Credit Union Movement Shows it’s Support for #HowsYourBalance Campaign

Thursday 25 January 2024

Throughout the month of October, eight Greater Manchester credit unions – who all form part of the SoundPound consortium – have joined forces to launch its #HowsYourBalance campaign.

Over 200 organisations including local councils, payroll partners and community groups have used the campaign hashtags #HowsYourBalance & #CreditUnionAwareness over 1,500 times to show their support and raise awareness about financial wellbeing within communities.

Marketing Team Lead at South Manchester Credit Union. Ryan Cusack said: “It’s been incredible to see so many credit unions taking on the #HowsYourBalance Challenge. You can see the unity in the sector with how the challenge has spread organically. We’re delighted with the campaign as we’re seeing new people and organisations using the hashtag each day. Every picture, mention or share can create more awareness for the positive role we have in our communities.”

The campaign was created and launched by SoundPound – the Consortium of Greater Manchester Community Credit Unions. More than 65,000 people are members of credit unions across Greater Manchester, 80% of people who borrow from Greater Manchester credit unions spend the money locally and 70% of members continue to save regularly after repaying a credit union loan. Greater Manchester Credit Unions also have £20 million available to lend and save borrowers £13 million in charges and interest.

Chief executive of Salford Credit Union, Sheila Murtagh, said: “Addressing your financial wellbeing is so important to making all areas of your life more balanced. It is a serious topic, but we also want to have a bit of fun while doing it.

“Our staff have been taking on the How’s Your Balance challenge and posting them on our social media channels and I am looking forward to seeing how members of the public get involved.”

There is still an opportunity to get involved with the campaign and encourage staff, credit union members, payroll partners and stakeholders to spread awareness of the movement by using the campaign hashtags. Highlights of the campaign can be viewed on the SoundPound website.