Citysave Credit Union is thrilled to announce its recognition as Community Business/Cooperative of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Social Economy Awards. This honour highlights Citysave’s commitment to promoting financial inclusion and empowering communities through ethical, member-focused financial services.

The award, presented at a gala ceremony in Birmingham, celebrates Citysave’s outstanding contributions to social value, innovative service delivery, and unwavering dedication to its members. Operating at the heart of its community, Citysave has made a tangible difference by delivering products and support designed to improve financial resilience and inclusion.

Sean Lynch, CEO of Citysave Credit Union, expressed his pride and gratitude:
“This award is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our members. At Citysave, we believe in building financial stability for our communities through cooperation and compassion. Being recognized for these efforts is deeply humbling and motivates us to continue innovating and serving. Thank you to the Social Economy Awards for this honour and to everyone who makes Citysave what it is today.”

Citysave’s impact is demonstrated not only in its financial products but also in its educational initiatives and partnerships that address critical issues such as debt reduction, saving for the future, and responsible borrowing. Winning this award underscores the power of the cooperative model in creating sustainable, positive change.

Citysave Credit Union would like to thank its members, partners, and staff for their continued support and contribution to its success. Together, we look forward to driving even greater impact in the years ahead.
For more information on how Citysave can support your business, please contact:

Sean Lynch
Sean.lynch@citysave.org.uk

The post Citysave Credit Union Wins Community Business/Cooperative of the Year at the 2024 Social Economy Awards appeared first on Citysave.

A branch in your pocket!

Don’t forget to download our app

Our new mobile app is available to download from the relevant app store.

You will be able to view your balances, make share withdrawal requests, update your details and much more!

Please note – You will need to create new online login credentials using your existing member number and your old online member area credentials will no longer work. You are not required to re-join the credit union.

The details you use for the new app will also work for the new members area on the website

The post A Branch in your Pocket appeared first on Citysave.

Citysave recently visited North Warwickshire Borough Council House to attend the Cost-of-Living Engagement Forum with several other support agencies in the region. At the event the Chief Executive for the council pledged to join Citysave.

Steve Maxey – Chief Executive said “The council is very proud of the employee benefit scheme in place with Citysave helping to support our employees with their financial needs. Making it easier for employees to save and build up financial resilience is a fundamental part of our wider employee wellbeing agenda. I hope by becoming a member of Citysave, I can encourage other staff in the council to do the same”

Citysave had been invited to the event to distribute information about how the Credit Union can have a positive impact on both the local community and the employees of North Warwickshire Borough Council.

Sean Lynch – CEO said “Citysave has been operating for 34 years and is now one of the largest Credit Unions in the region. We have a rich history of supporting council employees as we were originally founded by Birmingham City Council in 1988. Financial resilience is very much in the spotlight currently; the products and services Citysave offer tackle that issue directly. It is such a powerful statement to get the Chief Executive joining the credit union and becoming part of our story”

The Money and Pension Service released a report on 27th September 2022 – Nation of Savers: A report from the UK Adult Financial Wellbeing Survey which stated: “Being a ‘regular saver’ is an important steppingstone to improving financial wellbeing. In conjunction with other attitudes and behaviours with money, it can make a big difference to people’s lives”

The article also states: “In the delivery plans for the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing, we are focused on taking forward three recommendations to build a Nation of Savers among working age adults on low-to-modest incomes” one of which is expanding the provision of workplace (payroll) savings. To view the article click here

Citysave has been working with employers across the Birmingham and Warwickshire region for 34 years. The scheme is completely free, and the Credit Union handles most of the admin on behalf of the employer

To find out more and get in touch click here

The post North Warwickshire Borough Council is supporting its employee’s financial wellbeing appeared first on Citysave.

Last year the Financial Inclusion Centre published new research report called Getting Workforces Saving: Payroll Schemes with Credit Unions

The research looked at the scheme with two major employers in the Yorkshire region and the researchers we able to conclude the following:

• Payroll savings is effective at encouraging positive savings behaviours and promoting financial resilience amongst lower-medium income workers. The research found these workers were typically saving £50-70 a month.
• Backing payroll savings could make a significant contribution to Money and Pension Services strategic goal of getting two million more people who are either squeezed or struggling to start to save by 2030

In addition to the report, the centre make over 40 Policy recommendations. Some of which include:

• Urge the UK government, and governments of the nations of the UK, to adopt payroll saving as a key policy priority
• Government and the Confederation of British Industries (CBI) should actively engage the largest private sector employers in each UK region
• The British Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) should promote payroll savings amongst their members
• An aspiration that all employers offer payroll savings for their workforces – every employer, no matter what their size, should consider a payroll scheme an essential component of their workforce financial wellbeing / staff benefits offer

Citysave has been offering Payroll deduction to the employees of Birmingham and Warwickshire for over 30 years. We have a proven track record of delivering this staff benefit to Public, Private and the Third Sector. To find out more about how we can help your Financial Wellbeing Agenda, click here

The post Getting Workforces Saving appeared first on Citysave.

Dear Citysave Member,

Citysave Credit Union Annual General Meeting

Trading year September 2022/23

Date: Monday 18th March 2024

Time:  6-7pm

Venue: Online via Microsoft Teams

(a link for the meeting will be shared with registered attendees closer to the date of the meeting)

Order of Business at the Annual General Meeting (Rule 43)

• Ascertain a quorum is present as per Rule 46 (Chair)
• Approval of the minutes of the last annual general meeting
• Board report
• Treasurer’s report
• Auditor’s report
• Declaration of surplus available for distribution and a Board of Directors recommendation of application of same
• Chief Officer report
• Supervisor’s report
• Appointment of auditors
• Motions
• Elections of Directors

If you wish to attend the AGM, please register your interest by e-mailing enquiries@citysave.org.uk. Please provide your full name and membership number.

A copy of the draft accounts for the trading year alongside the motions proposed will be sent directly to members who register for the event.

The minutes for last years AGM can be found here

The post Citysave AGM 2024 appeared first on Citysave.

Citysave have had another successful year raising money for our chosen charity. With most of our staff being passionate animal owners, we decided to raise money for Wythall Animal Rescue​ who are based in Birmingham.

The Sanctuary help neglected, mistreated and homeless animals find a second chance of love. We hope our donation of £200 will ensure the animals get the support they need!

Thank you to all our staff who helped raise these funds

The post Citysave donates to local charity appeared first on Citysave.

The post Credit Unions: The ethical alternative to Payday Loans appeared first on Citysave.

We are delighted, as part of our planned improvements, to be fully operational in our new Home in Central Birmingham, which enables us to further protect our customer data. Huge thank you to Sean Lynch for the project planning and implementation. We are now even better equipped to provide straightforward, ethical financial services, through modern Telephony and Online channels to the people of Birmingham. Further enhancements to our online servicing are planned and it is great to see the business investing for the future. Please note our Telephone number and P.O Box address are unchanged.

The post Citysave – Our new home! appeared first on Citysave.

‘88% of respondents thought that their credit union provided good (38%) or very good (50%) value services.’

The Financial Inclusion Centre have created a report based on a survey, researching credit union members’ financial capability, their attitude towards the credit union and more.

If you’re not already a member why not apply and start saving today? Click Here

The post Insight into Credit Union Membership appeared first on Citysave.