#multibank — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

El Mundo @[email protected] · 2026-03-23 · 17:14 UTC

BAC concreta compra de Multibank y fortalece su posición en Panamá

BAC concreta compra de Multibank y fortalece su posición en Panamá
San José, 23 mar (elmundo.cr) – BAC anuncia la culminación exitosa del proceso de compra mayoritaria de acciones de Multi Financial Group (MFG), propietario del 100% de Multibank y sus subsidiarias. Con la transferencia efectiva de las acciones, BAC se convierte en accionista controlador de MFG y, [...]

#BAC #EconomíaYNegocios #Multibank

https://elmundo.cr/economia-y-negocios/bac-concreta-compra-de-multibank-y-fortalece-su-posicion-en-panama/

#bac #economiaynegocios #multibank

UK @[email protected] · 2026-02-06 · 20:56 UTC

https://www.europesays.com/uk/747017/ Bank of England boss meets Swansea charity fighting child poverty: ‘Economic decisions must hear real families’ #AndrewBailey #BankOfEngland #BankOfEnglandGovernor #Britain #Charity #CherrieBija #CwtchMawr #CwtchMawrMultibank #England #FaithInFamilies #GreatBritain #Multibank #Swansea #UK #UnitedKingdom

#unitedkingdom #uk #swansea #multibank #greatbritain #faithinfamilies

Editor @[email protected] · 2026-02-06 · 20:00 UTC

Bank of England boss meets Swansea charity fighting child poverty: ‘Economic decisions must hear real families’

Andrew Bailey visited Faith in Families’ Cwtch Mawr Multibank in the city, meeting CEO Cherrie Bija and hearing how rising costs, interest rates and financial pressure are hitting children long before the impact shows up in official statistics.

The visit brought one of the UK’s most powerful economic figures into the heart of a charity that works daily with families struggling to afford the basics.

Staff show Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey how donated toys, clothing and essentials are organised and distributed through the Cwtch Mawr Multibank. (Image: Faith in Families)

‘Child poverty is everyone’s business’

Cherrie Bija said the meeting was a chance to put the lived experience of Swansea families directly into national economic conversations.

“Child poverty is everyone’s business,” she said. “We have a responsibility to advocate for those who are most vulnerable in our society, especially children, and to make sure their voices are heard at every level.”

Faith in Families supports children facing poverty, trauma and crisis across Swansea Bay, providing everything from emotional support to essential items through its multibank model.

Staff told the Governor how financial strain shows up in children’s lives — in stress, mental health, relationships and a sense of safety — long before it appears in spreadsheets or economic forecasts.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey visits the Cwtch Mawr Multibank in Swansea, speaking with staff about how rising costs are affecting families supported by the project. (Image: Faith in Families)

Interest rates hitting families hardest

The charity highlighted how interest rates shape everyday life: the cost of mortgages and rent, food and energy bills, and whether families feel able to cope or are pushed closer to crisis.

Households already under pressure feel the impact first, they said — and children often carry the consequences.

Bailey’s visit was described as an important moment, bringing frontline experience into discussions usually dominated by markets and monetary policy.

What is Cwtch Mawr Multibank?

Cwtch Mawr is Wales’s first multibank, redistributing surplus goods from businesses to families through trusted frontline organisations. The model aims to support families with dignity while reducing waste and strengthening community‑led responses to poverty.

Faith in Families says it will continue to “stand alongside children and families, advocating boldly for fairness, dignity and the best possible start in life”.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Cwtch Mawr Multibank begins pilot expansion into Neath Port Talbot
How Swansea’s multibank model is being tested in Neath Port Talbot to reach more families in need.

Virgin Media O2 donates hundreds of smartphones and free data to Swansea’s Cwtch Mawr Multibank
Donation of devices and data helping families stay connected and access vital services through Cwtch Mawr.

Swansea charity calls on businesses to donate excess stock after Budget VAT rule change
Faith in Families urges firms to use new VAT rules to divert surplus goods to struggling households.

