Half a Million Pounds Handed Out Over Christmas by CLEVR Money

Thursday 25 January 2024

Lancashire based credit union, CLEVR Money said it had a busier run-up to Christmas than the same period in 2020. It released almost £130,000 from members’ Christmas savings accounts in November, up £11,000 from last year, showing people had saved more for the festive season.

It also handed out almost £514,000 in Christmas loans this year, up £60,000 on Christmas 2020 when locals borrowed a total of £453,000.

The increase in both savings and loans was down to both a greater appetite to make the most of the festive season and his team’s growing presence in the community, according to CLEVR co-manager Anthony Brookes. He said: “We were delighted to see the Christmas Savings increase, showing people have put away more than ever before to cover the expenses of the festive season.

“And the increase in loans is also good as it means people who want to borrow, are doing so with a responsible and reputable lender like ourselves rather than payday loans companies or loan sharks.

“We’ve also worked hard to stay visible in the community despite Covid shutting the branch doors and preventing our community face-to-face sessions.

“These figures show we have successfully continued to serve our existing members and have attracted new members via word-of-mouth recommendation and our online campaign, ensuring people in our community can still access the fair and affordable loans we provide just for them.”

Source – Blackpool Gazette