Statistics

According to the latest FSA unaudited figures for June 2009, there are:

. 704,537 adult credit union members
. 99,613 children and young people saving with a credit union
. Over £556 million in savings in credit unions, and
. Over £450 million in outstanding loans.

At September 2009, ABCUL credit unions had:

. 568,776 adult members, and
. Nearly £473 million in shares.

Compared with September 08, this represents:

. an 8.5% increase in membership, and
. growth in deposits of over 15% -

A report by Liverpool John Moores University - Breaking through to the future - in 2008 noted that, in the decade to 2007, credit unions experienced massive growth including:

. 170% increase in membership
. 318% increase in savings
. 298% increase in loans, and
. 351% increase in assets.

Internationally, the credit union movement is a leading provider of ethical financial services:

. 97 countries
. Over 53,000 credit unions with over 185 million members
. Close to $1.2 trillion in assets

Market penetration in some countries is significantly greater than that in the UK:


Country	Market Penetration	Total Assets (USD)	Average Assets (USD)
Ireland	75.4%	20,052,172,916	39,865,154
USA	44.3%	896,823,977,926	116,349,763
Canada	47%	229,693,740,409	243,062,159
Australia	24%	42,172,247,180	379,530,154
Great Britain	2%	1,072,321,685	2,220,127

See www.woccu.org for further information on the international movement.

ABCUL: Credit unions welcome progress on legislation

ABCUL – the Association of British Credit Unions – has welcomed steps taken in Parliament this week which will see increased access to safe and ethical financial services in communities and workplaces across the country.

Credit union delight at £73 million Government boost

Mark Lyonette, Chief Executive of ABCUL - the Association of British Credit Unions, has welcomed today's announcement that the Government is investing up to £73 million in credit unions over the next four years, and that the Post Office could play a central role in delivering credit union services.

ABCUL: Now there's an easier way to find your local credit union

Around 80% of people in England, Scotland and Wales can join a credit union because of where they live, work or the organisations they're members of, and this is growing all the time. Now there's one place where they can find out about the credit unions they can use.

ABCUL: Credit unions welcome Post Office plans

ABCUL - the Association of British Credit Unions - has welcomed today's policy statement from The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) on its plans to secure the long term future of the Post Office.

ABCUL: Credit unions can help increase diversity in financial services

Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference, Mark Lyonette explained how credit unions now serve nearly a million people in England, Scotland and Wales and sought reassurance from Financial Services.