Established in 1989 Companies House Number
Capital Credit Union was established in June 1989 and is one of the largest credit unions in the UK, with over 23,000 members, and assets of £38million. Offering a range of ethical financial services, membership is open to anyone living or working in East of Scotland, employed by one of their Select Partners or a member of Community Trade Union. As a financial co-operative, anyone who opens a savings account with Capital Credit Union becomes a member of the credit union.
Capital Credit union has been offering payroll deductions since the beginning, over 30 years ago. They have over 75 partnerships that has seen many members benefit from direct payroll savings. Select partner employers come from a range of different organisations. From public sector, to large and small commercial ventures, to local charities, to retailers large and small, in fact, any employer operating in our common bond area can sign up to enable their employees to save for a rainy day, access affordable credit, or a mortgage, and to build their financial future with Capital Credit Union.
The credit union has been at the forefront on many new CU initiatives including offering mortgages in 2001 to members as part of its commitment to be a full-service credit union. The first mortgages were through a partnership with one of the local authorities that wanted to support council tenants under the Governments “right to buy” home purchase scheme.
2004 saw Capital Credit Union take a lead role in the founding of the Development Education (DE) programme teaching delegates the core principles of credit unions, the philosophy behind the movement and the issues facings credit unions today. The success of the programme saw expansion into Europe in 2009 and revitalised as DEEU.
Capital became a ‘growth fund’ credit union in 2005 – opening up membership for people with fewer financial choices. Today CCU has over 5,000 members who are excluded from mainstream financial services as a result of their economic status.
In 2009 Capital Credit Union was a founder member of the National Credit Union Forum (NCUF).
2010 Capital Credit Union was one of the first amongst UK credit unions to sign for TCS Financial Solutions for its Bancs core banking system. Bancs replaced the legacy Curtains system from domestic vendor Kesho Systems.
Capital Credit Union lend support and expertise to setup the African DE programme in 2014.
2016 saw Angus Credit Union transferred to Capital Credit Union as our common bond grew and gave us the opportunity to help and support more members.
In 2020 Capital Credit Union started offering the First Home Fund, a £150 million shared equity pilot scheme to provide first-time buyers with up to £25,000 to help them buy a property that meets their needs and is located in the area where they want to live.
In February 2020, Capital Credit Union were marking their 30th anniversary celebrations with The Lord Provost of Edinburgh holding a Civic Reception. This also started a year of celebration through CCU undertaking 30 Acts of Kindness which has included delivering donations to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home or delivering food, toiletries and cleaning materials to a member who was struggling financially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this year they also handed over food donations to Tiphereth, a charity providing support to adults with autism and learning difficulties in Edinburgh.
With more than 23,000 members the credit union also opened a new office at Brunton Hall, Musselburgh this year, offering an alternative location for those wishing a face to face banking service for members living in East Lothian.
Capital Credit Union continues to develop and transform, embarking on a new digital transformation initiative. Capital won the HM Treasury Affordable Credit Challenge in March 2020 with an innovative mobile app to make it easier for people to join and engage with our credit union. The app is launching in the summer of 2020 and will be available for Android and iOS devices.
News and Clips HERE
Want to find out more?
Visit the Capital Credit Union website, or get in touch with their team:
Telephone – 0131 225 9901
Email – enquiries@capitalcreditunion.com
Copyright British Credit Union Historical Society 2018 – All rights reserved
British Credit Union Historical Society 