Credit unions

Alison Prince gives some useful advice:

Fed up with your bank? Credit unions are a practical alternative. They work as a co-operative fund, helping people who need a hand and providing a very secure home for any funds you don’t immediately need. The good thing about them is that they are local and give real help to people. Any spare cash you have will be in absolutely safe hands, accessible whenever you want it – they provide a pre-paid envelope – and none of it gets mopped up as anyone’s profit. You won’t get dividend, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping in a small way to alleviate poverty and give people the chance of a new start. You’ll never know who benefits, of course, since confidentiality is scrupulously respected, but you’ll belong to a big group of people who are not fixed on the idea of private gain. A credit union is not a charity. It’s a properly regulated business, but the difference is, it exists for the benefit of its members.

Arran’s nearest credit union is at 147 Main Street, Kilwinning KA13 6EQ. Have a look at their website or give them a call on 01294 557123. You’ll find them a friendly lot.