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

Membership is open to anyone in Great Britain.

To join you must meets the regulators requirements:

 

Individual

Join the credit union as an
individual member to start
benefitting from our
great services

JOIN NOW

Our Rules

Download a copy of the credit union rules

Download a copy now

We will ask for

hidden
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Proof of ID and Address
It is a requirement of the Regulators that we have proof of ID and proof of address held on record for all members. Members will be asked provide two recent items with your name and address from the list below. Originals are not necessarily required, so this can be done by emailing a scanned image or digital photo to us at info@creditunion.coop , or by fax, post or by visiting the office (see bottom of email for details).

  • Address and ID Proof
  • current signed passportEU National ID Cards
  • current full UK photo card driving licence
  • current full UK driving licence (old style paper version)
  • UK provisional photocard driving licence
  • construction industry – tax exemption certificate with photograph of holder
  • student identification/matriculation card (from a recognised university or college) for current academic year
  • benefits book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency/DWP/JCP
  • UK armed force ID card or police warrant card
  • disabled driver’s pass
  • OAP travel pass
  • Residency permit for foreign, non EU nationals
  • original HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence.
  • NHS medical card
  • birth certificate
  • Council Tax bill or payment book (within last 12 months)
  • utility bill – within last 6 months (mobile phone bills, internet access bills are not acceptable)
  • bank/building society/credit card statement (within last 6 months)
  • original mortgage statement (no more than 12 months old)
  • benefits book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency / DWP /JCP
  • current motor or home insurance certificate issued within the last 12 months
  • current local Council rent card or tenancy agreement (private tenancy agreements are not acceptable)
  • original HM Revenue & Customs tax notification and correspondence
  • solicitor’s letter confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation

 

For students and 20 year olds and under only

  • university/college letter of acceptance/enrolment/offer
  • Student Loan Company/LEA or UCAS letter
  • Introduction from recognised UK College/University
hidden
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
National Insurance Number
If you haven’t got a National Insurance Number please get in touch.

Other Types of Membership

Young Savers

Whether you are looking to open
an account for a child, grandchild
or looking to encourage your
children to open their own
account, we can help.

JOIN NOW

Corporate

Corporate membership is designed for longer term ethical investment deposits. Businesses, charities, and formally constituted voluntary groups in Barnet, Brent, Camden, City of London, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey,
Islington or Waltham Forest can join.

Contact us at info@credit-union.coop for an information pack,

The Jeremy Hopgood Rooms, Caxton House, 129 St John's Way, Archway, London N19 3RQ
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.

© 2026 LCCU  |  Complaints  |  Privacy Policy

© 2026 LCCU  |  Complaints  |  Privacy Policy

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.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This