Atom bank

Durham-based Atom bank create opportunities for young people in County Durham.

Atom bank: supporting talented young people

First established

Awarded to date

£ 0

Grants awarded to date

About Atom Bank

Founded in 2014, Atom bank were the UK’s first app-based bank and were the country’s first digital-only bank to be granted a regulatory licence.

With a team of over 470 people, many in the North East, Atom bank offers savings, mortgages and business loans designed to make banking faster, simpler and more personal.

Proud of its regional roots, Atom bank works with Point North to support opportunity across the North East to make sure local people benefits from their success.

Atom Futures Fund with Point North

Atom bank supports local students through the Atom Futures Fund in partnership with Point North. The fund is for County Durham, Tees Valley and the wider North East sixth form, college or academy students from low-income backgrounds or those in the care system. It gives them financial and practical support to apply to and attend Russell Group universities to increase the diversity of young people from the North East attending UK universities.

Meet Grace

Grace was a 2023 recipient of the Atom Futures Fund, which gave her financial and practical support to prepare for and attend an interview at Durham University.

Thanks to the Atom Futures Fund, she was able to take the next step towards her future, and is now studying Primary Education at Durham University.

The difference the Atom Futures Fund makes

Below are a few ways the Atom Futures Fund has made a difference on the lives of young people in their own word.

“The Grant has enabled me to attend various universities without worrying about the financial burden of doing so. Without it, my opportunities may have been limited, and caused unnecessary stress and worry. It has made my applications and decision-making easier.”

“Myself and my mother have both benefited significantly from the grant, me with being able to have a computer that helps me with specialist software in order to combat my disability and my mother who would have been under a lot of stress to find money to purchase such an expensive item.”

“I would not have been able to attend any open days without the grant as my mam works full time and was unable to drive me down to the Universities I had open days for. I was able to fund these trips through train fares and travelling while I was at the offer holder open days. I would not have been able to attend in person otherwise.”

“It made a huge difference in my decision over which uni to attend and allowed me to firm my choice in Sheffield and not change it. It was an amazing experience to be able to attend the open and learn all about it.”

Why we give

We believe our bank can have a positive impact on the world around us. And, that means ensuring issues for the greater good, like sustainability and community, are at the heart of our business.

The Atom Futures Fund continues to build upon our support for young people in the North East. Through this programme, we’re encouraging participation and providing opportunities for further education and employment.

Other key developments in the programme have included:

Partnership with Durham Sixth Form Centre to offer annual paid internships for students every year.
Work experience opportunities through the EY Foundation Smart Futures Chartered Banker Institute Programme for students from low income families.
Two new funded scholarships in Durham University’s Women in Technology programme to support the next generation of leaders in technology.

These initiatives are all part of our wider mission to increase opportunities for local people, drive diversity in the sector and find the next generation of leaders.

We can’t solve all the disparities between the most and the least fortunate, but as one of the largest and fastest-growing employers in the North East, we want Atom bank to be at the forefront of driving sustainable economic growth within the community while unashamedly developing talented individuals who can join our growing workforce.

Through our partnership with Point North we aim to break down some of the barriers that growing up in poverty or in care can put in front of young people, and in doing so help foster excellence in our region.

Edward Twiddy, Director, Atom bank

Key impact data

Atom bank helps reduce inequalities (Sustainable Development Goal 10) by supporting teenagers from underrepresented backgrounds to access university. Through financial support, Atom bank empowers young people to overcome barriers to higher education, opening doors to opportunities, better jobs and financial independence, key steps in narrowing the social and economic gap.