Cardiff & Vale Credit Union originally began as South Glamorgan County Council Staff Credit Union in September 1996.
As the name suggests, the original credit union provided services exclusively for employees of South Glamorgan Council. Following local government re-organisation, the name changed in 1998 to Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Council Staff Credit Union, and again in 2002, to Paysaver (Cardiff & the Vale) Credit Union.
In subsequent years, the credit union broadened its membership by incorporating smaller community credit unions, including:
- 2003 – CPL, Llanrumney and Fairwater & District Credit Unions
- 2004 – Ely (Cardiff) and Taff (Cardiff) Credit Unions
- 2006 – First Welsh Business Credit Union
- 2008 – Vale of Glamorgan Credit Union
Following the incorporation of these community credit unions and the name change to Cardiff & Vale Credit Union, the organisation’s membership gradually became more balanced. Today, they have over 7,000 members, with an equal split between members who join through a payroll scheme with their employers, and members who join us directly.
In 2013, the credit union agreed a radical strategic vision for the future, including considerably increased membership and modernising services for members across all communities in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan, and staff who work for our payroll partners.
Demonstrating their commitment to growth and inclusivity, they moved offices in 2013 from County Hall to Marland House in Cardiff city centre, and opened a pop-up office in Barry at 21 Holton Road. These moves have allowed the credit union to deliver more accessible services, and welcome many new members to their local revolution for ethical savings and affordable loans.
In 2022 Cardiff & Vale Credit Union has grown from a small credit union sited in the basement of Cardiff’s County Hall, to a financial co-op that has more than doubled in membership, with two prominent branches one in a prime position in the city centre of Cardiff, and the second in the heart of Barry.
The Credit Union became a Real Living Wage employer, achieving Chwarae Teg Fair Play accreditation for gender diversity, being named Social Enterprise of the Year at the Cardiff Business Awards and becoming the first financial services provider in Wales to receive a five-star accreditation by the Fairbanking Foundation for its personal loans.
News and Clips HERE
Want to find out more?
Visit the Cardiff & Vale Credit Union website, or get in touch with their team:
Telephone – 02920 872373
Email – ccu@cardiffcu.com
Copyright British Credit Union Historical Society 2018 – All rights reserved
British Credit Union Historical Society 