About us

The Castle Community Bank Story

Who are we?

We’re a credit union dedicated to bringing people an alternative home for their savings and loans.

Where it all started

Castle Community Bank was formed late in 2015 following the merger of two long established credit unions: Castle and North Edinburgh, along with the members of the Water of Leith Credit Union Study Group. The study group was set up with the aim of establishing a Credit Union in Leith.

Things work a little differently at Castle Community Bank. We don’t have mysterious shareholders. Instead, we’re owned and run by our members, creating a shared financial community across the UK, which is accessible to everyone.

Community

Community is something we strongly believe in; banking doesn’t have to be done with a massive corporation. Instead, we take away the barriers. We’re bringing the focus back to helping people, so we strive to be accessible, applicable and affordable for all of our customers. You are the reason we exist.

We have a range of saving and loan options available depending on what you need, and unlike many credit unions, you don’t have to save first to apply for a loan.

Our Focus

Accessible

We have to be accessible to people in a way that suits them; be it 24/7 online, face to face in branch or during the day over the phone.

Affordable

Core to our ethos is lending at fair, affordable rates and doing so responsibly.

Applicable

We have to offer a range of prodcuts to suit our member’s needs. Whether it’s an emergency loan to fix a broken washing machine, a fixed rate savings account for those who are looking for more for their money, or a loan for £7,000 for a new kitchen. Whatever it is everything we offer is simple no-nonsense.

Ethical Banking

Maintaining this focus will ensure that Castle Community Bank is a financially strong and sustainable organisation – making a difference by delivering economic and social benefits to people who live or work within the ‘EH’ postcode area. We want to promote financial inclusion and end financial exploitation.

The Team at Castle Community Bank

At Castle Community Bank, our team are always here to ensure you receive friendly and professional service.

Whether you are you looking to start saving, investing money for the long term in our fixed accounts or looking to borrow money, Castle Community Bank is well placed to help you.

Stephen Pearson

Chairman

Stephen is an experienced non-executive director and during his career has gained considerable insight into Retail Banking and the not for profit sectors alongside his legal experience.

Formerly a  lawyer from the City of London, Stephen has led legal teams within  both the RBS Group and Virgin Money where he was General Counsel.  Having retired from banking in 2019, he is now a Fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute and sits on its board. 

A long-time advocate for financial inclusion, Stephen sits on the Advisory Board of Salary Finance, the payroll loan and financial wellbeing provider.  He has also recently been appointed Chair of Financial Inclusion Scotland, a collective hosted by Social Investment Scotland set up to tackle financial exclusion.  Additionally Stephen  is Chair of well-respected charity Leuchie House, which is Scotland’s National Respite Centre for people with neurological conditions. 

Adrian Sargent

Chief Executive Officer & Board Member

Adrian has a career in banking spanning over 20 years in senior roles at a number of financial services companies (Morgan Stanley, HBOS, Tesco Bank, BlackRock, Virgin Money).

He has extensive experience in building, developing and managing banking teams, problem solving and aligning to regulatory requirements.

He has a passion for all related items to the Environment, Social and Governance maters and alongside his role at Castle actively promotes and contributes to developing a sustainable economy. Adrian is a chartered accountant and Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers.

Douglas Reid

Board Member

Douglas came to live in Edinburgh from the Highlands when studying law at the University of Edinburgh.

He has advised individuals, companies, families and businesses throughout his career on common sense solutions, as well as negotiating the legal landscape.

As well as being a busy husband and father, Douglas also serves as a Charity trustee. In the unlikely event of having any free time, Douglas likes to get some sleep.

Kevin Mountford

Board Member

Over the last 30 years Kevin has operated in a range of Snr Management & Exec roles and he has been employed by a number of large UK brands including Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Birmingham Midshires, where he was Head of Sales and Marketing for their Savings business.

