Chamber members, Unity Trust Bank, a specialist commercial lender, has released its half year financial results, which report net lending for socially-responsible businesses in the North-West of £11,648,000.
As SMEs, organisations and charities across the region look ahead to post-lockdown recovery, Unity Trust Bank has continued to deliver a positive impact from its Northern hub in Manchester over the last six months.
Funding has enabled local businesses to continue making a positive social and economic impact within their communities. This includes the investment of £3.2m in affordable housing for 85 vulnerable people across the North-West, and £1.8m to support the development of a regeneration project in Manchester.
Unity has reported an increase in total net lending across the UK of more than £68million. This increase demonstrates how Unity continues to deliver safe and sustainable growth, reporting pre-tax profits of £5.2million for the first six months of the year, up 65% on the same period in 2020.
Growing at more than 25 per cent per annum, Unity supports SMEs and organisations that share its values in wanting to contribute to positive economic, social and environmental change.
In addition to Unity’s continued focus within education, housing and social care, there has been significant growth across the healthcare sector during the past six months, particularly in pharmacy and dentistry.
John Copping, Regional Director of the North for Unity Trust Bank, said:
“My team has demonstrated incredible resilience over the last 18 months, having provided unwavering support for our customers and adapting services to meet their evolving business needs at a time when income generation continues to be a challenge – it is a testament to the strength of our customer relationships and Unity’s people-first approach.
“We are proud to be able to support local organisations that operate for the greater good and demonstrate how finance can have a positive impact on society. We understand how crucial access to funding is for our customers to make an impact within their local communities, and to help vulnerable people across the region.”
Margaret Willis, CEO of Unity Trust Bank, continued:
“At Unity, we recognise the role we play in addressing acute issues of inequality, which we anticipate will be increasingly prevalent as we emerge from the pandemic.
“The results that Unity has achieved in the first six months of the year has meant we have continued to deliver impact across the UK, and we are proud to be part of the North-West’s continued growth and development.
“As we look to expand our reach further, Unity, our people and our customers, are committed to helping to create a better society for all.”
To read the half year impact report in full and learn more about Unity’s commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, click HERE.
