Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

West Lothian Council looks to support credit unions as bank branches close

Measures could include council information sites and the introduction of a credit union development officer

Councillors in West Lothian, Scotland, are looking to support the credit union sector in a bid to tackle banking deserts and payday lenders.

The closure of bank branches, prompted by reduced footfall and the switch to online services, is a growing concern across the UK, prompting fears of financial exclusion and communities left with no over-the-counter banking. It has prompted a number of co-op and credit union responses in recent years, including plans to launch Banc Cambria, a national community bank in Wales, or the addition of OneBanks kiosks to Co-op Group stores in Scotland. Last year, Blaenau Gwent announced its ambition to become Wales’ first “credit union county”.

With branch closures threatened in West Lothian towns Bathgate and Linlithglow, and smaller towns and villages already without a branch, SNP and Labour councillors tabled a joint motion, signed by council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick, which states: “Credit unions have the potential to play a major strategic role in the fight against poverty and financial exclusion.”

The motion, passed by the council, added: “As a result of the withdrawal of many of West Lothian’s high street bank branches there are many people who will struggle further to manage their finances. Without credible, structured and accountable alternatives they could fall victim to unscrupulous lending practices.”

Related: South Wales credit unions merge in bid to tackle high street banking deserts

Actions suggested by the motion include support for existing credit unions through council information sites and encouraging the establishment of ones.

This could mean the introduction of the role of credit union development officer – following the example of Scottish Borders Council, which created the post last August when it hosted the launch of the Caledonian Credit Union.

Councillors on West Lothian – which already offers credit union payroll deduction services – are also considering introducing cautions to anyone accessing pay-day loan sites on council computers in libraries and community centres, offering “information on how to contact more affordable lenders in the area like the credit union can be provided”.

Image of West Lothian Civic Centre, the council’s meeting place, by M J Richardson/Wiki CC