Knowledge Hub

  • The calm before the storm?

    Topics: Banking and financial services / Charity finance policy / Economy and policy / Funding / Governance, legal and compliance
    Posted by: Isaac Bristol
    On: 16.06.2026

    We appear to be at yet another political inflection point and it remains unclear what direction the country is heading in. Even so, there are a few specific updates worth recapping.

    Time to read: 2 minutes
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  • Interview

    Calm, connected and compounding good: Meet Sophie Ward

    Topics: People and culture / Investment / Financial sustainability / Banking and financial services
    Written by: Emma Abbott
    On: 09.06.2026

    Ahead of CFG’s Annual Conference 2026, CFG’s Emma Abbott catches up with Sophie Ward from the event’s headline sponsors HSBC Private Bank about what this year’s conference theme, 'Empowering Change, Inspiring Progress', means to her and what charities can do to remain resilient and impactful.

    Time to read: 6 minutes
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  • Commercial Credit Data Sharing and the Bank Referral Scheme

    Topics: Banking and financial services / Charity finance policy / Economy and policy
    Posted by: CFG
    On: 02.06.2026

    HM Treasury has published its response to consultations on two parts of the UK's SME finance framework: Commercial Credit Data Sharing (CCDS) and the Bank Referral Scheme (BRS). Neither was designed with charities in mind, but both have implications for the sector.

    Time to read: 1 minutes
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  • FATCA and UK Charities – what you need to know

    Topics: Tax and VAT / Governance, legal and compliance / Banking and financial services
    Posted by: CFG
    On: 27.03.2026

    UK charities are generally exempt from reporting obligations under the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, thanks to their Deemed-Compliant Financial Institution status under the UK–US Intergovernmental Agreement. However, charities operating internationally should plan ahead, as foreign banks may be unfamiliar with UK charitable status and could apply withholding to US-sourced payments.

    Time to read: 4 minutes
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  • Guide

    Banking cash deposit limit guidance

    Topics: Banking and financial services
    Written by: Isaac Bristol
    On: 23.03.2026

    This short guide from CFG outlines the types of limits on cash deposits that charities may encounter, and what steps trustees or finance teams can take if they expect to deposit large amounts of cash.

    Time to read: 3 minutes
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  • Policy update: "there are weeks where decades happen"

    Topics: Economy and policy / Charity finance policy / Banking and financial services
    Posted by: Isaac Bristol
    On: 11.03.2026

    In the last policy update I remarked how the start of 2026 would likely be defined by uncertainty. Not a unique hypothesis, though one that has been proven intimidatingly correct so far.

    Time to read: 4 minutes
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  • Take part in CFG’s 2026 Charity Banking Survey

    Topics: Banking and financial services
    Written by: CFG
    On: 06.02.2026

    The 2026 Banking Survey is now live. Find out why your experiences matter and get involved in CFG's latest research on charity banking services. 

    Time to read: 1 minutes
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  • How to maximise returns on charity reserves without compromising access

    Topics: IT, technology and digital / Investment / Banking and financial services
    Posted by: Sarah Barker
    On: 04.02.2026

    For charities, financial reserves are essential. They provide stability, support future projects, and act as a buffer during uncertain times. But in a landscape of fluctuating interest rates and multiple savings options, how do you make the most of those reserves, without losing access when you need it?

    Time to read: 2 minutes
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  • Get Bank Fit in 2026!

    Topics: Risk / Banking and financial services
    Written by: Isaac Bristol
    On: 12.01.2026

    CFG is encouraging charities to get Bank Fit for 2026 by strengthening their banking foundations. Read on to find out more...

    Time to read: 1 minutes
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  • Ida's Intel: banking, investment and much more... (16 July 2025)

    Topics: Investment / Governance, legal and compliance / Funding / Financial sustainability / Banking and financial services
    Written by: Ida Karlsson
    On: 16.07.2025

    As Parliament winds down, Ida gets to work dissecting a flurry of government reports covering investment, innovation, banking, volunteering and more...

    Time to read: 3 minutes
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  • Small charities

    A small charity’s guide to social investment

    Topics: Investment / Funding / Banking and financial services
    Posted by: CFG
    On: 23.06.2025

    What is social investment and what are the key considerations when thinking about repayable finance? Read this handy guide from the team at Good Finance.

    Time to read: 3 minutes
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  • What’s safer than the bank?

    Topics: Risk / Financial sustainability / Banking and financial services
    Written by: Rachel Titchen
    On: 23.06.2025

    Is your bank the only place to hold cash? Rachel Titchen from Broadstone looks at how to use different cash vehicles and how they can reduce risk.

    Time to read: 5 minutes
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