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Moray Firth Credit Union boost for Buckie savers as new outlet opens


By Garry McCartney

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A LOCAL savings and loans cooperative has opened new contact points in neighbouring towns.

MFCU volunteer Rhoma Pirie welcomes customer Ian Scott, who was the first to sign up from the pop up session. Picture: Becky Saunderson
MFCU volunteer Rhoma Pirie welcomes customer Ian Scott, who was the first to sign up from the pop up session. Picture: Becky Saunderson

Moray Firth Credit Union (MFCU), based at 53 High Street, Forres, is now offering face-to-face services at The Bow Café in The Square, 61-63 High Street, Elgin as well as Moray Reach Out, 23 East Church Street, Buckie.

MFCU chairwoman Lorna Creswell is enjoying helping even more people around the region save and take out loans at favourable rates of interest while promoting financial education and encouraging good savings habits.

She said: "Our volunteers have set up the Elgin branch near Farmfoods at the east end of the town centre. It is open on Mondays from 11am-1pm.

"We have also opened a satellite collection point in Buckie which is open every Wednesday from 11am-1pm. Like ourselves, Moray Reach Out is a social enterprise with volunteers working to support the community. The link up came about after I met Reach Out's manager at a Moray Social Enterprise Network meeting. Our volunteer Jackie Douglas, who has 25 years banking and financial experience, will visit on Wednesdays to provide information and deal with potential new members there."

Ms Douglas was a bank manager at the TSB in Forres.

The opening of the Buckie MFCU outlet was welcomed by MRO's general and business development manager Shona Radojkovic, who welcomed the collaboration between the two social enterprises.

“MRO is delighted to be providing a regular weekly space for the Moray Firth Credit Union to provide its services," she continued.

"As well as space in the Thrift Shop on Wednesdays between 11am and 1pm, MFCU can also use our meeting room behind the scenes whilst here to speak to people in private.

"We wish MFCU well with their Buckie presence and hope that the people of Buckie and surrounding communities will come in and find out more about becoming a member of the credit union and sign up for savings schemes and loan opportunities dependent on their needs.”

MFCU has set up a workplace savings scheme to allow employers' staff to save each pay day and become eligible for loans at affordable interest rates. Moray Council and AJ Engineering in Forres are two organisations that have signed up so far.

The organisation has also invested a grant of £4480 from Foundation Scotland in three laptops for its volunteers to use outwith the Forres office.

It has also been developing website – https://www.morayfirthcreditunion.co.uk – while encouraging virtual connections between staff and members when required.

"The website is much more user friendly now," said Mrs Cresswell.

"It is also checked regularly to ensure all the information is up-to-date."

MFCU allows members to save as much or as little as they like and to borrow at affordable interest rates.

For more information, contact MFCU on (01309) 676735 or email info@morayfirthcreditunion.co.uk


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