Most of the time I use the word Bank in the same vein as every other 4 letter word. Not because the people or the reason for banks is misguided, but because the processes and strategy are. Well, I am eating my words as CSR for banks has stepped it up as of late. The most notable in the good guy category is Royal Bank of Scotland. (With some partnering by NatWest). Yes, RBS!
From free cash points in areas of deprivation to innovative investment funds to regeneration projects, this bank "has it going on". It helps to have some leadership. I point to Andrew Robinson, Head of Community Development Banking for Natwest and RBS.
Take a look for yourself at some of the projects in this magazine (pdf file). Download Untoldbanking1.pdf (1553.8K)
I know many of you will say, "It’s about time" and that may be true. However, I think we need to encourage these actions (albeit not entirely altruistic).
Yes, this is a promo magazine put out by them, but it has some compelling reasons for why they may be leading in this category. (Excludes Co-op, Unity, etc. who focus full-time in this category). (Declaring an interest: they are "analyzing" our Harehills project, but have provided no offer to finance at this writing)
I am meeting with Unity this week, so I will give you a briefing on them and maybe do a compare and contrast. It may be good to understand why you might choose one or the other. I suspect it will not be easy decision as the private sector banks begin to put up some impressive initiatives.
Does it matter? Do you choose a bank for its community activism?
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