Amazon and major brands donate 200,000 hygiene essentials to Swansea Multibank
Major brands back the multibank with a huge hygiene donation for families across Swansea Bay.

#AndrewBailey #BankOfEngland #BankOfEnglandGovernor #Charity #CherrieBija #CwtchMawr #CwtchMawrMultibank #FaithInFamilies #Multibank #Swansea

#andrewbailey #bankofengland #bankofenglandgovernor #charity #cherriebija #cwtchmawr

Editor @[email protected] · 2026-01-14 · 13:09 UTC

Cwtch Mawr multibank begins pilot expansion into Neath Port Talbot

Faith in Families says the expansion marks a significant step for the Swansea‑based project, which has been battling rising need by redistributing new, surplus goods from businesses to families struggling to afford the basics. The charity says it is now moving at speed to support more households across the county.

Five hubs have been chosen for the rollout — in Port Talbot, the Afan Valley, Neath, the Dulais Valley and Pontardawe. Faith in Families says each hub will receive clothing, toiletries, nappies and household essentials, ready to be passed on through trusted local organisations.

The charity says its vans are already being loaded, with deliveries expected to begin as soon as each hub gives the green light.

A rapid response to rising need

Faith in Families says the pilot will test how fast large volumes of essential goods can be moved across a wider area while keeping support rooted in local communities. The charity says the work forms part of a wider partnership known as NPT United, bringing together public services, charities and businesses to support families under pressure.

Jon Waite, Facilities and Development Manager at Faith in Families, said:

“This pilot is about working at pace while keeping things local and practical. We know there is real need across Neath Port Talbot, and by working with established community hubs we can get essential items to families quickly, through people they already know and trust. This trial will help us understand what works best on the ground and how we can build strong, joined‑up approaches going forward.”

Expanding a model built on speed and dignity

Faith in Families says the multibank model is designed to get essential goods to families without delay, paperwork or stigma. The charity says working through schools, community groups and frontline services ensures support reaches people through organisations they already trust.

Faith in Families says the Neath Port Talbot pilot will help shape how the model can be expanded further across Wales, with the aim of making sure no family goes without the basics.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New and expanded Cwtch Mawr Multibank opens in Swansea
A major expansion of the Swansea hub, boosting capacity to support families across the region.

Local multibank helping over 120,000 people each year gets £30K cash boost
Funding support to help the multibank meet rising demand for essential goods.

New charity initiative already supporting thousands
Early coverage of the multibank model as it began delivering essentials to families in need.

Virgin Media O2 donates hundreds of smartphones and free data to Swansea’s Cwtch Mawr Multibank
A major tech donation helping families stay connected during rising cost pressures.

#AfanValley #clothing #costOfLiving #CwtchMawr #DulaisValley #FaithInFamilies #householdItems #Multibank #Neath #NeathPortTalbot #PortTalbot #surplusStock #toiletries

#afanvalley #clothing #costofliving #cwtchmawr #dulaisvalley #faithinfamilies

Editor @[email protected] · 2025-12-15 · 15:41 UTC

Swansea Bay Business Club smashes £40k charity target for Faith in Families

Epic fundraising challenges

Over the past two years, members of Swansea Bay Business Club have walked the Welsh Three Peaks twice, run the Swansea Half Marathon, cycled 400 miles from Fishguard to London, trekked from Swansea Pier to Port Talbot Pier, and joined the CarTen ride from Cardiff to Tenby. Add in an art auction and a string of fundraising lunches, and the total soared past £50,000.

Generous match funding from Howden, Lloyds Bank and Lloyd & Whyte doubled the impact of key events, turning every pound raised into vital support for families across Swansea Bay.

“Families who felt unseen have found confidence”

Faith in Families CEO Cherrie Bija said the partnership has been life‑changing:

“This partnership has shown exactly what can happen when a business community chooses to stand with children who need support the most. Families who felt overwhelmed have found stability. Children who felt unseen have found confidence and connection.”