Early days were focused on Business Banking in 2001 he was appointed as ‘Head of Affinities’ for HBOS, responsible for a broad range of 3rd party relationships, providing credit cards, loans and savings products to the likes of AA, Aviva, Sony, British Gas. In total managed a portfolio of 70 brands with a team of 50 and held Directorships in a couple of JV’s and was responsible for a multi-million pound P&L. More recently he went on to join moneysupermarket.com as channel ‘Head’ running a number of their ‘Money’ business areas including Cards, Mortgages and Savings. During his time with ms.com, Kevin has established himself as a recognised and respected industry spokesperson, promoting ms.com via the media including press, radio and TV.

In Jan 2011 Kevin took the reins at a start-up consultancy & marketing business; Plan B Funding specialised in assisting banks to raise retail deposits in the UK and wider Euro market. Not only did Kevin assist in raising investment capital but steered the company towards several early successes working with the likes of United National Bank and State Bank of India.

Since then Kevin led negotiations with Raisin GmbH and a deal was announced Sept 2017. PBF is now part of one of Europe’s leading Fintech businesses. He also has a couple of NED roles with North West based businesses: Mutual Vision Ltd & Collctiv, plus is an Advisory Board member of FinTech North.

Mary Jane Brouwers

Board Member

Mary Jane has held a number of non-executive director roles over the last 20 years.

She is currently a non-executive director of GU Holdings Limited and a trustee of Museums Galleries Scotland, where she chairs the Audit and Risk Committee. Mary Jane has been working in early-stage equity investments since joining Bank of Scotland in 1997 and has subsequently worked with a range of different investors including SIS Ventures (Scotland’s leading impact investor) , Archangel Investors Limited (a prominent business angel group, and the Scottish Investment Bank.

Mary Jane is a member of Changing the Chemistry and an active contributor to the work of Women’s Enterprise Scotland. She is also a Member of the Institute of Directors and an ACMA, CGMA qualified accountant.

John Grierson

Chief Risk Officer

John is a senior risk professional with extensive banking experience in change and operational risk management.

He has proven relationship management skills, communication and coaching ability built through various roles in RBS, Tesco Bank and Virgin Money.

Margaret Strachan

Chief Operating Officer

A banker by profession, Margaret has over 20 years’ experience working in the financial sector latterly holding a senior post with Lloyds Banking Group. Margaret brings to Castle Community Bank a wide range of financial skills and customer experience.

Being committed to customer service Margaret strives to deliver the best options for her customers.

Rob Carmichael

Director of Business Development

Rob is an experienced corporate banker, having spent over 30 years in the industry. He has worked across a range of sectors and geographies, managing teams and supporting clients in the UK, Europe and Asia.

Rob has a strong focus on client service and enhancing the customer experience.

With extensive knowledge of organisational change and project management Rob is passionate in delivering a best in class service for his customers in a rapidly changing environment.

Robbie Denoon

Chief of Staff

Robbie has over 15 years’ experience in Financial Services mainly covering Retail banking and general insurance.

As a trained economist he spent the early part of his career advising on consumer trends and the housing market.

With a breadth of experience gained from working in strategy, commercial and communications teams, he has designed and led a range of transformation programmes to deliver new technology, ways of working and enhanced customer experiences.

Social Impact Report 2023

Discover our annual report highlighting our activities and outcomes in supporting our communities.

Annual General Meeting 2024

Thursday 21st March 2024 – 3.00pm

On behalf of the Board of Directors, CCB Members are invited to attend the AGM. This meeting will be held online using Microsoft Teams. To obtain your online invitation with meeting links, please respond by email to info@castlecommunitybank.co.uk, to confirm your attendance.

Should you be unable to attend, a Proxy voting form is available below. Please ensure if you wish to vote without attending, this is completed and returned before Friday 15th March 2024 at 5pm.

Copies of the signed accounts to 30th September 2023, and any other papers for the AGM, will also be available below for you to review before the meeting. I look forward to welcoming you to this meeting and introducing you to the staff and Directors.

Got a question for our team?