About Us
An introduction to the world of credit unions and EuroTrust Credit Access.
Our Mission
We’re a passionate and award-winning community-owned bank with a volunteer Board who prioritise members over profit. At the heart of the Scottish community we help people by getting them into the habit of saving or accessing affordable loans.
When you join ETA you become a member, not a customer. Your membership gives you a vote in how things are done and any profits are invested straight back into the Credit Union to keep interest rates on loans and savings competitive.
About ETA
EuroTrust Credit Access was established in June 1989 and is one of the largest credit unions in the UK, with over 30,000 members, and assets of £42million. Offering a range of ethical financial services, membership is open to anyone living or working in Scotland’s North East, Central, East and Borders regions, employed by one of our Select Partners or a member of a bona fide organisation.
As a financial co-operative, anyone who opens a savings account with us becomes a member of the credit union. Full membership begins at age 16 with junior memberships also available.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Here’s how well our organisation is performing against the UN’s 17 goals:
GOAL 2 – ZERO HUNGER
We are supporting local food banks and pantries.
GOALS 3 & 4 – GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING & QUALITY EDUCATION
- We visit schools alongside Hibs Foundation to educate kids about money.
- Launched Junior ISAs to encourage financial wellbeing from an early age.
- Project Blossom – raised over £3,000 and 2 suitcases worth of reusable items to help fight period poverty for schoolgirls in Africa.
GOALS 5 & 10 – GENDER EQUALIY & REDUCED INEQUALITIES
- We visit schools alongside Hibs Foundation to educate kids about money.
- Launched Junior ISAs to encourage financial wellbeing from an early age.
- Project Blossom – raised over £3,000 and 2 suitcases worth of reusable items to help fight period poverty for schoolgirls in Africa.
GOAL 7 – AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY
- We visit schools alongside Hibs Foundation to educate kids about money.
- Launched Junior ISAs to encourage financial wellbeing from an early age.
- Project Blossom – raised over £3,000 and 2 suitcases worth of reusable items to help fight period poverty for schoolgirls in Africa.
ETA has a committed and dedicated volunteer Board of Directors, responsible for governing the credit union, shaping the strategic direction of the organisation and managing its long term development and success. All Directors are members of the credit union, elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting for a three year term.
The day to day management of the credit union is delegated to the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team by our Board:
- Tina Harrison, President
- Andrew Forrest, Vice President
- Andrew McKeever, Treasurer
- Yasemin Guven, Secretary
- Mark McAlpine, Director
- Kerra McKinnie, Director
- Liam Boyle, Director
- Grahame Walker, Director
- Farhaan Mirza, Director
Our Staff
- commits firms to supporting the progression of women into senior roles in the financial services sector by focusing on the executive pipeline and the mid-tier level;
- recognises the diversity of the sector and that firms will have different starting points – each firm should therefore set its own targets and implement the right strategy for their organisation;
- requires firms to publicly report on progress to deliver against these internal targets to support the transparency and accountability needed to drive change.
EuroTrust Credit Access is committed to a balanced workforce and gender diversity. The Credit Union will endeavour to ensure that we maintain certain standards which includes a commitment to ensuring our Senior Management Team will have, as a minimum, an equal balance of men and women. 2 members of the Senior Management Team are women.
The day to day running of the credit union is the responsibility of Chief Executive Marlene Shiels and the Senior Management Team, who are all committed to providing the highest levels of service in an efficient, professional and friendly manner.
We’re proud to be a member of the Building Societies Association.
A free service provided by the Money & Pensions Service (MaPS) aimed at giving you impartial help and making your money and pension choices clearer.
We signed the Money and Pensions Service Savings Charter, demonstrating our commitment to helping build a Nation of Savers to assist people in improving their financial security and wellbeing.
- Marlene Shiels, Chief Executive
- Rory Gaffney, Director of Operations
- Samantha Homer, Director of Finance & Compliance
All board members and staff adhere to a set of rules as prescribed by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Those rules are:
- You must act with integrity
- You must act with due skill, care and diligence
- You must be open and co-operative with the Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulation Authority and other regulators
- You must pay due regards to the interests of the customer and treat them fairly
- You must observe proper standards of market conduct
- You must act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers.
What makes us different?
Our members can save, borrow, use online banking – even take out their mortgage with us. However, unlike banks, we’re not-for-profit. That means we’re completely owned by our members, with no external shareholders.
We build wealth rather than debt because our members save a minimum of £15 a month, and any profits we make go right back into the credit union.
- We don't charge early repayment fees*
- We don't charge set-up fees
- We include free life insurance on savings and loans**
*excluding mortgages and Fast Track Loan ** terms and conditions apply
YOU benefit
The only person who benefits from a credit union… is you.
If you live or work in East of Scotland, employed by one of our Select Partners or a member of Community Trade Union, you’re eligible to become a member of EuroTrust Credit Access.
Credit unions are for everyone. Why not join?
Complaints
We’re committed to providing an excellent member service. We strive to ensure our service standard meets your expectations. If you’re not satisfied with the service level we provide we want to know so we can make sure it doesn’t happen again.
