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Tel: 01932 339290 Email: info@surreysave.co.uk
Recycling for SurreySave
You can now recyle your old ink cartridges and a small contribution will be sent to SurreySave for any re-usable cartridges!
http://charityinks.co.uk/charities/charity-surrey-save-credit-union
Surrey County Council announces support for SurreySave
SurreySave Credit Union goes from strength to strength!
Surrey’s community bank, SurreySave Credit Union, met with councillors yesterday as Council Leader, Mr. David Hodge, announced a package of support for the credit union. Surrey County Council have pledged £50,000 to the new organisation to promote its services across the whole county.
Cllr. Hodge said 'We know that the recent Welfare Reform programme means that some of our residents will face difficulties and will need extra help, which is why I am delighted to announce that we will be supporting the SurreySave Credit Union with a £50,000 investment. This investment will help those families who are struggling financially in difficult times. SurreySave is also there for those who want to save and have their money put to good use in Surrey'.
Michelle Boundy, CEO of SurreySave, said 'Our experience so far shows that people of all means are struggling in the current financial climate; even those who have never had problems obtaining credit in the past now find many doors closed to them and end up turning to high cost lenders. She added SurreySave offers online membership and loan applications, with a decision within 24 hours'.
Cllr. David Wright, Chair of SurreySave said 'We are extremely grateful to Surrey County Council for their support. SurreySave is a not-for-profit community bank, and it will take a number of years for our business to become self-sustaining. We do not have the large marketing budgets of the pay-day lenders and rely on our partners helping us to promote our services'.
Michelle added that SurreySave has seen a huge demand for services in their first 12 months of operation with almost 500 members signed up, saving £400,000 and borrowing £250,000.
Notice of the 2013 Annual General Meeting
Full Agenda (34.8kb), a list of nominations for election (56.2kb) and the annual accounts (91.1kb) are available from these links.Download Further nomination (159.9kb)Download SurreySave AGM 2012 minutes (320.2kb)
Scam email warning!
Dear members,
please be aware that credit union members have recently been targeted by a scam email suggesting that they may have won a prize in a national credit union lottery.
Please see below for the ABCUL press release.
Credit union lottery scam warning
07 Jan 13
ABCUL is warning credit union members not to respond to scam emails informing them they have won prizes in a national credit union lottery which does not exist.
Emails have been sent to some credit union members fromwww.culottery.co.uk, claiming that they have won prizes in a national credit union lottery. While many credit union members are able to take part in lotteries run to raise funds for their credit union, there is no national lottery run by or for the credit union sector nationally. Members replying to the emails are likely to be asked to provide bank details and risk identity fraud and theft if they respond to requests.
The website is illustrated with pictures of alleged winners of the lottery. These are actually doctored photos taken from the Connecticut State Lottery website. A number of credit unions are listed on the site, but none are associated with any such organisation. The website also has logos of Western Union and the Big Lottery; neither organisation has anything to do with the scheme.
ABCUL Chief Executive Mark Lyonette said: “It is a sad side effect of the increasing popularity of credit unions in Britain that scammers are targeting credit union members. I would advise anyone who receives an email saying they have won a prize or requesting any information to contact their credit union and not respond to the email.”
Runnymede Borough Council is SurreySave’s latest partner
We are delighted to announce that Runnymede Borough Council is the latest partner to begin working with SurreySave to promote our services to their tenants.
In recognition that a significant number of residents in Runnymede are financially excluded, and often end up paying high costs for borrowing money, Runnymede Council has recently agreed to support us to extend operations into the borough.
Housing Chairman, Cllr John Furey, says: “It is recognised that those who can least afford it often end up paying the most for credit, and that applies particularly to the Council’s 3,000 tenants. It is for this reason that I am pleased that the Council was able to approve set up funding to help launch Surrey Save in the borough, thus giving residents access to a more affordable source of credit”
In partnership with Waverley BC
The team at Surrey’s new community bank, SurreySave Credit Union, visited Waverley council recently to thank them for their support and explain how this fast-growing cooperative is fighting back against pay-day lenders and loan sharks.
Michelle Dollard, CEO of SurreySave, said that “our experience so far shows that people of all means are struggling in the current financial climate; even those who have never had problems obtaining credit in the past now find many doors closed to them and end up turning to high cost lenders.” She added “SurreySave offers online membership and loan applications, with a decision within 24 hours.”
SurreySave Credit Union is a co-operative, owned and controlled by its members. It provides fair and affordable financial services to all who live or work in Surrey or Kingston. Its fast-growing membership has reached over 450 and it has given out over £135,000 in loans.
Cllr. Mike Band, a member of the Board of Directors of the credit union, said “Credit unions are a community resource – a place where people can save and know that their money stays and works in the local community.”
Cllr. David Wright, Chair of SurreySave said “We are extremely grateful to Waverley BC for all the support they have given us. SurreySave is a not-for-profit community bank, and it will take a number of years for our business to become self-sustaining. In the meantime we rely on our partners for their support that enables us to provide a much needed affordable alternative to high cost lenders and main stream banking“.
