Jon Field of Unity Trust Bank talks to City Life about his life and work in Cardiff and why customers of Unity aren’t affected by recent events in the financial markets.

THE LAST WORD

Jon, please tell us about yourself.
I’m 34 years old and have worked in the banking and finance industry for seventeen years, previously working for Barclays Bank in their Commercial Banking sector. I’m currently a Development Manager for Unity Trust Bank working with charity and social economy sector organisations.

Who are Unity Trust Bank?
Unity Trust Bank was established in 1984 as a socially responsible bank for the social economy sector such as charities, voluntary organisations, credit unions, social enterprises and trade unions. We provide a full range of banking services including internet banking and commercial loan finance.

What attracted you to Unity?
I was drawn to Unity because of its commitment to customer service and corporate social responsibility. I’m very much a ‘people’ person so I fit in well with a bank that puts relationships at the top of its agenda.

What do you most like about living in Cardiff?
It has to be the City’s wide range of facilities. I really feel there is something for everyone in Cardiff from shopping to eating out and playing sport and its close to the coast and the Vale of Glamorgan.

What is your favourite restaurant?
This is a difficult question as there are so many I like in Cardiff, however I really like Cibo in Pontcanna, it serves great quality Italian food and is situated in a really lovely part of the city.

Favourite meal?
My mum’s Sunday roast with all the trimmings!

Best view in Cardiff?
Cardiff Castle at sunset.

What do you do to relax?
I like to spend time with family and friends. I also thoroughly enjoy going to the theatre and when the weather permits I like to spend a bit of time relaxing in my garden.

If you weren’t a Bank Manager, what job would you be doing?
I would have trained to be a commercial pilot. It’s been a lifelong ambition of mine but I’ve reached the conclusion that I’m too old to start now.

My ideal night out would be?
With close friends at a nice restaurant in Cardiff Bay.

In moments of weakness I...
Promise myself I’ll never spend so much money on holidays and nice things... however I haven’t managed this well so far!

If someone summed you up in three words?
Reliable, loyal, diligent.

What gadget would you not be without and why?
My internet connection. Working from home, this keeps me in touch with my customers and the bank. My Blackberry is also something that I really couldn’t do without.

The best age to be is...
Now, live for the moment.

Following recent events in the financial industry, can you reassure both customers and potential customers about the safety and security of their deposits?
Unity has a very strong liquidity position, and therefore does not need to borrow money from the inter-bank markets or from any other organisation to fund its day to day activities. It is not impacted by the current difficulties that some banks are facing from the lack of liquidity in this market.

How does Unity fund its banking business?
Unity funds its banking business entirely from shareholder capital and customers deposits. Our shareholders - Trades Unions and the Co-operative Bank are long term investors, having owned the bank since formation.

Many of our sharelders are also customers and the comfort and stability provided by owning and controlling the bank means that we do not have a volatile deposit base. This is reflected by the fact that many third sector organisations have chosen Unity as a socially responsible bank, exercising good stewardship of their funds.

There has been a lot of publicity about sub-prime investments, is Unity involved in this market.
Unity has never traded in sub-prime investments or the complex financial instruments that have resulted in difficulties for many organisations. Indeed, this is outside of both our corporate and social responsibility policies. As such, we have been unaffected by events in these markets.

Is Unity subject to the same regulatory regime as other banks?
Unity has a full banking licence, is regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of the British Bankers Association.

Our business is conducted according to regulatory codes and subject to due supervision. Our eligible depositors are fully covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme - www.fscs.org.uk Jon Field can be contacted on 07885 843682 or email jon.field@unity.co.uk

Unity Trust Bank plc PO Box 401 Cardiff CF11 1LE 029 2064 4422 www.unity.co.uk