1st Class Credit Union

12/06/2026

This week, we wave off our volunteer Andy 🫶

Andy has been volunteering with 1st Class for four years. Since joining us in 2022, he has been a key part of our credit union, helping with everything from member payments to loan applications.

With 38 years at BT and more than 40 years as a member of The Communication Workers Union, Andy brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team and has been a fantastic ambassador for both the credit union and trade union movements.

Andy accompanied our staff to various trade union events over the years and connected us to his extensive network. We think it's fair to say he knows just about everyone! 😎

We're proud to have volunteers like Andy who embody our values and support the credit union movement.

Thank you for your service Andy. We'll miss having you around! 💙

10/06/2026

World Cup special episode featuring Alan Rough MBE 🎙️⚽️ PLZSoccer

02/06/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome Clare Haughey for Rutherglen, Cambuslang & Blantyre to the Money Made Human Podcast!

We loved hearing her story, learning more about her journey, and discussing the important work she's doing for her constituency.

Episode coming soon! 🎧✨

It was wonderful to join Gayle this morning at 1st Class Credit Union to record an episode of their Money Made Human podcast, and I thoroughly enjoyed our chat.
Money Made Human has recently been shortlisted in the Lifestyle, Health and Wellbeing category at the inaugural Scottish Podcast Awards.
You can keep an eye on the 1st Class Credit Union page to see when this episode is available, and to learn more about the series.

29/05/2026

In episode 22 of the Money Made Human podcast, we’re joined by Hugh Gaffney for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill, former MP, author of Auchengeich, and founding member of 1st Class Credit Union 🎙️

Host Gayle Lloyd speaks with Hugh about a life shaped by service, community, and a deep commitment to helping others. From growing up in a family of eight siblings to his career with Royal Mail, Hugh reflects on the experiences that led him into trade union activism and later into politics.

The conversation also explores his work preserving the history of the Auchengeich mining disaster, where 47 men lost their lives in 1959, and the lasting impact it had on families and communities. Hugh also shares personal reflections on loss, including the passing of his wife Anne, and the values that continue to guide him.

Some highlights from the episode:

📮 His career with Royal Mail and work with The Communication Workers Union
🏦 The importance of credit unions and payroll deduction schemes
🤍 Personal reflections on grief, family, and motivation to help others

We hope you enjoy listening to Hughie’s story as much as we did!

Listen here:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hugh-gaffney-former-mp-author-of-auchengeich/id1840884262?i=1…
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4a9hrWjddnjWeDALvNxrHT?si=6e8c778aeb894ede
YouTube: https://youtu.be/3kfMyy8sh-k?si=aIKjEin49qHDIKQS

20/05/2026

"It was a reminder that behind every policy, spreadsheet or statistic are real families trying to make ends meet, save for the future or simply get by." 💡

We’re honoured to have been mentioned in Katrina Murray MP for Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch’s speech in Parliament on the importance of credit unions and mutuals in helping people access fair financial services.

Our Money Made Human Awards were created to shine a light on the role credit unions play in supporting communities, and it’s incredible to see that message reflected at the heart of Parliament.

Thank you, Katrina, for your continued support for credit unions, our members and the wider movement. ❤️

15/05/2026

Scottish Podcast Awards nominees!!! 🎉

Money Made Human has been shortlisted in the Lifestyle, Health & Wellbeing category at the inaugural Scottish Podcast Awards, in partnership with Spotify.

We started Money Made Human last year to encourage compassionate conversations around something that impacts us all: money. Through these conversations, we've come to believe that with openness and empathy, money really can be made human and perhaps credit unions can save the world? 🫶

A huge thank you to all our guests, listeners, and everyone who supports and engages with the podcast!

Now, bring on 25th June 😎

08/05/2026

In episode 21 of the Money Made Human podcast, we’re joined by Paul Sweeney MSP, candidate in the Scottish Parliamentary election 🎙️

Before entering politics, Paul worked in the shipbuilding industry, an experience that continues to shape his views on industry, communities, and public service. Host Gayle Lloyd speaks with Paul about his five years in the Scottish Parliament, his upbringing in Glasgow, and the influence of his parents’ values, trade union roots, and strong sense of service to others.

Some highlights from the episode:

🚢 Paul’s journey from shipbuilding into politics
🏭 The importance of maintaining Scotland’s industrial heritage
🏦 The role of credit unions in supporting communities across Scotland

An insightful conversation about industry, community, public service, and the values that shape leadership. We hope you enjoy it!

Listen here:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-sweeney-candidate-in-the-scottish-parliamentary/id1840884262?i=1000766789359
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nQoECUS3s2STqfxsjxyD2?si=be51307f10244aff

07/05/2026

Last Friday, we hosted our very first Money Made Human Awards ✨

We wanted to celebrate the amazing people and organisations in our community, both within and outside of the credit union sector, while also taking a moment to reflect on the journey of 1st Class Credit Union and our Money Made Human Podcast.

Our objective was to lift others, to recognise people who have given their time, their courage and their energy to making something better than it was before. We gathered to honour consistent achievement, the kind that lights a path, shifts a community, or quietly changes a life.

We also set out to prove how the threads and connections of a credit union can pull together a community, whether that is locally, nationally or internationally, and how through shared prosperity, peace can be built. The concept of Choose Us linked back to a parliamentary reception held in September 2024.

16 awards went to some incredible people, including our partners, inspirational figures from across and beyond the credit union sector, and members who have gone above and beyond for those around them. 🏆

The afternoon was a powerful reminder of why love and compassion in leadership is more important now than ever, and why this is not a soft skill, but a leadership force. And a celebration of the values of Money Made Human: joy, compassion, peacefulness, contentment and success.

Thank you to all of our colleagues, friends and partners who joined us. ❤️

20/04/2026

𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Here is your PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year for 25/26, sponsored by 1st Class Credit Union.

Toby Steward (St. Johnstone Football Club)

Ben McPherson (Partick Thistle FC)
Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (Dunfermline Athletic FC)
Cheick Diabate (St. Johnstone Football Club)
Robbie Fraser (Dunfermline Athletic FC)

Ben Stanway (Partick Thistle FC)
Reece McAlear (St. Johnstone Football Club)
Jason Holt (St. Johnstone Football Club)

Jamie Gullan (St. Johnstone Football Club)
Alex Samuel (Partick Thistle FC)
Josh McPake (St. Johnstone Football Club)

16/04/2026

🎉 Episode 20 of the Money Made Human podcast just dropped!

We were joined by Dermot O'Neill last October, Chief Executive of the Scottish League of Credit Unions (SLCU), to explore Scotland’s credit union movement.

Dermot shares his journey from General Manager at Taxi Trade Credit Union, through development roles at Ayrshire Credit Union, to leading the SLCU for the past 15 years. He reflects on the power of cooperative finance to strengthen communities, the evolution of credit unions, and the values that guide his leadership.

Some highlights from the episode:

🏛️ The six pillars of the SLCU, including guidance, education, networking, and representation
🧭 Dermot’s personal journey and leadership in the credit union movement
🚀 How credit unions have adapted in recent years and hopes for the future

Join us for an engaging conversation with someone at the heart of Scotland’s credit union movement.

Listen here:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dermot-oneill-chief-executive-scottish-league-of/id1840884262?i=1000761769423
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aTnFQQd3m1Ebs7mFCIY74?si=JehRdqchTPGyb3c2Sx2sPA