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Conister’s Pledge: We’re Standing Up and Standing Fast
As another year is chalked off the calendar and the focus turns to 2022, the continuing Covid saga is hard to ignore.
For the IOM business sector, it could be a tricky year. Yet, despite any nervousness about where the economy is heading, staff at Conister, the Island’s community bank, are prepared for what lies ahead.
Douglas Grant, Conister Bank’s Managing Director, outlined in a wide-ranging interview that, whilst there are likely to be “headwinds and challenges” over the next 12 months – especially from inflation, interest rate increases and rising energy costs - being resolute should lead to a much brighter outlook for 2023 and beyond.
“UK inflation could go as high as 6%, which will also generate wage inflation,” he says. “But when overall inflation drops, there will be an element of permanent inflation, wage inflation, which is hard for employers but great for employees. At this point, there should be light at the end of the tunnel for consumers.
“Also, in the short term, our fixed-rate loans will help customers mitigate against any rate rises, which should certainly help. Once things improve, there’s always the opportunity to refinance if you want to,” says Douglas, who is also CEO of the bank’s listed holding company, Manx Financial Group PLC.
Conister sponsors Chris Boardman's ‘Active Travel’ Initiative on the Isle of Man
One of Britain’s best-known names in cycling, Chris Boardman MBE, is due to give a keynote speech on the Island in early November, to promote ‘Active Travel’ as the route to healthier and more productive lifestyles.
The event, sponsored by Conister Bank, entitled ‘Enabling Economic Opportunity Through Active Travel’, is aimed at key influencers in Government and the local business community to help create, as part of a long-term strategy, less reliance on cars in our daily lives.
The objective is to provide high-quality infrastructure, that enables people to use their cars less frequently for everyday journeys, by encouraging cycling to work or school and even going to the shops.
The free-to-attend breakfast event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2nd at the Claremont Hotel 8am – 9.45am.
Sustainability is a lifestyle at Conister Bank!
Conister Bank is leading from the front and intends to assist the Isle of Man, and the wider financial sector to be recognised as a business that properly mitigates and responds to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risks as we embrace opportunities that demonstrate that we are a sustainable and responsible business.
As part of our ESG initiative, Conister Bank has purchased 5 Electric Bikes available for staff to use to encourage active travel within our workforce. Transportation makes up the second-biggest source of greenhouse gases. As a responsible employer, we want to give our staff the opportunity to take part in active travel with an option to leave their cars at home and cycling to work, or simply use an E-bike to take a break throughout their busy day to enjoy the Manx scenery.
We have been working closely with Dot Performance who captured an early morning ride with our Head of Sales, Andy Bass as he led the way through the stunning Marine Drive.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for a cleaner life, and a cleaner Isle of Man
Conister was privileged to be asked to be a part of the ‘Time Enough Climate Change Solutions’ produced by Dave Armstrong and Isabella Hawke.
The Time Enough project aims to find local solutions to global problems and has created a platform to discuss climate change on a global scale, with an emphasis on what individuals can do to create a positive impact. The overall climate project is supported by the Time Enough film project that tracks the Ilse of Man's journey to a sustainable future.
Dave and Isabella met with Conister's Clara Isaac at the Royal Manx Agricultural Show. In this video, Clara talks about how she is making recycling easier for all Isle of Man residents so that we can all play our part in keeping things green and healthy through recycling! Recycling reduces our carbon footprint by eliminating plastics instead which would otherwise end up as litter on landfills or seashells breaking apart into microplastics when they hit ocean waves - real impacts right there but those aren't even half if you consider where these materials come from (which often includes mining). All that waste adds to warming greenhouse gases like methane trapping more heat radiation away from Earth than reflected back towards ourselves causing climate change.
Is the Two-Pillar Global Tax Reform a threat to zero-10?
James Smeed, Finance Director at Conister Bank, believes the Isle of Man must ensure it’s ready for the changes when the G20 countries finalise the details of proposed tax changes thrashed out at the G7 summit earlier this year.
In an interview with Business 365 James discusses his views as to whether the Two-Pillar Global Tax Reform a threat to zero-10 and if the Isle of Man needs to make sure it is best placed to withstand a wave of global tax reform that is inevitably coming.
Conister Bank as an independent institution that has adapted to many changes, both domestic and international, over the years. James talks about how it is in our interests, but also the Manx economy, to support a collaborative effort to see the Manx Government engage with counterparts to ensure the island’s economy remains strong and the Isle of Man continues to offer the perfect location for businesses of all sizes.
Conister Bank’s Response to the IoM Climate Change Plan 2022-27:
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The IOM Climate Change Plan 2022-27 provides a pragmatic framework for change and demonstrates a positive step in the right direction towards a sustainable future.
Conister Bank understands the importance of actively tackling climate change and fully supports the positive aims of the plan and the ‘Vision of 2050’. As one of the Islands' oldest banking institutions, we are leading from the front on sustainability. We see ourselves as sustainability leaders for the Isle of Man and the wider financial sector as a business that properly mitigates and responds to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk and embraces the opportunities that being a sustainable and responsible business offers.
Rivers Leasing secures £6.25 million growth finance package from Conister Bank
Rivers Finance Group PLC (‘Rivers’) has secured a funding package from Conister Bank, with the advisory support of LGB Capital Markets, to grow its established Rivers Leasing business and launch a new block discounting product in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Conister has also taken a minority equity position in Rivers.
Ratan Daryani, Chairman of Rivers Finance Group, said, “It is wonderful to be starting the post-lockdown year at a point where we can bring plans for the company’s growth and development to fruition, and, in particular, to be doing so with the support of those that we both respect and have longstanding relationships with.”
Douglas Grant, Managing Director of Conister Bank, said, "As the economy reopens following an unprecedented year of lockdowns, we are continuing to look for ways to support resilient SMEs which are able to adapt to the post-Covid-19 economy.
“Rivers has demonstrated its strong fundamentals during this period and provided much needed support to SMEs that have struggled as other lenders have withdrawn from providing finance. We are delighted to support Rivers in its growth plans with this funding facility which is in line with the Group’s strategy of lending to resilient market sectors in the UK."
Conister Bank's Clara Isaac is playing a huge part in turning our island Green
Conister Bank wants to make a difference – The momentum towards greater sustainability in the financial sector has grown significantly in recent years. It operates a business that acts responsibly, is sustainable and promotes sustainability in what it does.
This is not new; it is part of their vision, so much so, that they have formed a ‘Green Team’ to drive this incentive internally.
Managing Director, Douglas Grant comments “It is vital that, as a team, we come together and strive to cultivate a robust community that supports the Bank’s green initiatives.
Conister’s commitment to a greener future has inspired one of its staff members that she is launching a brand-new service to benefit the island.
Clara Isaac who is Head of Management Accounting was so encouraged by Conister’s green initiatives that she is setting up a recycling collection service to offer those people who live in areas where there are no kerbside collections the chance to still participate.
Conister Bank channelling ESG for a more sustainable future
Conister Bank has taken a further step along the path towards a more sustainable future.
Douglas Grant, Managing Director of Conister Bank is interviewed by IOM Portfolio to discuss the role that Conister intends to play within the Isle of Man in tackling climate change.
Conister’s ESG and Sustainability Plan have been finalised to ensure its key focus in sustainable business practices benefits its customers as they continue to grow their product offerings providing sustainable choices across the business.
Find out more as to how Douglas intends to operate a business that acts responsibly, is sustainable, and which promotes sustainability in what it does.
Meet the face behind recyclecollect.im
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Clara Isaac who is Head of Management Accounting was so encouraged by Conister’s green initiatives that she is setting up a recycling collection service to offer those people who live in areas where there are no kerbside collections the chance to still participate.
The concept is to encourage people to register their interest in taking part in doorstep collections and when enough people show interest in a particular area, then we will arrange the pick-up of their recycling.
Read all about Clara and why she is so passionate about recycling.
