Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Manchester gets its own Current Account

by Ethos public relations

Manchester Credit Union is launching an alternative to High Street bank current accounts for the people of Manchester.

Manchester Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial co-operative, serving people who live or work in Manchester, and the new Current Account will provide its members with a transparent way of managing their money.

Featuring an ATM or Debit card that will give customers instant access to their money from one of the 38,000 free cash machines across the UK, the account will not offer an overdraft and all charges are made clear up front.

With a weekly fee of just ?1, this charge will guarantee customers a service with no hidden extra administrative costs. When the credit union has to pass along charges for things like unpaid Direct Debits, these will typically be lower than those at high street banks. Other benefits include access to low cost loans and telephone banking.

Christine Moore, Chief Executive of Manchester Credit Union, said: ?We are delighted to be introducing this new Current Account to Manchester and we are looking forward to offering our services to people across the city.

?There are numerous people who do not have access to a high street bank for various reasons, and as credit unions exist to serve their members, we want to bring our services to more and more people in Manchester.?

Christine Moore added: ?As a credit union it is important for all our members to have an honest service which has no financial surprises and by banking with Manchester Credit Union, your money is guaranteed to be in safe hands.?

Councillor Bernard Priest, Lead Member for Finance and Human Resources at Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester City Council is committed to supporting Manchester Credit Union, to help reduce the financial inequalities that our residents face.

?Although there are signs the recession is easing, financial times are still hard and we recognise that the Credit Union is offering a transparent way of managing money.

?This service sits alongside our Helping Hands initiative and is something we applaud." To find out more visit www.manchestercreditunion.co.uk or call 0161 231 5222.

Posted at 26^th February 2010

Mancunians should aim to save an extra Tenner a week in 2010

by Ethos public relations

As the festive season is well and truly behind us Manchester Credit Union is encouraging households to try and put aside an extra tenner each week in time for Christmas 2010.

Mancunians found saving in the Noughties challenging due to many factors including the higher cost of living and struggled to save for those many rainy days, but as we move into a new decade they are being offered a financial solution.

Christine Moore, Chief Executive of Manchester Credit Union, said: "Many of us find it hard to save regularly but anything we can do to start putting money aside helps us in the long run.

"A report highlighted the average UK family is now ?10 a week better off which, if put aside, means every household has the possibility of saving at least another ?480 a year ? that would be a great contribution to funds for Christmas 2010."

Christine added: "Committing yourself to a regular saving pattern can be difficult, but saving with Manchester Credit Union is simple. No matter how much or how little money you have, having some savings allows us to work towards our financial goals and gives us peace of mind should an emergency arise."

Credit unions are owned by their members and they exist to look after the financial well-being of their members by offering savings accounts and affordable loans.

To find out more visit www.manchestercreditunion.co.uk or call 0161 231 5222.

Posted at 5^th January 2010

Credit union expands across Manchester

by Ethos public relations

The newest branch of Manchester Credit Union in Wythenshawe is now open to members and new members in the city.

The branch, at Unit 1E, Haletop, Wythenshawe Civic Centre (M22 5RN), is the latest to be opened by the credit union and, along with improved branches in Beswick and Moss Side, will offer a range of fair and affordable financial services to its members.

Formed in 1991, Manchester Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial co-operative serving people who live or work in the city of Manchester.

Christine Moore, Chief Executive of Manchester Credit Union, said: ?We are delighted to be able to offer services on a full-time basis from our newest branch in Wythenshawe. This will enable many more people to benefit from credit union services in their community.

?Due to the tough economic climate and the impact this is having on people, there is now an increasing awareness of financial issues. And this growing awareness is reflected in a greater interest in credit unions as safe and respected local providers of financial services, such as savings accounts and personal loans.

?Credit unions have a vital role to play in today?s difficult economic times and we are pleased to be expanding across Manchester, offering more and more people access to fair and affordable financial products.

?We are run by our members, for our members, and our range of services also includes Christmas savings accounts and Money Made Clear guidance sessions.?

The Moss Side branch will also be open full-time to members from 19 October 2009.

To find out more visit www.manchestercreditunion.co.uk or call 0161 231 5222.

Posted at 13^th October 2009

Council Link-up for Manchester Credit Union

by Ethos public relations

Manchester Credit Union is working with Manchester City Council to introduce a payroll service for its employees.

This working relationship includes facilitating the provision of information relating to the credit union to council employees, direct deduction from payroll, and the opening of facilities for the credit union within Manchester Town Hall.

?Manchester City Council wanted to offer the facilities of a credit union for its employees but we suggested that rather than setting one up specifically for Manchester City Council staff they use the Manchester Credit Union which already existed,? explains Christine Moore, Chief Executive of Manchester Credit Union. ?We did a pilot project in one service area which went well and the scheme is now available to all employees.?

Manchester Credit Union is a financial co-operative, owned and controlled by its members. It is open to anyone who lives or works in Manchester and offers a range of fair and affordable financial services. It is backed by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

?The link-up with Manchester City Council is fantastic news for Manchester Credit Union,? adds Christine. ?Not only will it help us to create a stronger asset base, providing long term security for the credit union, but it will enable us to provide access to fair and affordable financial services to council employees across the city and will create a number of jobs in the credit union, which is also good news in the economic climate.?

There are over 450 credit unions in Britain with a combined adult membership of over 600,000, plus 100,000 junior savers.

To find out more visit www.manchestercreditunion.co.uk or call 0161 231 5222.

Posted at 11^th March 2009

Giving Manchester full credit

by Ethos public relations

Manchester Credit Union has enlisted the help of city centre based Ethos public relations to promote the values and principles of its business to the local community.

The credit union is a financial co-operative, owned and controlled by its members and is one of the most successful credit unions in England.

Ethos public relations will promote the credit union to all the people who live or work in Manchester through the media, leaflets, the Manchester Credit Union website and other communication tools.

Christine Moore, Chief Executive of Manchester Credit Union, said: ?In the current economic climate, it is important that people have access to affordable credit and ethical savings. Credit unions offer just that and we are delighted that Ethos public relations will help us to relay this message.?

Shaun Fisher, Director at Ethos public relations, commented: ?Credit unions are a real alternative to banks and we want to encourage the people of Manchester to join their local credit union. We?re looking forward to working with Manchester Credit Union to increase its profile in the city.?

To find out more about Manchester Credit Union visit their website: www.manchestercreditunion.co.uk.

Posted at 27^th February 2009