The Government has launched an initiative looking into the design and functions of a Social Investment Wholesale Bank.


The political landscape has changed markedly over the past year. The country has a new Prime Minister and Chancellor. Gordon Brown has formed a government determined to tackle head on the challenges that lie ahead: helping the poor; tackling climate change; and providing a strong response to economic turmoil. These are the main priorities for the Labour Government. Alastair Darling’s first Budget as Chancellor dealt well with the tight financial situation that governments around the world ...

TRIODOS, the ethical bank that supports the Fairtrade and social sectors, has reported a profit increase of 46 per cent to £ 3.6 million – the best results in its 25-year history. The bank also posted a growth in returns of 41 per cent for shareholders and a 25 per cent increase in funds to £ 1.6 billion. In the UK, the bank has over 20,000 personal and business customers. The deposits from savers are up 17 per cent or £ 33m, while loans are up 14 per cent to £ 115m. Triodos ...

MONEY invested ethically broke the £ 10 billion barrier for the first time last year according to figures published by Co-operative Financial Services. A total of £ 10.6 billion was placed in ethical investments or deposited with ethical banks in 2004, up 18 per cent from the previous year. £ 5.5 billion was invested in ethically screened funds, whilst a further £ 5.1 billion was deposited in ethical banks and credit unions.