Faith organisations are built on trust, compassion, and service to others. Churches, ministries, and Christian charities work tirelessly to support communities through food banks, counselling, youth programmes, and outreach work. The Bible teaches the importance of good stewardship and integrity, reminding believers that “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10).
Faith groups take this responsibility seriously, yet many are facing increasing challenges when it comes to banking.
The reliance on trustees, volunteers and part-time administrators to manage finances, can mean everyday banking tasks can become more complicated than they are for a typical business. From slow responses to difficult mandate changes, the wrong account can create admin burdens that distract from ministry, outreach and community work.
Here are five common challenges faith organisations could face with their current bank.
Challenge 1: Customer service that does not understand faith organisations
One of the biggest frustrations for faith organisations is having to explain their structure, governance and decision-making processes again and again. Many banks still treat them like standard small businesses, which can lead to confusion over governing documents, trustee roles, account mandates and safeguarding around charitable funds. We know that the time taken to solve banking issues can negatively impact the time dedicated to the people and communities’ charities serve.
Solution: Dedicated Relationship Managers to help with account changes.
Challenge 2: Managing banking with multiple trustees
Faith organisations often have several trustees involved in oversight, even if only some of them are authorised to transact on the account. That can make onboarding, approvals and compliance checks more complicated, especially when banks ask for information that does not reflect how charities or places of worship are governed. Coordinating several volunteers with different availability can also slow down urgent decisions.
Solution: Reliance Bank Faith Current Account offers Online Banking with Dual authorisation option.
Challenge 3: Changing signatories when leadership changes
Faith organisations can see regular turnover among treasurers, trustees and authorised signatories, particularly where roles are voluntary or rotate periodically. In many cases, changing signatories is one of the most difficult parts of banking, involving paper forms, identity checks, board minutes and long processing times. Having outdated Trustee signatories that remain on bank accounts can pose a risk to the charity’s financial security. If a change is delayed, organisations can struggle to access funds or approve payments when they need to.
Solution: Easy process for signatory changes.
Challenge 4: Switching accounts without disrupting operations
When a bank no longer meets their needs, faith organisations may want to switch, but the process can feel risky. Regular donations, standing orders, payroll, supplier payments and community collections all depend on continuity. A poorly handled switch can create missed payments, confusion for donors and extra work for already stretched volunteers.
Solution: Current Account Switching Service (CASS) to ensure smooth transition for your faith organisation / charity.
Challenge 5: Finding a bank that aligns with ethical values
For many faith organisations, banking is not just about functionality, it is also about values. They may want assurances that their money is not supporting activities that conflict with their beliefs or mission.
Solution: Ask yourself the following questions:
- What do you know about your bank?
- Who does it lend to?
- Does it finance fossil fuels or invest in weapons?
- Does it support ethical business practices?
Banks and faith organisations should work together with openness and understanding. Clear communication, fair treatment, and simpler processes that would help churches and charities focus less on financial obstacles and more on serving people. By supporting faith organisations with accessible and reliable banking services, financial institutions can help strengthen the positive impact these groups have on local communities.
At Reliance Bank, we conducted research with churches because we were keen to understand the banking challenges they faced. Using the research findings, we launched the Faith Current Account - a specialised account curated to solve the banking challenges faced by faith organisations.
Reliance Bank's Faith Current Account offers*:
• UK Customer Service Team
• Switching service to ensure smooth transition for your faith organisation / charity
• Online banking with Dual authorization option
• Easy signatory changes
• Dedicated Relationship Managers to help with account changes
• Cash withdrawals from any ATM
• Over the counter cash deposits via any NatWest, RBS and HSBC branch and The Post Office
• Visa Debit card
If you would like to find out more, please visit our website
https://www.reliancebankltd.com/charity-banking/faith-current-account
*Products are subject to status and eligibility. Terms and conditions apply. Interest rates can be withdrawn at any time.
We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Reliance Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority
