As doomsayers predicted depression, Fairbairn Private Bank started the year with its own bad news — Dad, an elderly black and white ruffed lemur at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Jersey base, had died. Fortunately his son Gutless is still being sponsored by the bank in a three-year project to conserve the creatures’ habitat in Madagascar.

The firm, which provides wealth management services for clients from private individuals to governments, actually expanded last year, winning a licence from the Financial Services Authority to open its doors to clients in London. Fairbairn also won a prestigious award for best private bank for the past two years at the International Investment Fund and Product Awards.

Fairbairn, the only firm to improve its Best Companies rank every year since 2005, believes one of its best investments is in its people. The volatile world economy has put new demands on its 148 staff. Greg Horton, managing director, sent e-mails thanking people for their efforts, and discussed economic issues openly at meetings. This leadership gives Fairbairn an overall positive score of 88%. Staff say he runs the bank on a sound moral basis (92%) and inspires them (90%) — both top 10 scores.

The company is based on the Isle of Man, with offices in Jersey and London (as well as South Africa). Staff are happy with their work-life balance (81%), and despite the recent pressures, don’t spend too much time working (76%) or feel exhausted most days (66%).

Lemurs aren’t the only ones to benefit from the bank’s benevolence. There are four staff-nominated charities, plus sponsorship of the Sailing for the Disabled yacht. Employees give the firm top 10 scores for Giving Something Back (79%), for the work it does for the local community (83%) and for the environment (84%). They say profit isn’t the only driving force (87%) — making Fairbairn a pretty rare bank.

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