Wales spotlight

As a specialist bank for socialenterprises, charities and trade unions,Unity Trust is uniquely placed to helpthe organisations working in thesesectors throughout Wales. There areover 30,000 voluntary sectororganisations who, together, make amajor contribution to economic, social,environmental and cultural life in Wales.

Once one of the most needy areas of theUK, Wales has transformed itseconomy. Inward investment hashelped heal many of the economic andsocial scars left by the decline of coal,metal and manufacturing industries.Wales has also attracted nearly 500international companies to its shores.

Cardiff has provided the main engine ofgrowth. Its economy and that of adjacentareas makes up nearly 20% of Welsh

GDP. A focus for regeneration, it was oneof the few cities outside of London wherepopulation grew during the 1990s.

However, there remains a prosperity gapbetween Wales and other UK regionsand a disparity within Wales itself. GrossValue Added (GVA) per head – a measureof national wealth – is 77% of the UKaverage. And although the south east -centred on Cardiff and Newport – iscomparatively prosperous, other areasare less well off.

This is why a vibrant voluntary sector is vital. In this edition of Spotlight onWales, we show how Unity has workedwith the charity and voluntary sector tohelp organisations finance developmentprojects and take care of their day-to-day banking - freeing up their time toconcentrate on what they do best.

A growing economy with an international dimension

Sourceswww.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/05/08/wales-struggling-to-close-wealth-gap-91466-20880515/www.cf.ac.uk/carbs/research/groups/weru/economy.htmlwww.wcva.org.uk/main/dsp_home.cfmwww.ibwales.com/server.php?show=nav.4297http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff

Millenium stadium, Cardiff situatedon the banks of the River Taff

� Personal service

� Tailored, flexible banking

� Value for money

� Respected within the sector

� Safe and secure

� Socially responsible

� Understanding the needs of social economy organisations

� Convenient banking whenand where you need it

One-stop shop witheverything from day-to-daybanking to specialistfinancial services

�

� Social values andcommunity spirit

Why do customers move to Unity?

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0845 140 1000

or visit www.unity.co.uk

Jon FieldUnity Trust Bank plcPO Box 401, Cardiff, CF11 1LET: 02920 644 422M: 07885 843 682E: jon.field@unity.co.uk

Open for BusinessMany UK banks have suffered as a result ofthe global financial crisis and many arechoosing to retrench and shed jobs. The very opposite is true of Unity and we are “very much open for business”. Far fromretrenching, we continue to grow our business,our customer base and our workforce.

We have never traded in sub-primeinvestments because to have done so wouldhave been against both our corporate andsocial responsibility policies.

So, whilst other banks have been focusing onthe harmful consequences of their investmentdecisions, we have been focusing on the day-

to-day issues affecting our customers andimproving the range of services we provide tothe sector. Amongst the services we offer are:

Day-to-day bankingAs a customer you will be able to operateyour bank account via the internet, over thephone, by post, at the Post Office, or bynominating a local high street bankconvenient to you. The choice is yours.

Loan financeIn addition to the complete range of ‘traditional’banking services, we also provide a range offlexible funding products which have beendesigned specifically for the sectors in which

we operate. These include: PropertyDevelopment funding, Fundraising Bridgingloans, Social Mortgages, Rent to Buyschemes and Grant Bridging overdrafts.

e-PaymentNo forms to complete or postage to pay, thee-Payment service provides a range of time-saving, cost effective BACS options. Theservice allows you to make and receiveregular payments and collect membershipsubscriptions. This simple to use productdelivers services direct to your desktopwithout the need for complex softwareinstallations, and is available 24/7.

UTB262September 2009

Registered office: Nine Brindleyplace,Birmingham B1 2HB.

Authorised and regulated by the FSA. Registered in England and Wales no. 1713124.

Rhyl Youth Action Group (RYAG) moved toUnity after a proposed loan from its highstreet bank came with too many stringsattached. “At Unity, they understand theneeds of organisations like ours,” saysShane Owen, the group’s project manager.“The service we enjoy is a world apart fromthat provided by our previous bank.”

With Unity, RYAG was able to secure a£20,000 grant bridging facility to see themthrough delays in obtaining funding andtowards the second phase of an ambitious

development project. The group is turning aderelict 250 year-old building into a brandnew ‘one-stop shop’ for young peoplebranded as The Hub.

This new building will provide uniquefacilities ranging from a basic skills trainingcentre to suppor ted accommodation for young homeless people engaged intraining. “The Hub pulls together under oneroo f d i f f e ren t communi ty g roups ,organisations and initiatives working inRhyl,” Shane explains.

Opening the first phase of The Hub in July2009, First Minister for Wales, Rt. HonRhodri Morgan AM, commented: “Thecombination of housing, training and otherservices at the Hub will make it a centralfocus for regeneration in Rhyl and is areflection of what can be achieved when anumber of partners work together towards ashared goal.”

Since RYAG moved to Unity, Shane has beenimpressed with the level of service theorganisation has enjoyed. “Flexibility is key,” hesays. “At Unity, they understand our businessmodel and that we rely on volunteers. Our oldbank just couldn’t get their heads around that.The service we enjoy now is 100%. BecauseUnity’s understanding of the voluntary sector isso much better, we’ve already recommendedthem to a lot of other voluntary organisations.”

RYAG’s projects lead the way in providingfacilities, training, services and activities toyoung people in this deprived area. Just oneexample is the Youth Bank, a grant-makingprogramme managed by young people foryoung people. Backed by Welsh AssemblyGovernment funding, it’s the first Youth Bankin Wales and enables youth groups to getfunding for small-scale environmental andcommunity activities.

Crucially, The Hub will give RYAG financialsustainability by allowing it to generate itsown income for projects by renting out spacein the building. “The Hub will mean we don’thave to rely on grants,” Shane explains.“Within the next three years we should beable to generate enough income to pay forour seven staff and cover building costs suchas heating and lighting.”

Rhyl Youth Action Group

Rt. Hon Rhodri Morgan AM, onone of his first visits to RYAG

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