A Mission-Led Bank for the West of England: Gloucester

Join us in Gloucester to discuss the social, economic and environmental case for regional banks and the development of Avon Mutual, a co-operative bank dedicated to the West of England

Establishing regional banks was one of the key recommendations of the RSA’s recent Inclusive Growth Commission, which was designed to find practical ways to make local economies across the UK more economically inclusive and prosperous.

We are now supporting Avon Mutual (which covers Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol, Bath & North Somerset) as part of a wider movement led by the Community Savings Bank Association to develop a UK-wide network of customer-owned, regional banks. By pursuing a different business model these banks will bring a range of social and economic benefits to the region, including: 

• Tackling financial exclusion through providing universal access to banking facilities for all citizens

• Increasing productivity by investing in SMEs, with well informed decisions made by local branch managers

• Creating new local jobs with Head Offices based in the region rather than in London

Avon Mutual will be an ethical and sustainable alternative to the big banks and will support small local enterprises focussed on issues such as building zero carbon homes and developing sustainable food and farming for the bioregion.This will fill a gap in the UK investment landscape which is well served by community banks across Europe. 

This event is being held in partnership with GFirst LEP and will bring together key stakeholders in Gloucestershire who are interested in the development of a mission-led bank that will drive inclusive growth in the region.

GFirst LEP, University of Gloucestershire, Oxstalls Campus, Gloucester, GL2 9HW