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Biography Of Banks

Biography of The Co-operative Bank
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Introduction
This case study is the result of a joint venture between The Co-operative Bank, the University of Lincoln, and an
independent Business Ethicist. The Management Case Study goes straight to the heart of topical interest in corporate
social responsibility (CSR) and what a socially responsible business might actually look like in practice.
You could say that there are many respects in which The Co-operative Bank is just like other banks. There
is one important difference; we are the only high street bank that gives our customers a say in how their
money is managed – most importantly, by encouraging their input into the ongoing development of our
Ethical Policy. We have found that a lot of interest has been shown in the bank’s story over the years and
have even found, to our surprise, that we were the subject of a question on an ‘A’ Level paper. So, we were
concerned that, when we were studied, it would be on the basis of the facts. Co-operating with the
production of this business case has given us the chance to tell our story properly, in a structured way, and
it has reminded us how different it really is to be The Co-operative Bank.
Simon Williams, Director of Corporate Affairs, The Co-operative Bank
The overall objectives of Biography of The Co-operative Bank are: to raise awareness of different structures, cultures
and philosophies in business along with taking a fresh look at the relationship businesses have with their stakeholders.
This case study is, therefore, not intended as a ‘how to do it’ exemplar which others should copy. Rather, the hope is
that it will raise the level of debate about CSR and socially responsible business, both generally and in the more specific
context of other businesses, and to enable each of you who engages with it to take from it something of value for your
own development.
The more specific learning outcomes for Biography of The Co-operative Bank are that,...