The West Sussex Credit Union based at 13 Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex officially opened its doors on Friday 3rd October 2008. For two years, the West Sussex Credit Union Study Group worked tirelessly to ensure that residents and workers in West Sussex will have access to affordable loans.

Every day in West Sussex at least one house is repossessed, four people are made insolvent or bankrupt, and at least 35 County Court Judgements are issued, and it is only going to get worse. Once that happens, affected people will be refused credit almost everywhere and are likely to go on to borrow from an illegal source or loan shark with typical interest rates of 1000%.

People at West Sussex Credit Union

Anthony Deveson Operations Manager

Bridget Davies Administrator

Ahad Qazi Loan Officer

Harriet Stedman Customer Services Officer

Sue Mason Customer Services Officer

Richard Jones General Manager

Board of Directors

Trevor Constable, Chairman

Trevor is Managing Director of a local soft furnishings company and is a Director of the Enterprise Business Credit Union.

Jean Valentine

Jean is a retired accountant who is also Treasurer of Worthing Citizens Advice Bureau and other charities. Jean is the Treasurer of the Credit Union

Richard Banister

Richard is a retired IBM executive and is now a Board Member and Trustee of Worthing Council for Voluntary Service.

Jenny King

Jenny is a Financial Inclusion Consultant with previous experience of managing a Citizens Advice Bureau.

Miles Stapleton

Miles Stapleton is an ex Airline Pilot and Union Pensions Representative and has been active as a volunteer (one day a week) since the credit union began. He has worked locally in our Worthing Office and also at Broadfield estate and the Crawley Advice Centre. Miles holds a Certificate in Financial Advice.

What is a Credit Union?

A credit union is like a bank in that it lends to borrowers and looks after money for savers. But the likeness ends there. For a start it is a co-operative owned by its membership, the residents of West Sussex who will be using it. And unlike banks which care little for personal circumstances and who make decisions based on impersonal computer credit checks, credit unions understand their members and make decisions based on personal knowledge. Members are also encouraged to start saving as they borrow, nurturing responsible personal financial management.

So, if you have a low income or no borrowing record, a Credit Union may be more willing to help than banks or building societies so you can avoid using a high-interest lender. We don't just hand out affordable loans - the West Sussex Credit Union can put you in touch with agencies that can provide you with advice on budgeting and debt management, as well as offering general help. So now you really can take control of your finances!

The first credit union was founded in America in 1854. Since then they have become a part of daily life all over the world, usually set up by companies, trades unions or local residents, like the West Sussex Credit Union.