Borrowing from a credit union

Credit unions are community savings and loan cooperatives, where members pool their savings to lend to one another and might help to run the credit union. A cooperative is an organisation which is owned by and run for the benefit of the members who use its services. All credit unions offer savings and loan accounts while some (usually larger credit unions) may also offer extra products and services.

What are credit unions?

Credit unions are community finance organisations run by and for their members.

There are several main features of a credit union:

  • People who save or borrow through one must have a common bond. They might live in the same area, work for the same employer or have the same profession. They can also be members of the same church or trade union.
  • They’re run on a ‘not for profit’ basis. Instead of paying a profit to shareholders, they use the money they make to reward their members and improve their services.
  • They can be large or small; some have thousands of members while others are much smaller.
  • Like bank and building society accounts, your money is protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) – up to £85,000, or £170,000 for joint accounts.

Why go to a credit union?

Credit unions operate with three main aims:

  • to provide loans at low rates
  • to encourage all members to save regularly
  • to help members in need of financial advice and assistance.

There’s also a cap on the amount of interest they can charge on their loans of 3% a month or 42.6% a year APR. The cap in Northern Ireland is 1% a month, or 12.68% a year APR.

Borrowing through a credit union

The money the union holds in savings and current accounts is lent out to other members who need to borrow money at an affordable rate.

In the UK, credit unions are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulatory Authority.

Loans

To get a loan from a credit union, you might need to have been a member for a certain period of time, or have already built up some savings in a credit union account.

In England, Scotland and Wales, there’s a cap on the amount of interest that credit unions can charge on their loans of 3% a month or 42.6% a year APR. The cap in Northern Ireland is 1% a month, or 12.68% a year APR.

There are no hidden charges with credit union loans and no penalties if you repay the loan early.

As with any lender, you’ll be expected to repay your loan as agreed.

Most credit unions can lend for up to a maximum ten years on an unsecured loan and up to 35 years on a secured loan (where they’ll lend against something like your property or car). Not all credit unions will offer longer term loans.

How to borrow from a credit union

The first step is to find a credit union you can join and become a member.

How to pay back your loan

You can pay back your loan in several different ways, although some credit unions might not offer all methods. You can do this:

  • by making payments face-to-face
  • by Direct Debit from your bank account
  • through you wages at work — if your employer has links to the credit union, you can pay back your loan by having money taken straight out of your wages
  • through Paypoint — some credit unions issue Paypoint cards which you can use to pay back your loan at your local shops
  • direct payments from your benefits – some credit unions take benefit payments such as Child Benefit directly and deduct your monthly loan repayment from your entitlement.
Thank you for your feedback.
We’re always trying to improve our website and services, and your feedback helps us understand how we’re doing.
Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website
Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website
Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website
Talk to us live for…
Talk to us live for…
Talk to us live for pensions guidance using…
Talk to us live for money guidance using…
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed

Calls from the UK are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Talk to us live for money guidance using the telephone.
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:8.00am – 6.00pm
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed

Calls from the UK are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Use our travel insurance directory to get a list of specialist providers you can contact directly, as we can't give you quotes.

Need further help? If you’ve used the directory or you need further help to find an insurer, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association can link you with a broker. Call: 0370 950 1790

If you’ve missed payments and are struggling with debt, call us and press 1 to speak to one of our debt advice partners. Hours
  • Mon - Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm
  • Sat Sun and bank holidays: Closed

Calls from the UK are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Our specialists are here to support you over the phone. Hours
  • Mon - Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm
  • Sat-Sun and Bank Holidays Closed

Calls from the UK are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Talk to us live for pensions guidance using web chat
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed
Talk to us live for money guidance using webchat
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:8.00am – 6.00pm
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed
Talk to us for pensions guidance using our web form

We aim to respond within 5 working days

Talk to us for money guidance using our web form

We aim to respond within 2 working days

Talk to us live for money guidance using WhatsApp

Download app: WhatsApp

For help sorting out your debt or credit questions. For everything else please contact us via Webchat or telephone.