Posts by Adrian Davies
Save as You Borrow: a unique way to build savings
Last reviewed May 2026 i QUICK ANSWER Save As You Borrow (SAYB) is a scheme offered by many credit unions where, alongside your regular loan repayments, you also save. The savings go into a regular shares account in your name. The amount you have to save differs between credit unions, but typically the minimum is…
Read MoreWhy the Electoral Roll improves your credit score
Last reviewed May 2026 i QUICK ANSWER Registering on the electoral roll lets lenders verify your identity against a public record, which reduces fraud risk and helps your application pass identity checks. Experian estimates it can lift your credit score by around 50 points. Registration is free and updates appear on your credit file within…
Read MoreCredit Unions and Banks: what’s the difference?
Last reviewed May 2026 i QUICK ANSWER A credit union is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative. A bank is shareholder-owned and profit-driven. Both offer savings and loans, both are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and both protect your money up to £120,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). When it comes to borrowing…
Read MoreStrengthening the Credit Committee
Credit committees are built on something banks have never managed to replicate: a group of people who know their community. Who believe every application deserves a fair hearing. That’s a genuine strength. However focusing too much on assessing individual applications misses a much bigger strategic opportunity. Credit committees with aggregated data can consider the wider…
Read MoreWhat is a credit score and why does it matter?
Last reviewed April 2026 i QUICK ANSWER A credit score is a number, typically between 0 and 999, that lenders use to assess how reliably you manage borrowing and repayments. The higher your score, the more likely you are to be approved for credit and offered lower interest rates. Scores are calculated by the three…
Read MoreA default can stop you getting credit
Last reviewed April 2026 i QUICK ANSWER A default is registered on your credit file when you miss six consecutive payments on a credit agreement. It stays on your file for six years and makes it significantly harder to be approved for credit. You can still take steps to improve your profile while waiting for…
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