Posts by Adrian Davies
How Northern Ireland Credit Unions Can Win Younger Members
The average age of a credit union loan applicant in Northern Ireland is 44 years. In Great Britain, it’s 38. That six-year gap isn’t just a statistic; it’s a warning sign. A membership that skews older isn’t standing still. Older members borrow less, save more, and eventually stop needing financial services altogether. A credit union…
Read MoreSoft vs hard credit check: what’s the difference?
Last reviewed February 2026 i QUICK ANSWER A soft credit check looks at your credit file but doesn’t leave a footprint other lenders can see, and it has no effect on your credit score. A hard credit check leaves a footprint and is recorded when you formally apply for credit. A single hard check usually…
Read MoreWhy members walk away (and how to stop them)
Every loan application that doesn’t complete is a missed opportunity, for the member who needed credit, and for the credit union trying to grow its loan book. Withdrawal rate is the metric that captures this attrition. Critically, for many credit unions it’s quietly undermining growth in ways that don’t always get the attention they deserve.…
Read More5 ways credit cards reduce your credit score
Last reviewed February 2026 i QUICK ANSWER Credit cards can help build your credit history when used carefully. But poor management can damage your score. The five main pitfalls are: carrying a high balance, going over your limit, withdrawing cash, maxing out your card quickly, and making multiple applications in a short period. When used…
Read More7 ways to optimise Credit Builder Loans
Credit builder loans can help members improve their credit score. The reality is a 15% accept rate and little improvement on scores in the short term. But the problem isn’t the product. It’s the approach. One name, three markets 3.2 million UK adults have adverse credit history including CCJs or defaults. 1.5 million have what…
Read MoreHow financial associations affect your credit profile
Last reviewed February 2026 i QUICK ANSWER Financial associations link your credit file to another person’s. Even if you separate finances, the link stays unless you file a notice of disassociation with each credit reference agency.. What is a financial association? A financial association is a formal link between two people’s credit files, created when…
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