06/10/2025
Councillor Jake Berriman Endorses Local Community
Banking Initiative
Powys County Councillor Jake Berriman, Leader and Cabinet Member for People, Performance and Partnerships, is calling on residents to support local banking by re-engaging with their membership at Smart Money Cymru Community Bank.
Following the transition from the former Powys based Red Kite Savings and Loans and Brecon and District Credit Union, Smart Money Cymru has committed to maintaining a strong high street presence in Brecon and Llandrindod Wells, ensuring that responsible, community-focused banking remains accessible to local people.
The credit union offers small to medium-sized loans, promotes financial inclusion, and empowers members to take ownership of their financial institutions including opportunities to serve on the board. One such example is volunteer board director Nicky Roberts, pictured alongside Councillor Berriman.
Nicky has been a member volunteer of the Red Kite Savings and Loans prior to its merger with Smart Money Cymru, where she has continued with this role for several years. She is also a valued Director on the board of Smart Money Cymru.
Councillor Berriman said of the service:
โCommunity banking is about more than money-itโs about trust, inclusion, and keeping services rooted in the places we live. Iโm proud to support Smart Money Cymruโs work in Powys and encourage former members to reconnect and help build a stronger, fairer local economy we can all be proud of.โ
Smart Money Cymru is currently expanding its High Street services. Supported by a Development Officer in Llandrindod Wells, volunteers are trained in running the service for members, upskilling local residents and ensuring communities ownership is priority. If you would like to find out more about how to become a member, or if you have time to spare to help the services grow, pop into the branch on Middleton Street, open every Thursday between 11am and 1pm or visit the Smart Money Cymru website www.smartmoneycymru.co.uk
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