British Credit Union Historical Society

Started in in 1993 as Council Employee Credit Union. Since 2003 changed to be open to anyone who lives or works in Bradford District. They now have over 6000 members/savers with new credit union collection points opening up in communities all across Bradford. Partnered with local community organisations, a network of community centres, schools and social landlords to promote financial inclusion with ‘jargon buster’ workshops that explains common but little understood terms like APR, Payday loans and credit score. The credit union works with the Church of England to run LifeSavers, a children's saving club teaching children the value of a strong savings habit. The club is funded by the Church of England and the Government. The Credit Union has increased its partnerships with Muslim organisations to become a ‘faith-friendly’ union, which means that Muslim savers with the credit union will not have to take interest on their savings, as they would with other non-Islamic financial organisations.

http://www.bdcu.co.uk

has grown out of a credit union called Brent Shrine Credit Union, which was first formed in 1979 to serve people living or working in the London Borough of Brent. Now an online Credit Union serving communities across the UK. My Community Bank is one of the three credit unions which form the My Community Bank network covering England, Scotland and Wales. In 2013 the common bond was extended to include members and supporters of the “British” South Asian Community across the UK. My Community Bank is as British as curry. Open nationwide to all who are members of associations concerned with the culture, cuisine, finance or welfare of the South Asian community in the UK. 2017/8 the common bond has been extended further to cover anyone who is a member of Financial Education and Awareness. FEA is a new charity who aim to help people educate themselves in how to be financially responsible, independent and improve their financial well-being. The charity focuses on self-help and learning to improve people’s financial well-being. membership of FEA is free and is open to the general public

Began as Western Super Mare & District credit union registered in January 2004. June 2009 with a change of common bond started trading as North Somerset credit union. The credit union name changed to Somerset Savings and Loans in January 2013 and membership increased. In June 2017 a new name was designed Westcountry Savings and Loans to more accurately reflect the new membership area to better reflect the area served, which stretches from Bath in the east to Plymouth in the west. The credit union has been stepping up its efforts in hard-pressed communities, reducing people's dependency on doorstep and payday loan companies. The credit union operates drop-in centres in Weston-Super-Mare, Yeovil and Taunton as well as running sessions in a number of villages. Members need to live or work in Somerset, Devon or Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Due to an unprecedented period of lending the credit union in 2018 is aiming to raise £100, 000 of new deposits by issuing a new cash ISA with an interest rate of 1. 5% AER. It's a fixed term product over two years.  It is the first foray for the credit union into paying interest rather than a dividend. Members can save up to £20,000 in 2018 tax year into a cash ISA

 http://www.westcountry.org.uk