CLEVR Money Credit Union Founder Recognised with MBE for Services to Financial Inclusion

Monday 29 January 2024

CLEVR Money Credit Union originated from the publication on Blackpool’s Financial Inclusion Strategy set out in the early 2000’s. The Strategy sought to establish a viable credit union in the Blackpool area to address the widespread exclusion from mainstream banking and provide a source of affordable credit to a locale with significant pockets of deprivation. Following this, Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Credit Union (now trading as CLEVR Money) was approved by the regulators in January 2009 and operations commenced the following month.

”Whilst this award comes to myself, I regard it as recognition of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of a whole host of individuals both past and present.” Said MBE recipient and founding member, Andrew Pollock. Andrew was recognised for his work in the UK’s New Year Honours list 2024 and the MBE has been awarded for services to financial inclusion.

Andrew remarked on the award and the credit union’s past 15 years of success, saying much of the credit is owed to the “office team, partners, and volunteer Board/Committee members — and especially our loyal membership who together have turned a most worthy concept into a success.”.

CLEVR Money Credit Union now boasts an active membership of about 5,000 members and has provided loans to a total value of over £20 million.