Paramount savings bank: Building an Inclusive Bank
At Paramount savings bank, we are dedicated to building a bank that reflects the diversity of modern Britain, embracing inclusivity for all our customers, communities, and colleagues.
Being by the side of all our customers means that we speak up and act when something causes harm and offence. We actively seek ways to be allies to our customers and colleagues.
We take strong action against discrimination and offensive behavior, regardless of its form—racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ageist, or ableist. Such actions may include referral to the police, removal from premises, call termination, or account closure.
We are committed to creating a safe environment for colleagues and customers, striving to do the right thing for the communities we serve.
Accessibility and Disability
If you need additional support and guidance, we've adapted our services to help with your needs, whether they are visible or non-visible.
If you need additional support and guidance, we've adapted our services to help with your needs, whether they are visible or non-visible.
- We were the first bank to launch the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard scheme UK wide across all our branches.
- We work with Digital Accessibility (DAC), to make sure our websites and Mobile Banking app are accessible for all.
- We were the first bank to offer British Sign Language Video Calling for Deaf customers. Allowing customers to talk to us live through a BSL interpreter online.
- Working with Signly we offer the British Sign Language (BSL) translation tool, allowing Deaf customers to read our webpages through qualified sign language translators.
- We give colleagues internal training to increase awareness of long-term health conditions and visible and non-visible disabilities.
Mental Health
Together with Mental Health UK, we are tackling stigma, raising awareness, and equipping customers and colleagues with tools to look after their mental health.
Together with Mental Health UK, we are tackling stigma, raising awareness, and equipping customers and colleagues with tools to look after their mental health, so they can live their best possible lives.
- Our independent charitable Foundations provide funding and support to small and local charities that are supporting people with mental health conditions, helping thousands of people to change their lives for the better.
- We have trained Mental Health Advocates across our branch network offering wellbeing support to other colleagues.
- We have partnered with the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute and have achieved the Essentials level in their Mental Health Accessible Programme. As a result, our colleagues are able to better understand and support customers with mental health conditions.
Race and Ethnicity
We aim to create a fully inclusive culture for all colleagues, customers, and communities.
We aim to create a fully inclusive culture for all colleagues, customers, and communities.
- We support Black-owned business through our partnership with Foundervine and the Black Business Network.
- Our independent charitable Foundations provide funding and support to many small and local charities who are led by and for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, helping people to break or prevent the cycle of disadvantage.
- We developed a Race Education Programme to help all colleagues hold brave conversations about race, promoting awareness, allyship, and action, with customers and colleagues. Our race and ethnicity colleague network REACH, creates a truly inclusive environment by giving professional development and support for colleagues from different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
We actively support and celebrate Pride season and decorate our branches to celebrate and support greater LGBT+ inclusion.
We actively support and celebrate Pride season and decorate our branches to celebrate and support greater LGBT+ inclusion.
- We actively raise awareness and encourage support for other key LGBT+ awareness days during the year, to create a welcoming environment for all our LGBT+ colleagues and ensure our allies are educated and visible in their support.
- We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for customers and colleagues, and the way in which they wish to express their gender identity.
- We give our branch colleagues the option to add their preferred pronoun to their name badge, as another way of helping everyone feel welcomed and valued for how they identify.