She added:

“The need in Swansea Bay is rising, and partnerships like this are vital. We cannot thank Swansea Bay Business Club enough for their commitment.”

Business leaders step up

Behind the fundraising drive was Club President Amy Seppman, Marketing Director at JCP Solicitors.

“Choosing Faith in Families was one of the easiest decisions I ever made,” she said. “The stories I heard and the impact I saw reinforced to me why community matters.

“Our members rose to every challenge with generosity and spirit. This partnership has shown that when we support local families, we strengthen the whole region.”

Where the money goes

The £54,640 raised will fund Faith in Families’ Community Cwtches and Multibank, providing hot meals, parent and toddler groups, therapies, and essentials like warm clothes, school uniforms and bedding. It will also support the Brighter Futures Project, offering one‑to‑one interventions for children coping with trauma and strong emotions.

Call for more businesses to join in

Faith in Families is now urging other companies to carry the momentum forward into 2026 and beyond, through employee fundraising, volunteering, sponsorships and CSR partnerships.

“When businesses back their community, they transform it,” said Cherrie Bija.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New and expanded Cwtch Mawr Multibank opens in Swansea
Faith in Families launches a bigger warehouse hub in Swansea Vale to support thousands more families.

Local Multibank helping 120,000 people a year gets £30k boost
Essential items like clothes, bedding and furniture reach families in need thanks to new funding.

Virgin Media O2 donates smartphones and free data to Swansea’s Multibank
Hundreds of devices handed over to help families stay connected during tough times.

Former Prime Minister launches charity scheme in Swansea
Gordon Brown backs Faith in Families’ Multibank, donating surplus Amazon goods to families in poverty.

#AmySeppman #Business #businessSupport #CarTen #Charity #CherrieBija #CommunityCwtch #FaithInFamilies #HelpToGrow #Howden #JCPSolicitors #LloydWhyte #LloydsBank #Multibank #networking #smallBusiness #SouthWestWales #Swansea #SwanseaBayBusinessClub

#amyseppman #business #businesssupport #carten #charity #cherriebija

Editor @[email protected] · 2025-12-11 · 09:13 UTC

Virgin Media O2 donates hundreds of smartphones and free data to Swansea’s Cwtch Mawr Multibank

Hundreds of people in Swansea facing financial hardship will be able to stay connected this winter thanks to a donation of smartphones and free O2 mobile data from Virgin Media O2.

The devices have been handed to Cwtch Mawr Multibank, the city’s one‑stop shop for essential non‑food items, which is run by Faith in Families. The scheme, set up by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, already provides clothing, furniture and toys — and now connectivity has been added to the list.

Targeted support for those most in need

Community leaders across Swansea are working with health professionals and schools to identify who needs the phones and data most. Recipients include people who have been made redundant, young people leaving care, refugees, and survivors of domestic abuse.

With a working phone and data, people can book medical appointments, apply for jobs, access training, manage housing applications, and stay in touch with loved ones.

Jakob, who received a smartphone through the scheme, said:

“When I was in temporary housing, I didn’t have a phone or internet, which made things really tough. Now I can use GPS to find my way around, learn more about the area, and I feel a lot safer knowing I can reach out for help if I need it.”

Backed by leaders

Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, said the company was proud to support Swansea’s Multibank:

“We know how important it is to have access to the internet. This partnership is helping to put phones and mobile data into the hands of people who really need it.”

Jonathan Waite, Facility and Development Manager at Faith in Families, added:

“Without a phone or data, people are effectively cut off from the support around them. For survivors of domestic abuse and those in temporary accommodation, having a safe, reliable phone can mean control, safety and independence at the moment they need it most.”

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt MS, welcomed the initiative, calling it “much needed digital solidarity.”

And former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, who is President of The Multibank, said:

“Having access to the internet is now as essential as electricity, water and gas. Virgin Media O2’s partnership will boost digital wellbeing and social inclusion, bringing hope to where it’s needed most.”

