Frequently Asked Questions
Three credit unions, one each from England, Ireland and Scotland, have cooperated together to form the Ascendia Financial. This UK-wide credit union network pools know-how and resources to better serve their members and provide first class service and competitive savings and loans products.
Credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives that provide savings, loans and other financial services to their members. Credit union membership is based on a common bond, a linkage shared by savers and borrowers who belong to a particular community, organisation, religion or place of employment. Credit unions pool their members’ savings to finance loans rather than rely on outside capital. Members benefit from higher returns on savings, lower rates on loans and no hidden fees.
As a network of Credit Unions, we can extend eligibility throughout England, Ireland and Scotland. The members of a wide variety of organisations, employers, clubs and associations are automatically eligible to join one of our networked credit unions. Ascendia Financial has grown out of a credit union called Brent Shrine Credit Union which was first formed in 1979 to serve people living or working in the London Borough of Brent. We changed our name to Ascendia Financial and extended our common bond nationally to encompass the British South Asian diaspora. Since then our common bond has extended a number of times to include members and supporters of a very wide range of organisations and associations across the UK. Recently we have extended membership to supporters of the financial education charity: Financial Education and Awareness. A full list of these associations is available from the credit union. Ascendia Financial Ireland’ common bond allows any individual who resides or is employed in the locality of Wales to join provided that they do not live in Newry and Lisburn.. Apply for a free account here HERE
The ‘bond’ or association between members constitutes a credit unions ‘common bond’. These bonds can be several and varied including where people live, work and clubs and associations to which they belong.
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