The first enduring credit unions in Scotland were founded in Drumchapel and Bellshill in the 1960's, thanks to the vision of pioneers of the Scottish movement, Bert Mullen and Bill Murphy.
Shortly before the passing of the 1979 Credit Unions
Act, two sisters from Drumchapel Kathleen and Phyllis McGee, got together with a few friends and neighbours, to set up the first credit union in Renfrewshire. Johnstone Credit Union opened its doors to members for the first time on Saturday 4th August
1979. Membership was open to anyone who lived in Johnstone. The local scout group gave us the use of their hall in Elm Drive, Johnstone Castle. For the first five years the fledgling credit union had no permanent home and operated from a variety
of venues including a church hall and a school community wing; during this period growth was slow. The small group of volunteers persevered however and in 1984 with help from the local council JCU moved to our first permanent premises in Collier Street; by
the year 2000 the credit union was in a position to purchase our very own premises in Church Street, and by 2014 with membership approaching 5000 and assets over 7.5 million we moved into our new purpose built offices.