King’s Award recognises Charity Bank’s £650 million support for social purpose organisations

Charity Bank has formally received the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, recognising a banking model dedicated exclusively to supporting charities, social enterprises and other social purpose organisations.  

Since 2002, Charity Bank has made more than 1,500 loans worth over £650 million, helping organisations working across housing, education, social care, community services and environmental projects.  

Unlike conventional banking models, Charity Bank uses customers’ savings to provide loans that enable charities and social purpose organisations to grow their impact, invest in facilities and services, and strengthen communities across the UK.  

The King’s Award was formally presented at a celebration event attended by borrowers, customers, partners and supporters, with speakers illustrating the impact that access to appropriate finance can have.  

Guests heard from:  

• Kent Wildlife Trust, which spoke about the redevelopment of the visitor centre at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve.  

• Kent Autistic Trust, which highlighted the expansion of specialist services and supported living provision.  

• Majlis e Ulama e Shia Europe, which described the creation of a new mosque and community hub serving local people in Streatham.  

Together, these projects demonstrate the breadth of social and environmental outcomes that can be achieved when mission-driven organisations have access to the right finance at the right time.  

Ed Siegel, CEO of Charity Bank, said:  

“We are incredibly proud to receive a King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. It is a significant recognition of Charity Bank’s long-standing commitment to using finance as a force for good and supporting organisations tackling some of the UK’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.  

“This award belongs to everyone who chooses to save, borrow, invest or work with Charity Bank because they believe money can be used to create positive change. Most importantly, it celebrates the remarkable organisations we support and the extraordinary impact they have in communities across the country.”  

Speaking at the event, Sir Hugh Robertson, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, said:  

“What makes Charity Bank particularly remarkable is the close alignment between its ownership, mission and everyday business, demonstrating that values-led banking can successfully combine financial resilience with measurable social and environmental impact.  

The King’s Award for Enterprise recognises exceptional achievement and excellence, and this award is a fitting tribute to Charity Bank’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and to the skill, care and determination of everyone involved in delivering its mission.”  

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards, recognising outstanding achievement across innovation, international trade, sustainable development and social mobility. Charity Bank was recognised in the sustainable development category. 

The award comes as charities and social purpose organisations continue to face significant pressures around funding, rising costs and growing demand for services. Charity Bank believes access to patient, mission-aligned finance has an important role to play alongside grants, fundraising and other funding sources.  

For Charity Bank, the King’s Award represents recognition not only of its own achievements, but also of the wider contribution that charities and social enterprises make to society and the environment every day.