Banking on a change of financial direction

摘要

Supported by local authorities, housing associations, high street banks, the Housing Corporation and others, not-for-profit community banks have lent more than ￡1m between them since June 2000 when Portsmouth was the first to open its doors. Loans range from ￡40 for a pair of children's shoes to ￡5,000 to set up a catering business. More than 1,500 personal loans have been made at an average of ￡527. A total of 112 new jobs has been created and 80 existing jobs safeguarded through 93 business loans averaging ￡2,787.