Our commitment to the community
We are committed to being a good local, corporate, and world citizen, working to improve all communities. We commit to making them stronger and more resilient with economic and social opportunities for their members, and will campaign for wider change when needed.
We are proud to continue playing an active role in the co-operative movement, working to create a fairer and more co-operative economy that works for both people and the planet.
What we will do
In line with our Ethical Policy, we will:
- Promote economic and social development
- Support co-operatives and the co-operative movement
- Support charities and organisations in the social enterprise sector
- Continue to actively support the small business community
- Operate with honesty and transparency at every level of our business.
What we won't do
Determined through our ethical screening process, we will not provide banking services to any business or organisation:
- That takes an irresponsible approach to the payment of taxes in the UK, or elsewhere
- Whose core business focuses on irresponsible gambling, or the provision of payday loans.
We're committed
to being good digital citizens who regularly assess the protections in place for social media users.
We will support
the co-operative movement, particularly through our partnership with Co-operatives UK.
Supporting the Disasters Emergency Committee with emergency fundraising appeals
The Disasters Emergency Committee (or DEC) brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas.
Since 2022, we’ve supported all of the DEC’s public emergency fundraising appeals, including Ukraine, Pakistan Floods and Turkey-Syria Earthquake appeals.
At the end of 2023, we proudly joined as the newest member of the DEC's Rapid Response Network. As a member of the Network, we are committed to supporting future emergency fundraising appeals wherever possible. Our membership enables us to spread the word, empowering our dedicated customers and colleagues to play a part in the DEC’s mission with quick and simple ways to donate.
Supporting the growth of the UK’s co-operative sector
Since 2016 we’ve committed £2.5 million to support co-ops nationally. We’re proud to deliver our Business Support for Co-ops programme through our partnership with Co-operatives UK, supporting the development and growth of the UK’s dynamic co-operative and social enterprise sector.
We help by giving socially-minded people, innovators, and groups the support they need to succeed.
Our colleagues are given paid volunteering leave
We provide every colleague with two paid days a year (pro-rata) for volunteering — something we’ve been doing since 2006.
From helping out at food banks and homeless shelters to working with mental health charities, our colleagues have collectively dedicated thousands of hours to supporting important causes over the years.
Creating a buzz in the community with the Digital Bees
Since 2019, our Bee colleagues have been on a mission to support communities by sharing their knowledge of all things digital.
From helping people develop their basic tech skills to educating the younger generation about digital careers, our network of volunteers are on hand to assist with the digital needs of communities across the UK.
Celebrating inclusion and diversity with Manchester Pride Festival
Since 2016, we’ve been supporting Manchester Pride Festival, one of the UK’s leading charities for the LGBTQ+ community. As well as celebrating LGBTQ+ life, they campaign for equality for all, and to create opportunities that allow LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester to thrive. We support their vision for a world where LGBTQ+ people are free to live and love without prejudice, something that strongly aligns with our own values and ethics.
Find out more about our support for Manchester Pride Festival and the LGBTQ+ community.
Supporting communities through our Customer Donation Fund
We believe that doing good and doing good business go hand in hand.
This is why, as an ethical bank dedicated to building stronger communities, we give the opportunity for registered charities, community interest companies, co-operatives, and credit unions to apply for funding from our Customer Donation Fund twice a year when they sign up to our Community Directplus Current Account.
Planet
We’ve remained committed to the planet by tackling the climate crisis over the past 30 years — and we’re not stopping any time soon.
People
We were created to give people a fairer deal — guided by our unique, customer-led Ethical Policy, we’ll always take action on the issues that matter most to our customers.
Our values and ethics
Since 1872 we’ve been committed to our co-operative values and ethics, which are still fundamental to who we are today.
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