General Enquiries: 020 7561 1786 or Email: info@credit-union.coop | CU Loan Repayment Issues Only: 020 3763 8397 or Email: loansupport@credit-union.coop

PrizeSaver goes from strength to strength

by lccu2020 | Jun 10, 2021 | news |

PrizeSaver goes from strength to strength

Another one of our Credit Union members has won £5,000 in the monthly PrizeSaver draw, the third this year to win the top prize! We’re delighted that the PrizeSaver savings account is going from strength to strength, so join us now for your chance to win!

The PrizeSaver scheme was launched by the Government in 2019 to encourage people to save and, after an initial pilot, it has been announced that the scheme will continue in future, which is great news for savers.

14 credit unions across Britain are involved in the scheme and, to date, over 14,000 PrizeSaver accounts have been opened, with credit union members saving more than £1 million. In addition, £120,000 in prize money has been distributed to winners. Each month, there is a top prize of £5,000 as well as 20 smaller prizes of £20.

The PrizeSaver scheme was partly inspired by the ‘Save to Win’ scheme in the United States, which has helped credit union members save $200 million (£141 million) and has awarded $3.1 million (£2.2 million) in prizes nationwide.

Martin Groombridge, Credit Union Chief Executive, said: “Why not kick start your savings habit with our PrizeSaver account? Every pound you save in the account gets you an entry into a monthly prize draw, up to £200 or 200 entries each month.

“Our Credit Union has a proven track record of helping people save, in order to improve their financial resilience, and we think the PrizeSaver scheme is a great way of encouraging our members to put aside some money each month. Even a small pot of savings could make all the difference when your cooker breaks down, the kids need new school uniforms or your car needs repairing.”

Saving feels good, but winning feels great! For your chance to win up to £5,000 each month click here to join us and save.

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Tel: 020 7561 1786 (Multilingual advisers available)
Email: info@credit-union.coop

If you have a loan from us and need a little help managing repayments then
please call us on 0203 763 8397 to speak with one of our friendly Loan Support Officers who will find a way to help.

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How We Decide to Whether to Offer a Loan – The Basics

The Credit Union’s primary objective is to help members avoid or escape from debt by promoting a culture of saving. When we offer loans, we only do so if the borrower agrees to save a little while they repay. The establishment of a savings habit is proven to reduce the harms and risks of long-term borrowing becoming problem debt. Basically, when we get a loan application our decision is based on the following two principles:

1. Do we trust the applicant to repay the loan?

2. Can the applicant afford the loan repayment

This guide is designed to help members understand our thinking so you can best prepare if you should need to apply or re-apply for a loan.

1. Key Points in Our Assessing Trust of the Applicant

a) Has the applicant started saving? The money we lend is members savings so, especially at busy times, we have to give priority to loan applications from members who have made at least one savings payment. That first payment is good evidence that you are a real person and helps us confirm identity.

b) Proper Proof of ID & Address? What forms of proof of identity and address has the member provided? If you are able to connect your bank account through ‘open banking as art of the loan application process it a good way of proving ID. First time loans may be required to use online Open Banking.

c) Previous Borrowing History. Has the applicant borrowed and repaid us previously? Previous good repayment record supports any application.

d) Did the applicant inform us of other money owed? Failure to list all debts in the application process is likely to result in the loan application not being approved. It suggests that the applicant is either not in control of their money or not being completely honest with us and in either case we cannot put our members savings at risk by lending. Credit Reference Agency checks are used to show us what money is owed and to whom.

e) Is the member sensible with money? When we review the bank transactions of the loan applicant, we often see patterns of expenditure that suggest the applicant is not taking a sensible approach to expenditure. Changes in the way they manage their finances would suggest that the loan would not really be necessary. We want to help people be in control their finances and do not want to lend members savings to people who are not deemed sensible with the way they spend. This may be things like gambling, excessive shopping and/or eating out/takeaway food deliveries.

f) Always be ‘up front’ in your application. Honesty pays. We do not judge.

2. Key Points in Our Assessing Affordability for the Applicant

a) Is this loan in the member’s best interest? The value of the loan application in comparison with your income is a key measure of affordability. The loan interest members pay on loans pays our staff salaries, but we are not out to profit from you, rather we want members to borrow less over time and take control of their finances.

b) Positive Bank Balance at Month End? Is there money left in the members bank account at the end of the month that would be sufficient to cover the loan repayment if approved? If not, the member must explain how the loan would become affordable, for instance, by reducing expenditure in other areas.

c) Is the applicant struggling with existing debts? When we review the bank transactions of the applicant we can see income and expenditure. If the loan applicant tells us how the loan will clear other debts and reduce their expenditure this will help us understand affordability.

d) Is the purpose of the loan considered sensible? If the applicant is not paying essential bills such as mortgage or rent then a loan for a car or holiday is likely to be unwise and unaffordable.

e) Has the applicant fully explained why they need to borrow? Always feel free to email or call us explaining the circumstances that mean you need to borrow. The reasons for needing to borrow are complex, but being honest and explaining the circumstances can often help the ordinary humans on the Loans Team at the Credit Union to be able to assess trust and affordability. You briefly explaining your thinking about affordability gives us confidence that you are thinking sensibly about money, and sometimes allows us to suggest alternatives that may well be in your best interest.

f) Is the loan to clear other more expensive debts? Credit Reference Agency checks are used to show us what money is owed and to whom. If your loan application is to pay off other debts, stop and list every one of those debtors.Work out the cost of each. Consider clearing one or two at a time if its your first Credit Union loan. Pick them off one or two at a time, the most expensive first.

g) Has the applicant stopped to think about affordability? The ‘Your Money’ section of our website provides access to a budget planner which, if used and shared, gives us good evidence of affordability. Particularly helpful for loan applicants in financial stress. We hope this gives you an idea of how we decide yes or no to loan applications. The decision is by one or more other credit union members on our Loans Panel. We hope this helps you understand our thinking so you can best prepare if you should need to apply or re-apply for a loan.