Banks in More Difficulty!
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for them it seems the banks may have been caught with their fingers in your till! The courts have ruled that the charges made for going overdrawn come under “unfair contract” rules, raising the prospect banks will have to repay a £Billion to account holders. Consumer groups hailed the decision in the first round of a test case as victory against charges of up to £35 each time customers exceed their limit, when they estimate it costs a bank just £2.50. The Office of Fair Trading and High Street banks brought the case after a widespread consumer campaign saw customers reclaim more than £550 million through the courts. Never pay another bank fine again, open a Castle & Minster Current Account. For £1 per week you can have your salary paid into it, transfer all your standing orders and direct debits to it and leave the rest to us. Call 01484 226666 for an application pack or check out our ‘Services’ page for more info. Are you in line for compensation from the bank? Pay your compensation into your Credit Union Savings account and receive a generous dividend on it at the year end! Talk about a win win situation for you and a lose lose situation for the bank! Dont delay, ring us on 01484 226666 today and ask for a Credit Union Savings Account application form. Still havent got your money back? click here for guidance from the Consumer Association website on how to go about it:
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WESTERN UNION - MONEY TRANSFER
Castle and Minster Credit Union are pleased to announce their association with Western Union. Western Union is the largest money transfer organisation in the United Kingdom, transferring money to approximately 212,000 locations in more than 195 countries worldwide. If you need to send cash to a relative or friend in a hurry, you can now do so by simply visiting your local Credit Union. Please remeber to bring with you two forms i.d. For more info please ring 01484 226666 You will be asked to complete a simple form, hand over the cash you are sending and pay the appropriate fee (fees vary). Within minutes (if you choose this option) the money will be available for collection, at the required destination. Your friend or relative will need to go their local Western Union agent with appropriate identification to collect their funds. IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE!!!!!!!!!! If you require any further information, just give us a call or pop into the office and a member of staff will be able to assist
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UNITED NATIONS RECOGNISES ROLE OF CREDIT UNIONS
UN Blue Book entitled Building Inclusive Financial Sectors recognises Credit Unions as early innovators in microfinance and "continue to show lower costs & higher efficiencies in delivering services than other institutions". "This is food for thought for policy makers and other stakeholders as they work to establish policies that create inclusive finance" said Kathryn Imboden senior policy advisor for the UN Capital Development Fund. Providing Financial Services to the Poor is more than a Social Policy Issue. When the poor have access to safe savings, loan products designed to meet their needs, and affordable financial services, they contribute to their own economic stability and the economic stability of their community. Credit Unions have long recognised this fundamental truth. In Kirklees Castle & Minster is working with local decision makers to translate this truth into action by delivering improved financial services.
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PAYMENT PROTECTION PLAN
Castle and Minster are pleased to offer members the opportunity to apply for Payment Protection Plan, provided by Cuna Mutual Insurance Society. Members are now able to protect their loans against Accident, Sickness and Unemployment. For a small monthly payment, you can feel safe in the knowledge that should you be unable to work your payment to Castle and Minster Credit Union will be protected (subject to status)even if you are still receiving your salary entitlement, under the terms and conditions of your sickness benefit. Cover costs from as little as £4.04 per £100 of loan repayment for the Accident and Sickness cover and £6.48 per £100 of repayment for Accident, Sickness and Unemployment cover. This is a genuine offer from Castle and Minster none of the insurance cover is added up front to your loan or interest charged unlike some of the larger lenders. If you have an existing loan with us and would like payment protection under the above plan, this can be arranged. Please contact the office where a member of staff can discuss your individual needs.
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Odds Of Winning Lottery Significantly Increase For Friends Of Castle & Minster
Did you know that the Friends of Castle and Minster Credit Union run a private members lottery each month? A ticket costs just £1.00 and members can buy up to 5 tickets a month. The draw normally takes place on the last Friday of each month and half of all money generated is paid out to members as prizes; The first prize is £150.00, Second Prize £50.00, Third Prize £25.00 and 6 further prizes of £10.00 each. The other half of the money goes to help in funding special projects for the Credit Union. The odds are not 14 million to one as with the National Lottery but currently around 500 to one for each number issued. And if you buy more than one then the odds of winning are even greater. If you would like to enter the lottery then please contact the office on 226666 and we will send you the form.
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One Third of Child Trust Fund Vouchers Have Yet To be Invested!
Looking for somewhere to invest yours? Try giving Scottish Friendly a ring on 0800 955 5955 or see them online at: www.scottishfriendly.co.uk/abcul
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Are you ethical in your energy consumption?
Could you be a little more right on in your choice of supplier? Change to ethical energy suppliers CETL and receive a number of benefits We can offer you an exclusive deal with CETL (Community Energy Trading Limited) an ethical supplier of electricity and gas which channels energy from Centrica, the parent company of British Gas and Scottish Gas, amongst others. The difference from other energy companies lies in how it distributes its profits. A proportion of its dividends are paid to charitable or community groups. If you decide to purchase your energy through CETL, £10 per year for each fuel will be paid direct to your credit union and you will also receive many benefits. To find out more contact Community Energy Trading Limited (CETL) for an online quotation: Website: www.cetl.co.uk/householders.htm
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Consumers Association Hails Credit Unions as a Good Deal
Castle & Minster Credit Union Ltd welcomes the report in Which? Magazine that encourages its readers to consider credit union membership. In a comprehensive report about credit unions in Britain, the services they provide and the people who use them. Which? urges its readers to think again if they thought credit unions weren’t for them, and says “credit unions offer their members cheap, flexible loans, and many pay good returns on their savings accounts too.” Credit unions, says the report, can be a “particularly good bet if you want to borrow small amounts over a short period of time.” On a loan of £500 over 12 months Castle & Minster members would pay £75.52 in interest and receive free life insurance built in.
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Need Car or House Insurance?
Contact the office for details of some competitive deals we have arranged with Norwich Insurance. Or call this number for a quick quote: 0800 731 4205
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751% Apr !!!
That rate was recently charged on a loan by one doorstep lender currently operating in Kirklees! On a loan of £100 over 19 weeks the borrower had to pay back £52.50 in interest and administration charges. The same loan from the Credit Union would have cost £5.54. For more information on this national problem please click on the following link: http://www.switchwithwhich.co.uk/switching/case-study.html
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Important Notice: Castle & Minster Credit Union Ltd seeks to provide members with an opportunity to secure advantageous deals with external goods & service providers in a commercial relationship between the member and the goods or service provider. In so doing Castle & Minster Credit Union has relied upon industry standards applicable to the particular goods or service such as English Tourist Board star ratings. This service is provided in good faith and without obligation. We would be grateful for feedback from members as to the quality of service they receive from the service provider. Castle & Minster accepts no liability in respect of that service.