Milestone for bank

Clifton ethical bank Triodos Bank has topped GBP100 million incurrent lending for the first time.

The bank lends only to organisations that benefit people and theenvironment, with customers locally ranging from St Peter's Hospiceto Easton vegetarian and organic restaurant Cafe Maitreya, whoseowner Rob Booth is pictured.

Triodos, which won the Queen's Award for Enterprise earlier in theyear, currently has about GBP180 million lodged with it by savers,lent to clients from organic farms and fairtrade shops to renewableenergy projects.

This milestone comes as the bank prepares to celebrate a decade oftrading in the UK.

Gavin Smith, head of business banking at Triodos Bank, said: "Theyear 2005 will mark our 10th birthday and what better way to start itthan with GBP100 million working to deliver genuine change across thecountry.

"It's enormously satisfying to know that so much money is workingin such a positive way, and that it's all made possible by thousandsof people who want their savings to support genuine change."

Triodos Bank arrived in the UK in 1995 when it merged with Sussexethical bank Mercury Provident.

Then its total lending came to under GBP5 million.

Now, says Mr Smith, the company is looking forward to a record-breaking year in 2005.

He said: "With savers who care about the impact of their money,and the success of an increasing number of well-run, progressiveenterprises that deliver more than just profit, we're optimisticabout another record-breaking year in 2005."

In its first-half results, reported in September, the bank saidlending in the first six months of the year had risen by 14 per centto GBP86.7 million, with profits rising to GBP0.43 million.

At the time it said it was on track to reach GBP100 million oflending by the end of the year in the UK, a target it has nowachieved.