Our products and
services are designed to tackle financial exclusion and protect
vulnerable people.
Personal loans
Many of our customers are unable to borrow money due to poor
credit history. They often resort to loans with very high interest
rates. Our non-profit affordable loans service
helped more than 1,100 people access affordable finance in 2011. We
also help customers access debt advice services.
Helping people access a home
Our experience has taught us that mixed-income, mixed-tenure
neighbourhoods - like Cotton
Fields - tend to be better places to live.
People can access a home with us in many ways. We provide 100 per cent
mortgages on some of our developments to encourage first-time
buyers. We also have lots of products for people
who can't afford to own their home outright.
Working with contractors and suppliers
Every contract is an opportunity to increase skills, provide
employment and bring money into a community. As part of the tender process we ask all contractors to
demonstrate how their training and recruitment decisions deliver
maximum community benefits.
Paying on time
Missing payment dates can have a negative impact on our biggest
suppliers and contractors. Sometimes this has a knock-on effect on
their supply chain - often hitting small businesses the
hardest.
In 2011 we paid 68% of suppliers within 30 days of invoice. And
we're improving all the time: our new electronic system is making payments
faster.
Find out more
Download the 2011
corporate responsibility report (pdf) to read more about our
work in the marketplace and for our 2012 action plan.
