Ethos Public Relations Manchester

House of Commons Fair and Reception showcases credit unions

by Ethos public relations

Credit unions and partners showcased their work to MPs and policy makers at an event at the House of Commons on Wednesday 23 November. The Credit Union Fair and Reception was organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Credit Unions and sponsored by Santander.

Credit unions from across the country attended the event to show how they work with partners including housing providers, employers, schools and prisons to bring financial services, including convenient savings accounts, affordable credit and current accounts, to their members.

Alan Eagle from the Santander Foundation explained how the Foundation changed its policies a few years ago specifically to allow credit unions to benefit from its grants.

One of the Foundation’s most recent awards was to Clockwise Credit Union, one of the exhibitors at the event, allowing it to move into new, central premises in Leicester, helping to increase accessibility and grow membership.

Santander itself recently made a contribution to ABCUL’s back office project, enabling ABCUL – the Association of British Credit Unions, to develop tools to help credit unions more efficiently consider loan applications from members.

Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Credit Unions, Damian Hinds MP, said: “Today’s event is testament to the excellent work credit unions are doing across the country with a wide range of partner organisations in order to bring ethical and affordable financial services to those that are most in need. Now that the Legislative Reform Order is in place, this type of partnership working will become much easier to expand to the great benefit of many across the country. It was particularly heartening to hear the cross-party support that credit unions enjoy in the Westminster Hall debate on Credit Unions and Financial Inclusion which took place alongside today’s Fair.”

Antony Macrow-Wood, ABCUL President, thanked attendees for their contribution to the legislative changes which were recently secured for the sector.

”Working together with successive Governments, parliamentarians, regulators and the rest of the co-operative sector, we have secured changes to legislation which will help credit unions build on the partnerships that are in evidence today, and enable many more people to benefit from credit union services.”

To read other news from ABCUL click here.

Posted at 25^th November 2011