By Malcolm Brown, director of mission and public affairs for the Church of England, writes for Responsible Finance’s website:
The credit union movement is well established, has tremendous potential coverage, but sometimes lacks a public profile. Credit Unions are too often seen as “anti-poverty strategies” rather than as opportunities which can serve all sorts of people well. They can also, we were told, lack suitably experienced people to run them and sometimes need more physical outlets so that more of the people embraced by the Common Bond can actually make good use of what is offered.
To increase awareness and buy-in, we are developing our own Credit Union for clergy and church staff, working in partnership with the Church of Scotland. When this is launched next July, it will gradual create a cadre of church workers who benefit from, and can therefore be more effective advocates for, Credit Unions.
