Responsible Finance has appointed Paul Kalinauckas as its new Chair. Kalinauckas, 64, is Chief Executive of Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business Loans, a responsible finance provider which he co-founded in 2002 after a career leading and launching a… Continue reading
Category: News
£19m jump in responsible finance lending to financially-excluded individuals, businesses and social enterprises
The UK’s ethical “responsible finance” sector grew by 8% (£19 million) in 2018, according to new figures published today. Responsible finance providers helped tens of thousands of financially vulnerable people to avoid borrowing from high-interest lenders.… Continue reading
Key Scottish influencers meet to discuss targeted approaches to financial exclusion in Scotland
Responsible Finance, Carnegie UK Trust and Scotcash are bringing together a high-level group of influencers on 11th December at the Scottish Parliament to discuss ‘tackling financial exclusion in Scotland – what more can be done?’. The… Continue reading
Finalists revealed in UK’s most exciting and generous awards for micro and social entrepreneurs
07.12.2018 An organic beeswax alternative to single-use plastic, a thriving city centre village of enterprises created from upcycled shipping containers and a glamping site where people can relax in a Mongolian-style yurt are three of the… Continue reading
European-wide collaboration and partnership announced
New mandate for cross-European collaboration agreed 04 December 2018 Organisations representing microfinance organisations sign partnership agreement The Microfinance Centre, a resource centre and network uniting 112 organisations across 36 countries of Europe, Central Asia and beyond,… Continue reading
Community Investment Coalition: Inclusive access to finance for enterprise
The UK is one of the most powerful financial centres in the world, yet financial exclusion remains a significant issue. Ethnic minority businesses are estimated to contribute £25 to £32 billion to the UK economy per… Continue reading
Budget 2018: Crucial investment is needed to support the responsible finance sector and the impact it has on local economic growth
The social and economic value that responsible finance providers generate is significant; for every £1 responsible finance providers lend, they generate £7 in economic value, says Responsible Finance. With Brexit on the doorstep, the future of the financial services industry… Continue reading
Rewarding good business and sustainable development: £80,000 available in microentrepreneurship awards
Microentrepreneurs in the UK can win “transformative” financial prizes in the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards, now open for applications. The UK’s most exciting awards for microentrepreneurs return to the UK to celebrate the impact and achievements of… Continue reading
BCRS Business Loans – Loan investment from Banks
About BCRS Business Loans (BCRS) is a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) based in Wolverhampton, lending to small businesses across the West Midlands. This case study focuses on how an investor can use Community Investment Tax… Continue reading
Should we accept open banking with open arms? Open banking and its potential for the responsible finance sector
‘Open banking’, which came into effect in January 2018, is a series of reforms which will change the way banks deal with consumers’ financial information. Called for by competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA),… Continue reading