Thamesbank Credit Union Bringing its Community Together as a Place to Save as you Borrow

Tuesday 23 January 2024

Member of Thamesbank Credit Union, Sabrina Nandkishore urges members of the community how the Credit Union can be a lifeline to anyone. Sabrina was a single mother bringing up two children who struggled to deal with finances.

She explained: “I slowly got into debt due to living expenses and childcare. I felt too embarrassed to discuss this with my family. After watching a money programme on TV discussing affordable borrowing, I found out about credit unions being more affordable than my credit cards. After setting up my account, I applied for a child benefit loan, and each month I have been very pleasantly surprised that I started to save.

“Thamesbank Credit Union would always pay some of my loan and deposit the rest of my child benefit into a savings account. Until then, I never had an opportunity to save any money. I began to pay off my loans and have some money for emergencies.”

Mukesh Malhotra, Past President of Hounslow Rotary and the current Chair who oversees the running of the Thamesbank Credit Union said: “Whatever the loan is for, we encourage putting a few pounds aside while repaying the money, so hopefully it becomes more of a habit, than a duty.”  

Sarah Gardner, who serves as Business Development Manager and herself a mother with two young children, said that credit unions can serve pretty much everyone in the community. 

“The stories that we hear from our members make us feel good about the everyday running of the business and thinking of its future. It is very fulfilling to be there, when people need you most and to know that we can extend a helping hand in time of need.”