Introduction to Ethical Finance for SMEs

Stephen ClarkeFounding Director Bristol Pound CIC

Today’s talk• Why bother about ethical finance?• Some basics about the Bristol

Pound and Prospects• How we are doing after 3 years• Plans for 2016 and beyond

Why should you bother becoming involved?• support independent traders-

encourage diversity and stop clones

• strengthen local community-local economic multiplier

• encourage sustainable local

economy-shortening supply chains and saving carbon

• Make money!

How can you benefit as a company?• New business links and networks; more sales!• Business to Business meetings and brokerage• Staff involved and committed• Zero-interest loans (in Prospects)• And all not-for-profit…

What’s the point?

Some basics about the Bristol Pound scheme…

• notes-design competition• mobile phone text payment system• City-wide scheme• partnership with Bristol Credit Union• Bank of England and FSA ‘approved’

Some more basics about the scheme…• simple phone text system • Secure and risk-free– Bank Guarantee Scheme for digital accounts– anti-forgery devices– trust account for sterling

• non-profit making community company (morphing into a Co-op)

How are we doing?FoodTransportTaxEnergy

Some basics about Bristol Prospects

• Bristol Prospects-mutual credit circle for SMEs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAysddovDrU

What we can achieve togetherDemonstrate the possibility of radical change to the finance system

Promote values that underpin a fairer and sustainable economy

Bring people together and empower them to act in their own communities

Thanks for listening

Questions?