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

Building financial health for a brighter tomorrow

by | Sep 30, 2021 | news |

Building financial health for a brighter tomorrow

Credit unions around the world will be celebrating International Credit Union Day on 21 October and this year’s theme is ‘Building financial health for a brighter tomorrow’.

International Credit Union Day is an annual event to commemorate the credit union movement’s impact and achievements. This year marks the 73rd anniversary and credit unions all over the world will be celebrating.

Credit unions like ours are not-for-profit financial co-operatives that provide an effective alternative to profit-making financial institutions for more than 291 million members in 118 countries. More than 86,000 credit unions exist globally, offering a wide range of financial services for their members. They are recognized as a force for positive economic and social change.

Since 1948, International Credit Union Day has been celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October. Each year, this international event provides an opportunity to remember credit union history, to promote awareness of the credit union difference and to encourage new members.

This year’s theme is ‘Building financial health for a brighter tomorrow’. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the financial well-being of credit union members around the globe. This theme highlights the way credit unions are responding to that challenge by working with members to help them rebuild their livelihoods.

Credit Union Chief Executive Martin Groombridge said: “International Credit Union Day is an annual opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution of credit unions in society. As communities all over the world begin to recover from the pandemic, the role of credit unions is more important than ever, as they help their members to get back on their feet.

“Credit unions play a vital role in building financial health for both individuals and communities, ensuring that money stays within a community, rather than ending up as profit for shareholders, and sowing the seeds for a brighter tomorrow for everyone.”

International Credit Union Day is recognised by the World Council of Credit Unions, the global trade association for credit unions and other financial co-operatives, as well as numerous national credit union trade associations and federations around the world.

On 21 October, credit unions from around the world will join forces to celebrate the day with events and activities in their local communities. Credit unions will be sharing their activities on social media using #ICUDay.

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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.