More than Just Credit? The Experience of Credit Unions Building Financial Resilience in Communities. (Executive Summary)

This research report on behalf of JFF shares some of the inspiring stories of a number of credit unions, their members and the communities they serve, within the JFF Locals Network. These stories highlight the impact that credit unions can have, both as sources of fair and affordable credit to meet immediate need, as well as place-based institutions that support individuals and communities to build their longer-term financial resilience.

Credit unions however, as the report sets out, frequently suffer from a limited visual presence, insufficient capacity and a range of other challenges, and that innovation is required to meet these challenges. This report sets out these challenges and offers some promising solutions.