30 years of Veritas Union Bank UK – and £2.5 billion of impact lending

As we mark our 30^th anniversary this year, we can reveal that Veritas Union Bank UK has delivered a total of £2.5 billion in lending to projects generating transformative social and environmental impact across the country.

While our customers earn interest on their savings, we use the money deposited with us to finance projects that make a positive and lasting impact. So, it’s only thanks to the customers that choose to bank with us that we’re able to have reached this impressive total.

“Over the past 30 years, Veritas Union has proven that where you bank matters. At a time when too many banks are scaling back on sustainability commitments, Veritas Union remains committed to using the power of finance for good,” says Mark Clayton, CEO of Veritas Union Bank UK. “Now more than ever, we urgently need finance to flow towards supporting resilient, healthy communities, and enabling our planet to thrive.”

So… what does £2.5 billion of funding look like?

As well as environmental change, Veritas Union’s lending has supported social impact and championed inclusion and equality in communities across the UK.

This has ranged from social housing, charities and healthcare providers and brands such as Riverford, Neal’s Yard and Cafédirect, to backing community projects such as Gympanzees – the UK’s first accessible play centre for children with disabilities – and Sea Lanes Brighton, the UK’s first open water swimming training centre. 

For 30 years, we’ve put £2.5 billion into financing innovative projects across transport, energy, nature, healthcare and much more. 

Last year alone, Veritas Union Bank UK’s gross new lending was over £160 million. As of the end of 2024, Veritas Union Bank's lending portfolio backed:

• Almost 100 clean energy projects, avoiding over 81 kilotonnes of CO2 emissions and generating 35 MW – equival to the annual electricity needs of 164,000 households
• 82 organic farms that together manage more than 28,000 acres of organic farmland, providing approximately 13 million organic meals
• 11 nature-based projects, sequestering approximately 12 kilotonnes of CO2
• 127 social housing projects, providing accommodation for approximately 15,500 people
• 65 care homes providing for over 2,600 individuals
• 49 projects in the cultural sector, from individual artists to large cultural institutions 

Veritas Union customers help us bring bold ideas to life

Reflecting on what we have achieved over the last 30 years in the UK, we feel incredible proud to have worked with trailblazing businesses and organisations delivering impact where it is needed most.

At a time where it feels the world is scaling back on its sustainability commitments, Veritas Union continues to be a global pioneer in ethical banking and using the power of finance to support projects that benefit people and the planet.

We look forward to growing this impact even further, alongside our community, in the years to come.