Chester & District Housing Trust
Northgate Street
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The most frequently asked questions are detailed in this section. In addition, there is information on local membership points in the west Cheshire area.
If you can't find the information you need on this website please contact our main office on 01244 399006
One of our aims as West Cheshire Credit Union is to provide access to our services in the heart of the community.
As West Cheshire Credit Union expands and grows its membership, our vision is to have membership points district wide, from the urban areas of Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston to outlying rural villages.
Chester Area
Ellesmere Port & Neston Area
What is a Credit Union?
A Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial co-operative whose membership is open to anyone who qualifies under the registered rules and the common bond of either working or living in West Cheshire. Credit Unions are run by members, for the members, and offer a convenient savings and low interest loans service. Savings are kept and used within the community, giving us more power over the money in our pockets and more choices over where we spend it. This benefits local businesses and helps to strengthen the local economy in a sustainable way.
Who runs the Credit Union?
Once a Credit Union has been established in the community by a ‘steering committee’, officers are elected from among the members to run the Credit Union. All Credit Unions are registered in accordance with the Credit Unions Act 1979. All officers and volunteers sign a declaration of confidentiality, so all members’ information is kept totally confidential at all times. A qualified auditor prepares the Annual Audit Report which is submitted to the members at their Annual General Meeting.
Is my money safe?
Yes: we are members of the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL) and we are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) which is the same authority that regulates the high street banks. The Credit Union is covered by the same Financial Services Compensation Scheme that covers banks and building societies. This scheme means that savers money is fully protected upto a value of £85,000 in the vent of the collapse of the Credit Union.
How do I save?
Credit Unions encourage their members to save, however small the amount. They operate friendly and accessible collection points, at times and in places which are most suitable for their members. You can choose to save weekly or monthly.
How do I make withdrawals?
Members can withdraw their Credit Union savings after a small notice period, provided they are not pledged as security on a loan. However, you are encouraged to keep your savings intact to maintain your capacity to borrow.
Do you offer loans?
Loans are granted to members of the Credit Union on the basis of their saving record, their capacity to repay and according to the Loans Policy of the Credit Union. Repayment is through the same local collection points. You can take out affordable loans once you have been saving with us – contact us for more information relating to this. Are there any hidden costs? There are NO hidden fees or costs involved in transactions with the Credit Union. All transactions are also confidential.
What is in it for me?
We can honestly say that joining the Credit Union is good for the individual and the whole community. The whole ethos of the Credit Union is to keep the money in the local area which in turn helps to boost local shops and businesses and in so doing this makes the local community stronger and more self sufficient. The nature of credit unions at large is for people to help people.
The following links are ones you may find useful - keep checking this page for helpful new websites we find...
Blacon community trust
Lache Park Limited
Citizens Advice Bureau
Chester Volunteers Bureau
Sellafield (Capenhurst) Ltd
Chester and District Housing Trust
Cheshire West and Chester Council
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