BDS CREDIT UNION LTD
What is a Credit Union?
A Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution which provides an array of services to its members, including savings, loans and insurances. Credit Unions are owned by the people who use their services and are connected by a common bond based on the area they live in. They are operated on the principal of people helping people which allows the members to save together and lend to each other at a fair and reasonable rate of interest.
Each member has one vote and the volunteer directors of the Board are elected by the membership. As Credit Unions are owned by its members and not by external shareholders or investors, the emphasis is always on providing the best services to members and not maximising profits – they exist only to serve members.
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Surplus income generated is returned to members by the way of a dividend and/or is directed to improve or add additional services for members within the capability of the Credit Union. Credit Unions may also chose to pay a loan interest rebate, which is a refund of loan interest paid to all members who borrowed from that Credit Union during the preceding financial year.
History of BDS Credit Union
BDS Credit Union Limited is a not-for-profit, member owned organisation established by local people within the Saintfield area following an identified need to provide opportunities and access to financial services to improve quality of life and living standards of people in the area.
BDS Credit Union was formed in 1969 in the Parochial House on the Crossgar Road, Saintfield.
As its membership grew BDS expanded by operating in two sub-offices, St Mary's Primary School in Ballygowan and St Caolan's Primary School in Darragh Cross.
In 2004 with the help of grants from the European Union and the Heritage Lottery Fund, BDS was able to open their own premises at 8 Main Street Saintfield where they remain today with over 3000 members across the common bond area.
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Our mission statement and vision remains unchanged from that established through the principles and values of our founder members ‘to provide financial services to meet the current and future needs of all our members and those who are living or working within the common bond.
