Unity Trust Bank supports like-minded businesses and organisations that want to make a positive difference in local communities.
We were established in 1984 by the Trade Unions and Cooperative Bank to serve the common good, and those founding principles are still at the heart of what we do today.
For nearly 40 years we’ve worked with an array of businesses to change the futures of tens of thousands of people.
Here are the key milestones in our journey to becoming the bank of choice for all socially-minded organisations:
Unity Trust Bank was launched out of a vision by trade unions to serve the common good
Acquired full status as a bank
We committed to a 'double-bottom line' strategy to continue delivering positive social impact alongside sustainable financial returns
Became the first Living Wage accredited bank in the UK
First UK bank to achieve the Fair Tax Mark
Became a fully independent bank and appointed first female CEO
Adopted United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), signed up to Financing a Just Transition Alliance (FJTA)
Crowned Business of the Year by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
In 2023, Unity committed over £260 million to 162 organisations across the UK. As our total loan book surpassed £1 billion, this means Unity was supporting over 1,300 organisations to deliver social impact to their customers and communities.
With a continued commitment to create a better society through safe growth, our end of year results show:
45.3% of new commitments went to organisations delivering services in high deprivation areas across the UK
Over 1,200 people and households were supported with affordable homes
Over 1,450 care home spaces and 572 day care and education spaces were supported for a range of users
Over 7,000 jobs were supported and 21 apprenticeship spaces were provided across a range of sectors
