More people in North Wales sign up to Cambrian Savings & Loans

It’s been a tough year for many people across north Wales but as the only ethical, community-based savings and loans provider in the region, Cambrian Credit Union is recording significant membership growth.

In 2020, the credit union welcomed more than 1600 new members, extended its digital accessibility and has worked hard to keep some offices open at key times despite the Coronavirus lockdown.

General Manager Ann Francis said: “The challenges we’ve all faced in 2020 have been unprecedented and our staff have gone above and beyond to help members access savings and loans with minimal fuss despite the difficult circumstances”.

“We treat everyone as a person, not a credit score, and that person-centred approach has seen membership grow at a time when times aren’t straightforward.”

As the largest credit union in Wales, Cambrian has been issuing a greater number of smaller loans, supporting those who need a helping hand in the current economic turmoil.

From January to December 2020, they loaned £2,144,500 to 3,500 members across the region.
Cambrian has also partnered with Welsh Government to deliver Tenancy Saver Loans, enabling those struggling with debt arrears across the region keep their homes.

The majority of Cambrian’s offices stayed open on reduced hours as tighter restrictions were imposed on essential travel by the Welsh Government.

But that didn’t stop the team from opening a new branch – in the premises of a defunct Money Shop – on the High Street in Rhyl to coincide with International Credit Union Day.

During the year staff donated towards manufacturing PPE equipment to Ysgol Bryn Elian in Old Colwyn which were donated to the local NHS Staff.

They continued supporting the King’s Storehouse Foodbank in Rhyl by using their office as a collection point and also donated supplies to Ty Hapus Community Resource Centre and Ty Llywelyn Community Centre in Llandudno.

The Cambrian team participated in a virtual wedding fair to showcase their services and sponsored the Girls Under 6s through to the Ladies full team of the CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

Ann Francis added: “Cambrian Credit Union is all about community and we have certainly played our role in the locality by helping people wherever possible at this time of need.
“We look forward to the coming year in the hope community life will begin to return to normal. But whatever lies before us Cambrian Credit Union will be here serving the needs of those communities to the best of our abilities.”