About Us
The Mission of the Credit Union is to promote the financial well-being of its members. To achieve this 
purpose the Credit Union is committed to providing a broad range of innovative financial products supported by the excellent service of a dedicated, well-trained staff. These programs will be administered in accordance with sound management practices to maintain the financial strength of the Credit union. The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the Credit Union hereby affirm that the efforts of the Credit Union will be consistently and professionally dedicated to the accomplishment of this mission...
The Credit Union Story
The modern Credit Union movement traces its origins to Germany and to Friedrich Willhelm Raiffeisen, the Mayor of a small town in southern Germany, who in 1849 formed societies, which later evolved into Credit Unions. The purpose of these Credit Unions was to enable people to help themselves in relieving debt and poverty.
A Credit Union is a democratic, financial co-operative owned and controlled by its own members. Each Credit Union is run only to benefit its members, all of whom have something in common - the common bond.
A wee bit of history...
The first enduring credit unions in Scotland were founded in Drumchapel and Bellshill in the 1960s, thanks to the vision of pioneers of the Scottish movement, Bert Mullen and Bill Murphy.
Shortly before the passing of the 1979 Credit Unions Act, two sisters from Drumchapel Kathleen and Phyllis McGee, got together with a few friends and neighbours, to set up the first credit union in Renfrewshire. Johnstone Credit Union opened its doors to members for the first time on Saturday 4th August 1979. Membership was open to anyone who lived in Johnstone. The local scout group gave us the use of their hall in Elm Drive, Johnstone Castle.
For the first five years, the fledgling credit union had no permanent home and operated from a variety of venues including a church hall and a school community wing; during this period growth was slow. The small group of volunteers persevered however and in 1984 with help from the local council JCU moved to our first permanent premises in Collier Street; by the year 2000 the credit union was in a position to purchase our very own premises in Church Street, and by 2014 with membership approaching 5000 and assets over 7.5 million we moved into our new purpose built offices.
In 1996, Tom Kelly founding member was appointed our first full-time manager, in 2003 our common bond was extended to include all residents in Renfrewshire west of Johnstone and again in 2013 extended to take in the whole of Renfrewshire.
Our achievements have not gone unnoticed; in the years from 2000 to 2014 we have been recognised by Scottish Enterprise receiving the Millennium Award for Community Development; in 2004 we received The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in the community; and in 2014 Tom Kelly was awarded a MBE for services to the credit union movement.
If you would like to know more about the history of the Credit Union Movement in the United Kingdom please click the link below:
