On April 23rd 1982, a Saver Group was launched with just 15 members and the first collection produced a total of £75 in share savings. We registered as Nelson Community Credit Union (NCCU) on August 31st in the same year.
On the 5th of February 1991 at the Annual General Meeting held at the St. Georges Social centre 1991 a Declaration of dividend was declared by the board of 6.75%.
122 members along with representatives from British leukaemia Research Association, Kirkholt Credit Union, Farther Bernard Charnock, Burnley General, Burnley West and from St. George’s third world group.
2004 Founding member, Lou Gildea, retired as President after 23 years – succeeded by Vice-president Gerard Spain
2004 Nelson Credit Union moved from St Georges Social Centre to Christ Church, on Cross St, a stone’s throw from the current Nelson branch. A pivotal moment in the Credit Union’s development, saw Gordon Prentice MP and Mayor Dorothy Lord officially cutting the ribbon on a new paragraph in PCCU history.
Sep 2005 Loans granted in any one financial year top £1,000,000 for the first time.
October 2005 Having enjoyed success after success, it was agreed that the benefits of NCCU should be available to the whole of Pendle, and in October 2005 NCCU merged with Colne & District Credit Union to form Pendle Community Credit Union.
April 23rd 2007 Lou and Mary Gildea retired as Directors of PCCU – 25 years to the day since the inaugural meeting.
March 2010 Pendle Credit Union opened its first branch to be bought and renovated at 54 Manchester Road. The Credit Union are still operating from this premise today.
November 2011 Pendle Credit Union open the Colne Branch at Shackleton Hall, a Grade Two listed building and former Colne and District Co-operative Society headquarters.
September 2012 saw us expand again as Pennine Community Credit Union to cover Burnley.
On the 1st October 2013 Pendle Community Credit Union officially merged with Burnley Area Community Credit Union to create Pennine Community Credit Union. The growing Credit Union was located at Calico Homes headquarters until 2018.
Now well over 5,600 adult members have collective savings of over £4.3 million, and since its creation we have lent out over £35 million to local people! PCCU’s assets now amount to more than £4.9 million.
March 2014 PCCU were extremely proud to see founder member and Emeritus President Lou Gildea presented with the ‘Pioneer Award’ at the ABCUL Conference. Lou was an inspirational man who worked tirelessly for PCCU, setting strong foundations for us to build on. Without Lou and Mary we would not have the Credit Union we have today, which has helped so many people in the community.
The Tracy Slane Award in 2017 has been presented to Debbie Smith-Hands at the ABCUL Annual General Meeting in Manchetser. Debbie started working with PCCU as an administrative assistant in 2013. The award is presented each year to a young person who has made an outstanding contribution to their credit union. The award is dedicated to the memory of Tracy Slane, who worked as ABCUL’s Conference Officer until her untimely death in 2004 at the age of 25.
In 2017 PCCU formed a partnership with local social enterprise SPE Furnishings to offer an ethical and affordable alternative to the pay weekly stores. SPE Furnishings sold new branded furniture from high street names, paint and electricals in Briercliffe Road, Burnley. The social enterprise used the profits made in store to operate the local food bank and contribute to the street soccer programme. PCCU were invited in store to offer affordable finance on furniture.
November 2018 saw the official opening of the newly purchased and renovated 48 St James’s Street Burnley branch. Speeches were heard from Councillor Charlie Briggs the Mayor of Burnley, Julie Cooper MP for Burnley and representatives from credit unions across the UK including Karen Bennett, President of ABCUL.
A record in savings, loans issued and overall lending were milestones that were celebrated at PCCU in 2018. The credit union announced that collective savings have surpassed the £6m mark for the first time, staff issued its 34,000th loan and overall lending reaching £50m.
In 2020 the Credit Union continued to grow, whilst introducing new technology such as the Nivo app to compliment the online accounts area. Nivo is a secure instant-messaging app for Android and iPhones, enabling account holders to talk to PCCU securely in a fast and convenient way. Account holders can ask questions, make savings withdrawals, complete loan applications or update information regarding their accounts.
At the start of 2021 Pennine Community Credit Union held over £10million in collective savings, had £6.3million on loan to the local community. Pennine Community Credit Union mergered with Colne & District Credit Union opening its new Colne branch in 2021.
2022 sees the credit union Having the 40th Annual general Meeting at Burnley Football Club’s 1882 Lounge
Affinity Credit Union has merged With the credit union in order to achieve greater sustainability and service provision for its combined member base. In the first 6 months, PCCU have loaned its new Cumbria community over £1m in affordable loans. Saving individual’s and their families over £876,000 in interest compared to a high-cost lenders.
News and Clips HERE
Want to find out more?
Visit the Pennine Community Credit Union website, or get in touch with their team:
Telephone – 01282 691 333
Email – enquiries@pccu.co.uk
Copyright British Credit Union Historical Society 2018 – All rights reserved
British Credit Union Historical Society 