As you know, our customer-led Ethical Policy is at the centre of what we do.  Over the years our customers have helped shape the decisions we make and they have told us that as part of being their ethical bank,
it’s important we continue to make a positive change to society.  In recent months we’ve been consulting with colleagues, customers and
charity leaders to help make an informed decision on how we can focus
our efforts to bring about this positive change they expect from us.

Through this work, we have identified that we are in a great position to tackle the issues surrounding poverty by enabling communities to help themselves. It’s a broad theme that encompasses so much of the great work we already do, such as looking after our vulnerable customers and making sure our products are fair. It also reflects the cooperative value of self-help and support more sustainable change.

Centrepoint is a charity that tirelessly supports vulnerable children across the UK and uses practical action to help young people break the cycle of homelessness and unemployment.  Founded in the winter of 1969, when a vicar opened the basement of his church in London's Soho as a temporary night shelter for the homeless, Centrepoint now supports young people in London, Yorkshire and the north east.  This year, we will be supporting the charity in an important phase of their development – the opening of their new hub to enable their expansion into Greater Manchester where youth homelessness is such a critical issue.