Credit Unions Celebrate a Decade of Supporting the Armed Forces

Friday 23 January 2026

Credit union leaders and partners have come together to celebrate ten years of the Joining Forces partnership, a landmark collaboration that has transformed access to fair, affordable financial services for Armed Forces personnel across the country.

Launched in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, the initiative enables service personnel to save and borrow directly through payroll deduction with three well-established credit unions: London Mutual Credit Union, Serve & Protect Credit Union and Plane Saver Credit Union. Together, the three credit unions now serve more than 28,000 members, reaching around 15% of the Armed Forces, with combined assets running into the millions of pounds.

Over the past decade, the partnership has helped members build financial resilience throughout their service careers and beyond, offering a not-for-profit alternative to high-cost credit. Services available include easy-access savings, responsible personal loans, secure salary deductions and the reassurance of safe, member-owned financial institutions.

Speaking at the celebration event, Paul Norgrove, CEO of Serve & Protect Credit Union, said: “We proudly celebrate 10 years of serving our Armed Forces alongside our friends at London Mutual Credit Union and Plane Saver Credit Union.

“It’s an incredible milestone, and I’m extremely proud of everyone at Serve & Protect Credit Union who has played a part in our continued success. Together, we’ve strengthened the financial resilience of those who serve and protect our nation — work that truly matters and makes a difference every single day.

“Here’s to the next decade of partnership, purpose and positive impact.”

Chief Executive of Plane Saver Credit Union, Gary Lewis said: “As we mark the 10-year anniversary of the Joining Forces partnership, we are proud of what we have been able to achieve together. This ongoing collaboration demonstrates the strength of aligned values and shared purpose, and we will continue to focus on expanding access, resilience and financial wellbeing for the Armed Forces community.”

The event also reflected on the scale of the achievement since the partnership’s inception, which has grown steadily to become a core part of financial wellbeing support for service personnel.

Head of Business Development at London Mutual Credit Union, Ben West said: “Behind the numbers are thousands of individual stories – service personnel who’ve cleared problem debts, borrowed affordably in an emergency, or started saving – many for the first time. That’s the real measure of what this partnership has achieved.

“We’re proud to stand alongside Serve and Protect and Plane Saver as part of Joining Forces. Together with the Ministry of Defence, we’ve built something that changes lives and builds the resilience of those who keep our country safe. We look forward to growing a partnership where service personnel don’t just benefit, but have a real stake.”

Matt Bland, Chief Executive of ABCUL added: “Reaching 28,000 members and supporting around 15% of the Armed Forces is a remarkable achievement. The Joining Forces partnership shows exactly what credit unions can do when they work together with a shared purpose.

For ten years, these credit unions have provided trusted, ethical financial services to those who serve our country, helping them save, borrow responsibly and plan for the future. ABCUL is incredibly proud to support this partnership and we look forward to seeing it continue to grow and make an even greater impact in the years ahead.”