Latest News Stories
Children staying in education after GCSEs? Tell the Child Benefit Office!
Are your children staying in education beyond 16 years? Then you must inform the Child Benefit Office every year. Child Benefit stops on 31 August after your child’s 16th birthday. Parents or carers can continue to receive child benefit If they continue within approved education or training, but you must tell the Child Benefit Office. You can notify them online, by post or phone 0300 200 3100.
Find our more on the Government website www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19
Bank Holiday Monday 27th August
Don’t forget Bank Holiday Monday next week! Credit Union will be closed on Monday 27th August due to the bank holiday. Members expecting to receive Child Benefit and other benefits on Monday have been processed on Friday 24th August.
We are open as usual on Saturday 9.30-12 noon, then open again Tuesday 28th August.
Phone and internet problems today 20th August – fixed
We have experienced some internet and phone problems today, seems to be all back to normal now. Thank you for your patience and we apologise for the inconvenience caused.
A Matter of Life and Debt – BBC One Wednesday 8th August
In case you missed – two episodes of A Matter of Life and Debt are now available on BBC iPlayer. The programmes were on Wednesday nights after The One Show. A Matter of Life and Debt is a BBC documentary series about credit unions and other responsible lenders across the UK, telling the stories of people whose lives have been transformed by an ethical loan. A new series is currently filming with credit unions across the country and will hit our TV screens soon.
If you’ve seen the programme and want to join credit union, that’s great!
Click here to join as a saver.
Click here if you would like to apply for a loan.
If you don’t live in Birmingham or Solihull Borough, then there will be another credit union local to you, check your postcode at www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk
A Matter of Life and Debt – BBC One
In case you missed it – A Matter of Life and Debt is a BBC documentary series about credit unions and other responsible lenders across the UK, telling the stories of people whose lives have been transformed by an ethical loan. The series is on after The One Show, BBC One 7.30pm and available on BBC iPlayer.
If you’ve seen the programme and want to join credit union, that’s great!
Click here to join as a saver.
Click here if you would like to apply for a loan.
If you don’t live in Birmingham or Solihull Borough, then there will be another credit union local to you, check your postcode at www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk
Work not Worry – financial wellbeing for employees
the national campaign promoting credit union services to employers starts this week. #worknotworry
AdvanceCU offers a financial wellbeing package for employees – a simple but very effective way for employees to access affordable and ethical finance and easily save regularly – straight from their payslip.
Bank Holiday Monday 28th May
Credit Union will be CLOSED on Monday 28th May due to the bank holiday.
We will be open as usual on Tuesday 29th May.
Ill Gotten Gains on BBC iPlayer
New BBC programme highlights the work of the Illegal Money Lending Team in Birmingham. See what happens when unscrupulous and unregistered illegal lenders (loan sharks) get caught. Available on BBC iPlayer
You can now report a loan shark online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk or phone 0300 555 2222
Time for some spring cleaning!
The sun has been shining, the daffodils have bloomed and we’re getting loads of holiday loan applications. Spring must have arrived. A few extra pounds in your pocket could really help – Check out 8 tips to spring clean your money.
Engage Account problem fixed – update 4th May
The recent issues concerning Engage Accounts sort code have now been successfully resolved.
Members with an Engage Account are again able to transfer money in and out of their accounts from external bank accounts. Members receiving benefits or other deposits directly to their Engage Account should receive their payments as expected from Thursday 6pm onwards.
This issue only affects members who have payments including benefits sent directly to their Engage Account between Tuesday 1st May and 6pm Thursday 4th May. Unfortunately these payments have been returned to the sender. Members should contact the sender including DWP if they believe benefits and other payments have not been received. If you have not received child tax credits contact HMRC Customer Services on 0345 300 3900. HMRC staff have been informed of the issue and will be able to assist in making the necessary arrangements for a faster payment to be sent to you.
Any outgoing payments that were scheduled to leave Engage Accounts between Tuesday 1st May and 6pm Thursday 4th May have not been paid, these will be recredited today by 12noon. Any outgoing payments scheduled after Thursday 3rd May from 6pm will be processed as normal.
Most Engage Account members have benefits and other payments paid directly to Advance Credit Union, these have not been affected. Share withdrawals and loans have been paid onto Members’ Engage Accounts as usual. Please note that due to the bank holiday on Monday, child benefit has been paid on Friday 4th May.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused. If you have any specific concerns about this issue then contact Engage Customer Services on 0333 202 3642.