Dear Member,

In this edition, we’re gearing up for the festive season with helpful tips on Christmas budgeting, avoiding holiday sales traps, and understanding your credit score.

You’ll also find our Christmas Opening Hours and an exciting opportunity to earn £20 by sharing your Thamesbank story. Check out the Members Noticeboard for all the details.

Get ready for a joyful, stress-free holiday with our expert insights and resources.

With warm regards,

The Thamesbank editorial team

12 sneaky sales tactics to avoid this Black Friday

Sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be an excellent time to score real deals, however be mindful of the gimmicks. We have put together 12 common marketing tactics to watch out for so you can keep your shopping budget in check.

Celebrate Christmas on a budget – money-saving tips

Christmas on a budget can still feel festive and full of joy! We have some tips to make the season special without breaking the bank.

Your guide to credit scores – a three-part series

Part 2: Understanding and checking your credit report

Welcome back to the second part of our guide to credit scores. Last time, we covered why your credit score matters. Now, we’ll dive into understanding what your credit score really means and why regularly checking it is so important.

One of the best ways to stay on top of your credit score is by regularly checking your credit report. Credit referencing agencies like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion offer services that allow you to track your credit report and score. It’s important to check your report because it gives a clear overview of your financial health and what lenders see when deciding to approve or deny credit.

What does your credit score mean?

Your credit score is updated in real time and can be checked whenever you log in to a credit report service. Here’s a general guide to what your score means across the three main credit referencing agencies:

• 0 – 550: Very Poor
• 551 – 565: Poor
• 566 – 603: Fair
• 604 – 627: Good
• 628 – 710: Excellent

If your score falls within the lower ranges, don’t worry – it’s possible to improve it over time. But it’s crucial to start by understanding where you stand. Simply being aware of your score and what it means can give you an advantage when applying for credit.

Stay tuned for our next issue in January, where we'll dive into practical tips and strategies to help you boost your credit score and strengthen your financial standing.

Don’t let a loan shark ruin your Christmas

Christmas is coming – a time of parties, presents, good food and family celebrations. But it can also bring stress, worry and financial pressure.

Loan sharks recognise this, and it can be a time of year when they take advantage of the most vulnerable by pretending that they are helping out in a time of need.

This Christmas, the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) aka the Stop Loan Sharks team is warning people that however tempting that offer of a loan might be and however friendly someone might seem, they should be aware that there could be a loan shark lurking beneath the surface.

On our website, you can read the signs of how to spot a loan shark and what to do if you know someone that has fallen victim of one.

Thamesbank Christmas Savings Account

Embrace the joy of the festive season without the stress of finances! Open a Christmas Savings Account with Thamesbank Credit Union today.

Picture this: December 2025, and you're not worried about last-minute shopping or stretching your budget. With our account, you can save hassle-free from January till December. Your funds are automatically deposited into your nominated account by the end of November, ensuring you have a jolly and stress-free Christmas.

Start the new year with a smart financial move. Reach out to us at admin@thamesbank.org and let's make this Christmas and every one after it, merrier.

Christmas Loan

Excitement fills the air as the festive season approaches—a time for cherished moments with loved ones. However, we understand the holiday juggle between joyful celebrations and unexpected expenses like fixing a faulty boiler right before the festivities.

At Thamesbank, we're here to lighten your load with our Christmas Loan. Say goodbye to the stress of choosing between Christmas gifts and urgent repairs. Unlike pricey credit cards or doorstep lenders, our rates are affordable. You can borrow up to three times the amount you've saved in your basic savings account, capped at an extra £10,000 above your savings.

Let us help you make this Christmas merry and worry-free. Apply for a Christmas Loan today.

Words of wisdom

The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things. – Thomas S. Monson

Members noticeboard

Share your Thamesbank story and earn £20

Has Thamesbank Credit Union made a difference in your life? Whether we’ve supported you during a challenging time or helped you achieve a financial goal, we’d love to hear your story.

We’re looking for five members to share their experiences in a short Zoom interview. Don’t worry - your name can stay private if you prefer.

As a thank-you for your time, we’ll deposit £20 into your Thamesbank Savings Account.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait. It’s first come, first served. Email us by 12 December 2024 at admin@thamesbank.org, and we’ll schedule interviews as responses come in.

Thank you for being part of the Thamesbank family - we can’t wait to hear from you!

Christmas Opening Hours

The office will be closed from midday on Tuesday, 24 December 2024 and reopen on Thursday, 02 January 2025 at 8am.

The deadline for share withdrawals, if not made through the members' area, to ensure processing before Christmas is Thursday, 19 December 2024. For withdrawals online or via the App, the cutoff is Tuesday, 24 December 2024 at 10am.

The deadline application for loans is Thursday, 19 December 2024. We require the application and all supporting documents by the close of business on that day.

We will make every effort to process any late requests. However, we cannot guarantee immediate processing. Requests received after the deadline will be handled upon our return if unable to process immediately.

Have you joined the Sercle App?

The Sercle App is a secure, user-friendly mobile app that connects members to Thamesbank Credit Union 24/7, offering real-time access to your account and the ability to stay connected with us whenever you need.

How to get the app:

Downloading the Sercle App is quick and easy! It’s available for free to both existing and prospective members.

Junior Savings Account – special offer

Is your child under 18 and excited to start saving? As a parent, guardian, or grandparent, you can help them build a secure financial future. With our Junior Savings Account, you can save anywhere from £5 to £100 per month.

For a limited time, we're offering a special bonus. New accounts will receive a bonus instalment—50% credited on the 1st anniversary and 50% on the 2nd anniversary of opening the account.

Interested? Simply email us at admin@thamesbank.org to get started. Don't forget to share this flyer with friends and family.

Are you a new payroll saver?

If you’ve recently joined our Salary Saving Scheme, you’re eligible to apply for a loan this December. You would need to complete our online application form. 

You can borrow between £3,000 and £5,000, with repayment terms up to 60 months and an APR ranging from 12.7%. Subject to credit and affordability checks. Terms and conditions apply.

Lottery - enter now

As a member of Thamesbank Credit Union, you have the chance to enter the lottery, run by our back-office provider, Credit Union Solutions (CUS).

Each entry is £1, and each member can have up to 10 chances per month.

For all the details, to enter the lottery and to see past winners, visit the Credit Union Solutions (CUS) website.

Share this newsletter

Please feel free to share this newsletter with your colleagues, friends and anyone else who may be interested in the content within it. 

With thanks from the Thamesbank editorial team.

Thamesbank Credit Union Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Firm Reference Number No. 416486).

Ethical and affordable finances  |  Helping you to save and borrow

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