North Staffordshire Credit Union.

[Rebelliousjukebox]

I am involved, through work, in a multi-agency partnership (Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Voluntary/charity organisations) seeking to establish a Credit Union for North Staffordshire - Newcastle, Stoke, Moorlands.

Credit unions are financial co-operatives owned and controlled by their members. They offer savings and great value loans plus they are local, ethical and know what their members want. For people on low incomes, who are excluded from mainstream banking, they provide an alternative to doorstep lenders or loan sharks without the excessive interest rates on loans, and without - in the case of loan sharks - baseball bats as a method of enforcement. Small, affordable, loans - contingent on a member having starting saving - for things such as kids school uniform, new suit for a job interview, Stoke City Season Ticket.

We need 750 completed Pledge Forms - which say nothing more than the person might be interested in joining a Credit Union - to satisfy the Financial Services Authority that we are a serious proposition, and therefore to register with the FSA.

If you'd like to support this initiative by filling in a Pledge Form, or want more information, either:-

- send me a Personal Message with your e-mail and/or address - stating whether you want me to e-mail or post the form.
- go on to www.nscu.co.uk/page_1197564667510.html
- contact the Credit Union Development Officer on 0845 224 1215 or email [e-mail]

Thanks,

RJB.

[Rebelliousjukebox]

No interest? (no pun intended).

[Rebelliousjukebox]

Back to the stop in a (futile) attempt to get this noticed.

[Rebelliousjukebox]

Final attempt to get this noticed.

[Staffsoatcake]

We have them here in Ireland, and they are a Godsend,Just say you borrowed £1000, the interest is roughly about £100/£150.

[Rebelliousjukebox]

Staffsoatcake,

Quite right, and thanks for responding (+1 on your Karma). The UK lags behind Ireland, and many many other countries, with credit unions, and there are some of us trying to rectify this in North Staffs.

[mermaidsal]

rebellious, I think these are a great thing and now people are starting to face up to how badly they're often ripped off by commercial/corporate credit I hope NSCU will get going properly. Good luck, I'll do you a pledge in a bit.

[Rebelliousjukebox]

Thanks Sal,

Do you want me to e-mail you a Pledge Form - if so, send me a PM with the necessary details - or are you going to do it through the website?

[mermaidsal]

I already picked one up on the site thanks.

[Rebelliousjukebox]

Thanks Sal - hope there are others who follow your example.

+1 on your (already considerable!) Karma.