Unity Trust Bank has enhanced its reputation as the UK’s leading social impact bank by receiving an Investment Grade credit rating from Fitch Ratings, affirming its robust financial health and social purpose.
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The rating confirms Unity’s unique proposition as a financially strong, profit-making bank committed to social impact.
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With Fitch granting Unity an Investment Grade rating, the bank is now positioned to expand its services, support more customers, and reach a wider array of mission-driven organisations.
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Over 50% of Unity’s lending is directed to areas of high deprivation, and each loan is evaluated against the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This rating will help Unity extend its support to impactful projects throughout the UK.
Unity Trust Bank, which specialises in banking services for socially-minded and community-focused organisations, has been awarded a BBB- Investment Grade credit rating by Fitch Ratings — a significant milestone in the bank’s 40-year history.
Fitch assessed Unity highly across core financial categories, awarding an unadjusted AA score for funding and liquidity, capital strength, leverage, and profitability. These scores offer independent reassurance of Unity’s financial resilience — while reinforcing its position as a bank where customers’ funds actively support positive social change.
This is delivered as core to Unity’s Double Bottom Line of delivering strong financial performance whilst creating measurable social impact across UK communities.
The rating is an endorsement of the bank’s disciplined growth, robust governance and sustainable financial performance, coming just 10 years after the bank formally separated from the Co-operative Bank. It places Unity alongside top UK financial institutions and world-renowned high street banks within this tier of rating.
Demand for Unity’s services have never been higher, with the bank now serving over 10,900 customers and having over £1.8 billion in customer deposits. Supporting over 700 organisations with loans, over half of its lending going to areas of high deprivation, supporting local government, social housing, community health and social care services, and education.
Achieving an investment grade rating represents a key milestone in the bank’s growth strategy, enhancing its ability to scale impact-driven initiatives across the UK. This includes supporting the decarbonisation of challenging sectors and contributing to more inclusive economic growth, in line with the bank’s mission.
Colin Fyfe, Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is more than a financial milestone. It’s a moment of validation for everything Unity stands for — safe, stable, values-driven banking that puts people and planet alongside profit.
“For 40 years we have been banking organisations that deliver tangible social impact. Demand for our services has never been higher and now, we’re better placed than ever to grow our impact, scale our support to communities, and attract depositors who want their money to do good.”
Stephen Muers, Chief Executive at Better Society Capital commented: “We’re proud to be a long-term shareholder in Unity Trust Bank. It’s great to see Unity continue to grow while strengthening its focus on impact practice. This credit rating recognition reflects not only Unity’s strong performance but also serves as another illustration of the growth and development we’re seeing across the impact investment sector.”
To find out more about how Unity Trust Bank supports organisations whilst driving measurable social impact across UK communities, head to www.unity.co.uk
