15/10/2026
Happy International Credit Union Day!
Credit unions help people access safe, responsible borrowing and build a more secure financial future.
But loan sharks exploit people who may be struggling, using threats and illegal lending practices that can have a devastating impact on individuals and families.
If you think you’ve borrowed from a loan shark, contact Stop Loan Sharks on 0300 555 2222 for confidential help and support.
💙 Happy International Credit Union Day! 💙
Today we’re celebrating the fantastic work credit unions do in communities across England, helping people save for the future and borrow safely.
We’re proud to work closely with credit unions to help reduce the risk of people turning to loan sharks.
Through our savings incentive schemes, we use money recovered from convicted loan sharks under the Proceeds of Crime Act to help people build their savings and improve their financial resilience.
And it’s making a real difference. Between April 2025 and April 2026:
✅ 1,853 members received a savings bonus
💷 More than £330,000 was saved at the three-month point
👏 The average savings balance was £180
A huge thank you to all the credit unions working with us to provide safe, affordable and ethical alternatives to illegal lenders.
Want to find out more about how a credit union or Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) could help you?
👉 Read our latest blog. Link in the comments.