Credit unions in Great Britain: recent trends and current prospects

Against the current backdrop of deteriorating economic and financial conditions,the authors consider recent trends and current prospects for credit unions in GreatBritain. Although credit unions have experienced solid membership and assetgrowth, there are clouds on the horizon. Bad debts and loan arrears are on therise and may be linked to recent legislative amendments and the increasing use bygovernment of credit unions as a mechanism to achieve its financial inclusiongoals. Whatever the reason, the deterioration in the loan book needs to be quicklyaddressed, or it will ultimately result in either more government bailouts or astream of failing credit unions.