support and capitalise existing social and ethical investment institutions, such as Charity Bank, who will act at the retail level, offering capital loans and other financial instruments to voluntary organisations.   Government could kick-start the SIB with £50m of support, further funding would come from dormant bank accounts.  He also proposed diverting the return flow of Futurebuilders funds to support the SIB. 
Read More..
02 June 2009
Annual Review 2008
By chris @ 15:50 :: 343 Views ::
For more information click here
Read More..
02 June 2009
Valid Nutrition – An example of our work overseas
By chris @ 15:42 :: 340 Views ::
For more information click here
Read More..
25 March 2009
New Interest Rates as of 1st April 2009
By Hawkers @ 21:09 :: 432 Views ::

Our rates will be changing as of 1st April.  Please see our interest rates section for further details.
Read More..