OVER three hundred credit union officials are meeting in Glasgow this weekend, for the Autumn Conference of the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd.
Guest speakers include Mary Mulligan MSP, Deputy Minister for Communities at the Scottish Executive, and James Purnell MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
As British people are being urged to increase the amount they save, the theme of the conference is aptly named Savings Mobilisation. Described as a world expert on the subject, Vice-President of the World Council of Credit Unions Lucy Ito will share her knowledge of how credit unions around the world have increased their capital and improved members' savings habits.
The newly formed Credit Union Foundation will receive a major boost in its aim to renew the focus on financial education and reducing indebtedness with a major auction on the Saturday evening.
The Scottish Executive has provided major support for credit unions since its inception, and ABCUL is delighted to welcome the Minister to the event.
Writing in the next edition of Credit Union News, Ms Mulligan says: "Credit unions are an important source of financial services for a whole spectrum of people, not only those on low incomes.
`Credit unions are not anti-poverty initiatives in themselves. They are businesses first and foremost, yet by their very nature they promote financial inclusion – providing a much needed service offering fair loans whilst at the same time creating a savings ethos, which in turn paves the way for long-term financial security.`
Join the Conversation