Tackling digital exclusion

The donation is part of Virgin Media O2’s pledge to hand over up to 12,000 devices in 2025 through its Community Calling programme with charity Hubbub. Phones are sourced from the company’s supply chain, tackling electronic waste while helping those who can’t afford devices or data.

It builds on wider efforts to tackle digital exclusion, including the National Databank, which provides free O2 data, and social tariffs for broadband and mobile customers on benefits.

Related stories: Cwtch Mawr Multibank

New and expanded Cwtch Mawr Multibank opens in Swansea
Faith in Families officially opens its larger warehouse in Swansea Vale, boosting support for families in crisis.

Swansea Multibank campaigns to combat child hygiene poverty
Drive launched to ensure children return to school with dignity and confidence.

Local Multibank helping 120,000 people a year gets £30K boost
Funding injection supports expansion of essential non-food donations across South West Wales.

New charity initiative already supporting thousands
Families, care leavers and those hit by the cost of living crisis benefit from Swansea’s Multibank.

Swansea project provides over 62,000 essential items
Cwtch Mawr delivers clothing, furniture and essentials to struggling households across the city.

#CwtchMawr #digitalExclusion #FaithInFamilies #GordonBrown #JaneHuttMS #MobilePhone #Multibank #Swansea #VirginMediaO2

#cwtchmawr #digitalexclusion #faithinfamilies #gordonbrown #janehuttms #mobilephone

Editor @[email protected] · 2025-11-12 · 09:24 UTC

Amazon says £2.4bn investment has boosted Wales — with Swansea at the centre

Swansea’s role in the global giant

In Swansea, Amazon operates two major sites: an Idea’s Centre, one of just four in the UK, where teams work on projects for Prime Video, Alexa and the online shopping platform; and a Distribution Centre, part of the company’s vast logistics network. Together, they show how the city is plugged into both the creative and operational sides of Amazon’s global business.

Jobs, apprenticeships and training

Since 2010, Amazon says it has created more than 2,000 full and part‑time jobs across Wales. The report also highlights that 90 apprentices from Wales have graduated through its apprenticeship programme, while more than 430 people have taken part in career development and skills training initiatives.

David Marcok, from Amazon in Swansea, said the company is keen to show its impact beyond the balance sheet: “In 2025 so far, our team has collaborated with organisations including Save the Children and Wales Air Ambulance through volunteer engagement, product contributions and direct financial assistance.”

Community partnership with Faith in Families

One of the most visible local partnerships has been with Faith in Families, the Swansea charity behind the Cwtch Mawr Multibank. The hub redistributes surplus essentials — from school uniforms and hygiene products to bedding and baby kits — to families across Swansea Bay struggling with the cost‑of‑living crisis.

Amazon’s Swansea team has supported the initiative by donating thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies, packing baby kits worth more than £10,000, and helping Faith in Families expand into a larger warehouse in Llansamlet to meet rising demand. The charity says this support has been vital in reaching families who would otherwise go without.

Cwtch Mawr Multibank in Swansea(Image: Alistair Heap / PA Wire)

National expansion plans

The report comes as Amazon announces a £40 billion UK investment between 2025 and 2027, including four new fulfilment centres and upgrades to more than 100 existing sites. Thousands of new jobs are promised, with most outside London and the South East.

Amazon already employs more than 75,000 people in the UK, making it one of the country’s largest private sector employers.

Tax contributions — and the debate they spark

Amazon’s report states its total UK tax contribution in 2024 was £5.8 billion, including £1 billion in taxes it directly paid and £4.7 billion collected on behalf of government.

The company stresses it ranks among the UK’s top taxpayers. But critics argue that much of the total comes from taxes collected from customers and employees, rather than corporation tax on profits. Campaigners have long questioned whether multinationals like Amazon contribute fairly compared to smaller businesses, pointing to allowances and incentives that reduce taxable profits in the short term.

