01 October 2024
Merthyr Credit Union Celebrating 25 Years Supporting Local Communities
On 3rd October 2024 we’ll have been providing savings and loans to our members for 25 years. We started small, a weekly collection point in Pontmorlais, at the top of Merthyr Tydfil town centre, fast forward 25 years and we now own, our own premises in Merthyr High Street.
We’ve grown to over 6,200 members including junior savers and have extended our common bond from just Merthyr Tydfil to now include those living or working in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Members make us what we are
Behind every number is a person or a family who we’ve supported. Since October 1999, we’ve made Christmas’s less stressful, taken away money worries ahead of new school terms, and been there for a range of life’s emergencies from broken down cars to replacing furniture and household appliances.
It’s hard to sum up 25 years in a paragraph, but one of our members did just that in our recent Member feedback survey
‘Merthyr Tydfil Credit Union have been there when I needed them. What started out as a savings program for the kids in school, then turned into a savings club from my employer and they have since enabled us to buy a new car through a loan and we continue to save monthly with them. Easy access to your savings when you need it and a really great team to assist with advice and queries (when you forget your password 😊) the new mobile app is brilliant too. Just makes everything available whenever you need it. Thanks.’
MoneyWorks Wales – payroll deduction
Our MoneyWorks Wales (payroll deduction) scheme has been an integral part of the Credit Union’s growth and continues to be a popular way for our members to save and borrow with us, directly from their wages. As recent feedback from one of our MoneyWorks members showed.
“Staff have been so friendly and helpful. Makes it very easy to save. As an employee of a local organisation, I want to ensure my money stays local, and the ethical purpose of Merthyr Credit Union fits with my own values. There is so much flexibility in withdrawing and investing, and knowing that my money is helping local people access lower cost credit is a huge positive. Thank you to everyone in MTBCU.”
Supporting our members through challenging times
The past 4 years have been very challenging with both Covid19 and the cost-of-living crisis changing the way we work and increasing the need for our services.
Merthyr Credit Union has adapted to meet our members’ evolving needs and support their financial well–being. We’ve seen significant changes and developments in technology. So last year we launched the Merthyr Tydfil Borough Credit Union app. Allowing members to check balances, apply for loans, transfer money and more.
Again, reflected in our recent Members Feedback survey “it’s handy to check your balances, easier to make withdrawals and access to your savings when you need them, I couldn’t recommend the new mobile app enough’
Reflecting on the last 25 years, Hefin Jones, Chairman said “A lot has changed since October 1999 and we are proud of our journey. We want to say a big thank you to our members, board, volunteers, partners and staff, past and present who continue to make a difference to our members by offering affordable credit and a range of savings.
The communities in Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf have benefitted from those who had the vision and came together to set up the credit union as an alternative to the high number of loan sharks in the Merthyr area.’
Delyth Shearing, Chief Executive added “After the challenges and changes of the past few years, it’s good to look back during this 25th anniversary year and see how far the Credit Union has come and the individuals and families we’ve supported.
“Without our savers, we wouldn’t have the resources to support those we lend to and we want to say a big thank to everyone who had supported us during the last 25 years.
It has been vital that we adapt to change in the right way; taking steps to keep up with technology while remaining accessible for all our members and I believe we have the right balance. I’m looking forward to celebrating our achievements and to the next 25 years, ensuring Merthyr Tydfil Borough Credit Union keeps supporting and making even more of a difference to our members in future.’
If you want to join its FREE, search Merthyr Tydfil Credit Union in you App Store, download our App, select join and start saving and borrowing today or call into 139 High Street, Merthyr Tydfil for a Membership form, were open 9.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday.
Keep up to date with our 25-year celebrations, and all the latest Merthyr Credit Union news, by following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
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