Foundation

The Wessex Community Bank Foundation

Our savers already share in our success through dividends. The Foundation is how we share that success with the community.

What is the Foundation

It’s part of the bank, set up to do good locally. We use our surpluses (not outside shareholders or investors) to fund simple, practical help that makes a visible difference.

How your savings power it

When you save with us, you help us lend fairly, keep services strong, and fund the Foundation. Your money stays yours, and the impact lands here at home. The Foundation exists because our members exist.

The Four Aims

1. Save while you borrow

We build a savings amount into eligible loan repayments so borrowers save with every loan repayment they make. Why? Because it creates a habit that lasts, helps people rely less on debt in future, and leaves borrowers stronger at the end of the loan.

2. Quarterly grants for grassroots groups

Every quarter we award grants to local, volunteer-led groups. Our first grant went to SERV Wessex (Blood Bikes) in 2020, and since then, we’ve helped everything from litter pickers and youth support groups to local sports teams. It’s small boosts but with big results.

3. Fair access to credit

We offer loans to every kind of borrower but not everyone has access to fair, affordable credit. Therefore, we commit at least 25% of our assets to lending that supports people who might struggle to access high-street borrowing or be tempted by high-cost lenders. We do this responsibly, with clear affordability checks and fair pricing.

4. Ethical, purposeful social impact investments

We keep members’ deposits risk-free and safe with no market speculation, just secure, conservative management. Members’ deposits are invested ethically and purposefully to help local communities grow, support real-world community development and reinvest in other banks that meet our strict ethical standards.

Why it matters

This is local money doing local good. Together, we help people build resilience, keep community groups moving, and make fair finance normal.

How to get involved

Save with us to power the Foundation’s work.

Apply for a grant if you’re a grassroots group.

Open a fee-free group account if you’re running a club, team, or community project.

Talk to us if fair, affordable borrowing could help you move forward.