News
Monday, 22nd September 2025
UK Savings Week (22 – 28 September 2025) is an annual campaign designed to encourage people across the country to develop better saving habits. At a time when millions of households are struggling to put money aside, Darlington Credit Union is proud to highlight the vital role credit unions play in helping people start saving – and keep saving.
There are around 14 million people in the UK who have less than £100 in savings to fall back on in an emergency. The latest Financial Lives Survey also shows that one in ten people have no savings at all, while a further fifth have less than £1,000 set aside.
Credit unions exist to provide a safe, supportive environment for members to build financial security. Membership of British credit unions has now reached an all-time high of 1.52 million people – including adult and junior members – reflecting a 3% increase over the past year and an impressive 8.8% rise since 2020. Member savings remain strong too, with total shares at £2.34 billion in 2024, up 37% since 2020.
As well as being community-led financial institutions, credit unions also work closely with employers to deliver workplace savings schemes. These partnerships allow staff to save directly from their pay, helping them to build up savings over time while also having access to affordable loans if needed. For employers, such schemes support employee wellbeing and reduce financial stress in the workforce.
Darlington Credit Union currently helps members save with a range of savings accounts available to meet individual needs, providing the security of knowing they can deal with the unexpected and plan for the future.
Jo Price, Chief Executive, Darlington Credit Union said: “Financial and mental wellbeing are inextricably linked so it is vital that we work together to build financial resilience within our communities. The National savings statistics make stark reading but we are here to support people to grow their savings.
It takes discipline to get started on the savings journey but taking the first step is easier with a goal in mind. We have a range of savings accounts available with something to suit everyone: our Christmas savings account is a locked account to prevent the temptation to dip into the funds before the Festive period; our Save to Win account rewards savers with entries into our monthly prize draws and our payroll savings schemes enable members to save directly from their salaries. We also have a regular instant access savings account and Community and Business savings accounts available. Anyone living or working in the North-east is welcome to open an account and join the savings revolution.”
As more people look for practical ways to manage their money, credit unions like Darlington Credit Union are continuing to expand their reach and impact – proving they are an essential part of the country’s financial landscape.
Find out which savings account is for you here and explore our full range of services - https://www.darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk/
