Unity Trust Bank has increased its lending over the past year by 68 per cent, taking its total loans portfolio to a record £197m, according to its latest results.

Total deposits also grew by 8 per cent during 2009 to £551m, resulting in pre-tax profits of £6.5m, down slightly on 2008’s £7.04m.

Unity Trust Bank topped Civil Society’s Charity Banking Survey league table for the highest share of primary banking relationships for the third year running this year, with 19 per cent of respondents to the survey citing it as their main bank.  This enviable position within the sector was also underpinned by high customer satisfaction ratings across the board.

Announcing its results last month, Unity Trust said that it had escaped much of the turmoil that befell other banks by “remaining true to our socially focused business model”.

Chairman Graham Bennett said: “Our vision to be the bank of choice for civil society remains steadfast.”

President Dave Prentis added: “This year’s results are extremely gratifying taking into account the prevailing economic climate.”