Credit Control Officer Vacancy

Tuesday 14th February, 2012

We are looking to appoint an experienced Credit Control Officer based at our Leigh office to improve lending practice and recovery of delinquent loans.

• To monitor all member loans to ensure that all repayments are up to date
• To contact the member by telephone and letter to inform slow paying members of their arrears
• To negotiate with members who wish to reduce their loan repayments
• Refer members with debt problems to CAB Money Advice Worker
• Interview members with loan arrears to help with their debt problems
• Administer and liaise with Debt Recovery Companies to help recover bad debt
• Administer referrals to Eligible Loan Deduction Scheme (training provided)
• To decide on which members’ loans require writing off in consultation with the General Manager
• Assist in developing effective lending policies and assist in the development of appropriate monitoring systems for lending
• Maximise arrears collection
• Prepare monthly Credit Control Report for Board of Directors
• Attend training as required
• Any other reasonable duties that may be required by the Board or General Manager to ensure the smooth running of the credit union

Unify goes \'Tweet\'

Wednesday 1st February, 2012

We have now launched our Twitter page - @unifycu.

Go and visit www.twitter.com to find out more.

MP joins Unify

Friday 16th December, 2011

Yvonne Fovargue MP for Makerfield was welcomed as a new member of Wigan’s biggest credit union at the headquarters of the Higher Ince based Unify Credit Union Ltd.

Parliament approves changes to Credit Union Act 1979

Thursday 10th November, 2011

Credit unions across Britain have welcomed news that Parliament has (8th November) approved changes to legislation which will free up credit unions to reach many more members, including community groups and businesses.

A Legislative Reform Order, which makes changes to the Credit Unions Act 1979, has been approved by Parliament and new rules that enable credit unions to compete more effectively with banks and other lenders will be in place by January 2012.

Mark Lyonette, Chief Executive of ABCUL said: “Credit unions in Britain are delighted that legislative reforms have been agreed by Parliament which free up the sector to compete on a more level playing field. ABCUL has campaigned long and hard for these changes so we’re happy that credit unions will be able to use the new powers from the New Year.

Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Credit Union, Damian Hinds MP said: “I’m very pleased that the LRO has now been made. It opens up so many new possibilities for the sector to evolve, innovate and grow. The regulatory changes will help credit unions work more effectively with partners including housing providers and employers, and encourage more people to develop a savings habit.”

The credit union sector in Britain is small compared to other countries such as the United States and Canada, where over 40% of the populations belong to a credit union. Credit unions in Britain have, up to now, been hampered by outdated restrictions which limit who can join, what services they offer and which places they operate in.

The Order makes a number of changes, including allowing credit unions to provide services to community groups, attract investment from local businesses and extend services to new groups, including housing association tenants and employees. Credit unions will also be able to pay interest on savings, instead of a dividend, so people will more easily be able to compare rates.

Christmas and New Year Opening Times

Monday 5th September, 2011

Dividend Information

Friday 1st April, 2011

Unify Credit Union does not pay interest on savings. Instead, as a registered co-operative, not-for-profit business, it gives a dividend to members with savings.  This year, despite investing in opening a new branch in Leigh, we have agreed a dividend of 2.5%, a great return for an instant access savings account.

Dividends are the members’ reward for saving with Unify Credit Union.  The dividend is  calculated from the surplus made at the end of each financial year. We have no external shareholders so all our profits, after prudent transfers to reserves, goes back to the members as their dividends.

Dividends at Unify Credit Union have been between 2% and 3% for the last eight years and the Credit Union does not, by law, have to deduct tax - it is the responsibility of the member to declare their dividend for tax.

First Saver Accounts do not qualify for a Dividend, as young people are not eligible to be members, but their savings accounts also receive an annual return equal to the dividend paid to adult members.

Please note: members who close their accounts prior to the Declaration of Dividend at the Annual General Meeting forfeit their right to any dividend.