British Credit Union Historical Society

Started in 1990 as Busways Employees Credit Union limited, when Stagecoach bought out Busways in 1994 then became Great North Two Thousand (Transport) Credit Union Limited in July 2002. Since then they have expanded and could take members from employees and their Families (living at the same address) who worked for Arriva, the Go-ahead group, Stagecoach and Nexus in England and Wales which became the common bond. By the end of 2014 members had saved over £25 Million. The credit union continues to Provide Financial Services to their members in both England and Wales. You can contact them at Stagecoach Wheatsheaf Offices, North Bridge Street, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR5 1AQ.

http://www.gn2000cu.com/

Was launched at Hanley fire station, Stoke-on-Trent in 1992 The credit union has offices tucked away in a corner of the Hanley fire station They have been fortunate in retaining their offices there due to the generosity and constant support of a succession of Chief Officers. In the ten years it's been going, Flamesavers has loaned out more than £2.5 million and has assets of around £1.2million. They expanded in 2001 by inviting Cheshire Fire & Rescue to join the Credit Union. Then in 2010 included Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue in the Credit Union, and have at the moment well over 1,000 members throughout these three brigades. The team at Flamesavers Credit Union have found that through SMS it is far easier to contact their entire membership When sending out loan reminders. The Credit Union have also discovered their members are more likely to read an SMS where phone calls can be easily ignored or missed. Also, since using SMS their workload reduced, given that it’s now easier and quicker for members to request additional funds when they require. Training for directors and staff is provided by ACE Trading Association of which the credit union is a long-standing member.  

Registered in May 1999 originally Whitehaven Credit Union Limited trading successfully delivering services to the Whitehaven community. When in April 2010 saw the expansion of the common bond adding Egremont and District Credit Union Limited which had been running since May 2002 as the result of a merger. The merging credit union began to address the problem of the high cost of borrowing money (from banks or doorstep lenders etc.) and to encourage regular saving. They began to establish a community-run business, which actively encouraged members to save and to have access to low cost affordable loans. Junior members were encouraged to save at a young age and has now become a pattern with many families. 2017 the credit union was invited to take part in the BBC documentary series 'A Matter of Life & Debt', which focussed on people who had been helped by the Credit Unions to overcome debt problems. The National Stop Loan Sharks Awards in 2018, hosted by the Illegal Money Lending Team recognise organisations that help the fight against loan sharks in communities. The credit union has contributed to making a difference and tackling this crime in their community and has received £3,000 to continue its work to stamp out illegal money lending in the town and surrounding areas.

info@wedcu.co.uk  https://wedcu.co.uk/