Amazon says such allowances are government policy designed to encourage investment and innovation. The debate highlights a wider tension: while Amazon’s spending creates jobs and infrastructure, questions remain about whether the tax system lets global giants contribute proportionately to the public purse.

The Amazon logo displayed on the exterior of the Swansea Distribution Centre, a key hub in the company’s UK logistics network.

Skills and community impact

Beyond jobs and tax, Amazon points to its role in skills development. Its apprenticeship levy transfers have supported more than 1,500 apprenticeships outside the company, while its Career Choice programme has helped over 23,000 UK employees retrain in high‑demand fields. In Wales, more than 430 people have benefited from career development initiatives since 2010.

Locally, the partnership with Faith in Families shows how Amazon’s presence in Swansea is also tied to community resilience — helping families under pressure while anchoring the city in the company’s wider UK operations.

#amazon #amazonDistributionCentre #amazonEconomicImpactReport #amazonIdeasCentre #business #distributionCentre #economy #employment #faithInFamilies #ideasCentre #investment #multibank #swansea #tax #welshEconomy

#amazon #amazondistributioncentre #amazoneconomicimpactreport #amazonideascentre #business #distributioncentre

Editor @[email protected] · 2025-04-09 · 15:04 UTC

Councillors call to extend anti-poverty Multibank initiative into Carmarthenshire

The shocking fact that so many people depend on foodbanks in 21st century Britain is “a poor reflection on successive UK Governments”, Carmarthenshire County Council heard at its meeting today (Wednesday 9 April).

While agreeing to actively explore with relevant partners the potential for an anti-poverty Multibank initiative in Carmarthenshire, Plaid Cymru members demanded concerted action at the highest level to eradicate the need for foodbanks in Wales and the UK as a whole.

Plaid Cymru Cabinet member Cllr Alun Lenny said: ” We realise that the journey out of austerity, and its impact on poorer families in particular, will not be achieved overnight, but UK Labour Government policies are making things worse. By slashing disability benefits, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is trying to balance the books on the backs of the poorest and most vulnerable people in our communities. This will inevitably increase pressure on foodbank.”

The Cwtch Mawr Multibank, which directs clothes, bedding and furniture to those most in need, is currently based at Swansea. The Plaid-led council agreed to support its extension into Carmarthenshire.

Cllr Lenny said: “Any partnership aimed at helping families and individuals going through difficult times is obviously welcome. The County Council will give full support to the Multibank as long as it’s not to the detriment of existing successful ventures in Carmarthenshire.”

The proviso was echoed by Cllr Hefin Jones who said: “We must not underestimate the role of local organisations and charities in our county that have been working for years – decades even – to alleviate the pain of deprivation and poverty. Foodbanks do fantastic work in towns, while the County Council’s Hwb Bach y Wlad venture in addressing the hidden poverty in rural communities.”

Cllr Jones accused Labour of hypocrisy in backing the Multibank venture on the one hand, while creating more poverty through their policies in London and Cardiff on the other.

He said: “As well as the benefits cuts, the National Insurance changes introduced by the UK Government will result in job losses, in particular amongst the lowest paid, as the threshold at which employers have to start paying NI is lowered to £5,000. This will hit people in urban and rural areas.

“Meanwhile, the Welsh Government’s own impact assessment on the last set of Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals foresees a direct loss of 5,000 jobs in rural Wales. This does not include job losses in the wider supply chain and associated industries, many of which are based in towns and larger villages. While we strive as a council to tackle poverty, Labour is pulling the carpet from under our feet.”

The Council agreed to ask its cross-party Tackling Poverty Advisory Panel to develop costed proposals associated with the Multibank for consideration and approval by Cabinet, including the options for securing external funding.

(Lead image: Faith in Families)

#Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CllrAlunLenny #CllrHefinJones #CwtchMawr #FoodBank #Multibank #PlaidCymru #poverty

#carmarthenshire #carmarthenshirecouncil #cllralunlenny #cllrhefinjones #cwtchmawr #foodbank