Coop fortnight 2020 

Northern Community Bank look at what the co-operative principles mean to a credit union – No.1 Voluntary and Open Membership

During the coronavirus pandemic we have seen communities across the country come together in co-operation to help each other. That has been seen with neighbours helping vulnerable neighbours with shopping, employers and employees collectively halting work to help the save the NHS and countless other examples.

During Co-op Fortnight (22 June to 5 July 2020), we’re encouraging everyone to #KeepCooperating. We’ve seen what happens when we ALL co-operate. Let’s #KeepCooperating and change society for the better.

Northern Community Bank is a financial cooperative providing ethical savings and affordable loan accounts, we have operated throughout the coronavirus pandemic to make sure people in our community have had access to the money they needed. We are owned and run by everyone who opens an account and therefore becomes a shareholder in the organisation. Cooperatives are based on a number of values and we have guiding principles that allow us to put our values into practice every day. Throughout Co-op fortnight 2020 we will explore what the co-operative principles mean to Northern Community Bank and community.

Voluntary and Open Membership

Cooperatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination

What does the first principle ‘Voluntary and Open Membership’ mean to Northern Community Bank?

No one is forced to join a credit union like Northern Community Bank, we welcome anyone who lives or works within our common bond and believes they will benefit from the way we do business. Different community banks cover different geographical areas or work industries such as the NHS or large employers like BAE Systems; our common bond covers Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, South Craven, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

We have savings accounts which are designed for all ages and they have no barriers to different members of the community. We have account holders of many religions, racial and social backgrounds.

What can I do?

If you like the saving or loan accounts we provide – talk to friends and family members about what we do. Co-operative solutions can help to rebuild the economy. If we have helped you, then there’s no doubt we can help the people you know.

Tell a friend