As a credit union, SurreySave is regulated by the Financial Services Authority and all deposits are covered by the Financial Services Compensation scheme. For a £3 annual membership fee SurreySave offers:
- * online applications so there’s no need to travel to the branch
- * a friendly service with quick decisions
- * no hidden charges
In partnership with Woking BC
Surrey’s new community bank, SurreySave Credit Union, welcomed Jonathan Lord MP and Cllr. John Kingsbury to their Woking headquarters recently to thank them for their support and explain how this fast-growing cooperative is fighting back against pay-day lenders and loan sharks.
Michelle Dollard, CEO of SurreySave, said that “our experience so far shows that people of all means are struggling in the current financial climate; even those who have never had problems obtaining credit in the past now find many doors closed to them and end up turning to high cost lenders.” She added “SurreySave offers online membership and loan applications, with a decision within 24 hours.”
SurreySave Credit Union is a co-operative, owned and controlled by its members. It provides fair and affordable financial services to all who live or work in Surrey or Kingston.
Jonathan said “I am pleased to support a community organisation that provides much needed accessible financial services at a time when so many people are struggling financially. I like it that any money saved with SurreySave or repaid through loan interest stays and works in the local community”.
Cllr. David Wright, Chair of SurreySave said “We are extremely grateful to Woking BC for all the support they have given us. SurreySave is a not-for-profit community bank, and it will take a number of years for our business to become self-sustaining. In the meantime we rely on our partners for their support that enables us to provide a much needed affordable alternative to high cost lenders and main stream banking“.
John said “The impending changes to welfare benefits will make it more important than ever that people are helped to manage their money. SurreySave offers affordable finance, encourages savings, and enables people to take control of their cash”.
As a credit union, SurreySave is regulated by the Financial Services Authority and all deposits are covered by the Financial Services Compensation scheme. SurreySave offers:
- * online applications so there’s no need to travel to the branch
- * a friendly service with quick decisions
- * no hidden charges.
- * no early repayment penalties
- * free loan protection and life savings protection
- * Cheaper loan rates than traditional high-cost lenders
Christmas clampdown on loan sharks
A campaign to warn people against turning to loan sharks and where to get help if they are victims of illegal money lenders has been launched in the run-up to Christmas.
England’s Illegal Money Lending Team, in partnership with Kingston Council, has launched the seasonal campaign to combat loan sharks.
Illegal lenders offer loans which can prove impossible to repay. They prey on people when they are at their most vulnerable and often use threats and violence against those who fall behind with payments.
Through enforcement, education and raising awareness, the Illegal Money Lending Team aims to end this crime and encourage people not to turn to illegal money lenders.
Cllr Simon James, Kingston Council’s Lead Member for Sustainable Place, said:
“The message this Christmas is clear – what may seem like a small loan to tide you over could end up costing you well into the New Year. The effect is not just financial – loan sharks can have a devastating impact on families.
“Christmas can be a tough time financially for many households. However, no matter how much you are struggling, loan sharks are not the answer. If you have fallen victim to an illegal money lender or have information that could help prevent this crime we urge you to get in touch with the Illegal Money Lending Team.”
Credit unions, like Kingston Savers – run by Kingston Voluntary Action and backed by Kingston Council – are a safe and legal way to borrow money. To find out more about Kingston Savers email kingston.savers@kva.org.uk, call 020 8255 3335 or visitwww.surreysave.co.uk.
If you have been the victim of a loan shark or to report loan shark activity call 0300 555 2222 to speak to the Illegal Money Lending Team in confidence. Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the festive season.
Alternatively, text ‘Loan shark’ with your message to 60003, email reportaloanshark@
A video of real victims’ stories highlighting the impact of loan sharks is available: Watch the video on YouTube.
Zac Goldsmith joins SurreySave!
The Member of Parliament for Richmond Park and North Kingston, Zac Goldsmith MP, has signed up for membership.
Witnessed by Michael Green, Development Consultant, Michelle Dollard CEO SurreySave, Chris Carlisle, Director of SurreySave, Mr Goldsmith became part of the local mutual bank.
Mr Goldsmith commented “I am proud to formally become a member of SurreySave and to continue to support the good work this local credit union does. The success in bringing a credit union to the royal borough is a testament to what can happen when local people come together. I know that Kingston Voluntary Action, the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the volunteers of the Kingston Savers support group and individuals across the social, cultural and political spectrum worked hard to make this happen. Successive governments have done their part with some recent reforms but in the end it is the dedication of local people to ensure credit union services are available to Kingston residents that won through”.
Michelle Dollard, CEO, who has always been a member of a credit union and feels strongly about the positive impact they have on the community said: “Saving your money with SurreySave means it stays and works in the local community in the form of loans. We offer instant loans, with a quick online application process and we don’t simply base our decision on credit history but on the person’s current situation and ability to repay. People have a right to affordable credit and we’re grateful to Kingston Council for their support which is helping SurreySave to reach out to more communities.”
Chris Carlisle added “We now have a credit union open to all who live or work in Kingston and Surrey. This is a “not for profit” co-operative which is community based, providing fair and affordable financial services to all its members. We thank Zac Goldsmith for showing his support and look forward to him being a very satisfied member and champion for our credit union”.
