By David Fox
Published May 28, 2014 at 8:00 am

Recipients: (Pictured from left): Sarah Dunstan, development director, The Family Centre;
Jonathan Kightley, teacher team coordinator, The Menuhin Foundation; Zoran Fotak, co-CEO,
Clarien Bank; Julie Dunstan, executive director, The Reading Clinic; Ian Truran, co-CEO,
Clarien Bank and Lynda Johnson, development officer, The Bermuda Zoological Society.

Bermuda’s newest banking group, Clarien Bank Ltd, is establishing a new charitable trust to benefit Bermuda charities.

But ahead of its creation, the group yesterday honoured four charitable organisations with cash donations, and promised more giving before the end of the year.

A corporate statement said: “Clarien Bank, formerly Capital G Bank Ltd, has a long-standing commitment to the local charitable community and has been contributing both in cash donations and giving of time to a broad cross-section of philanthropic associations on the island for many years.

“Early childhood development, youth development, families and the environment remain key segments of Clarien Bank’s giving strategy. As a result, The Menuhin Foundation, The Reading Clinic, The Bermuda Zoological Society and The Family Centre have been selected as the first recipients of the Clarien Bank philanthropic fund.”

Clarien Bank Co-CEO Ian Truran said “We remain fully committed to the success of Bermuda, its residents and our charitable community. Our passion has always been to build lifelong relationships with our clients and partners and today we continue the relationships with our charitable family.”

The statement continued, “Clarien Bank’s partners represent an early childhood reading programme nurtured by The Reading Clinic and supported by Clarien Bank employees as reading mentors.

“The Menuhin Foundation cultivates musical expression in students learning string instruments.

“For several years, The Family Centre and Clarien Bank have created a fun and spirit-filled fundraiser around the two-day Cup Match holiday to encourage and celebrate the importance of children and families.

“Conservation and environmental education programmes at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum & Zoo are fostered by The Bermuda Zoological Society.

These are only a few of Clarien Bank’s philanthropic endeavours.

“Clarien Bank is in the early stages of establishing the Clarien Bank Charitable Trust that will execute all future donations and sponsorships. The Clarien Bank Charitable Trust will serve as the umbrella for the company’s giving initiatives and employee volunteer outreach projects as the Bank solidifies its commitment to corporate citizenship.

Mr Truran added, “Clarien Bank has a steady track record of giving, beyond the cash donation. Bank employees are very engaged in giving their time and funds toward charitable causes. It is truly the Clarien Bank employees and their loyalty that embodies the true spirit of volunteerism and corporate citizenship. We invest in the ideas, people and charitable organisations in whom we believe.”