Meet the Community Group-November 2024

Each month we’ll be chatting to a Community Account member, to find out more about what they do in our communities. Our first Q&A is with Powys based account, UK Loggers (UKL). Andrew Davies, Powys Development Manager for SMC spoke with Dorienne Robinson of the group to find out why the group thought Smart Money Cymru was a good fit for them.

Tell us about UKL and your involvement
UK Loggers is a not for profit organisation the purpose is to –
To organise an annual competition to determine the UK’s precision chainsaw champion and select the team to represent the UK at the following years world championship.
To promote and support the wider UK’s precision chainsaw competition circuit.
To provide information and support to the members to assist in the development of their skills in precision chain saw competition.
To raise public interest in precision chainsaw competition, forestry and arboriculture and attract the sponsors.
I have attended events regularly over the last 15 years, as my husband is a member and a competitor. I was asked to become treasurer last year. I have managed the accounts for my own businesses for many years, so didn’t see it as a challenge, and was, and still am, happy to help.

Why chose Smart Money Cymru Community Bank?
When I took over as treasurer I needed to set up a bank account for the group, as all funds had previously been held in a private account. I wanted to bank ethically, and dare I say, in a slightly old fashioned style, where I could see and talk to a human being:)

What are the benefits for your group, do you think?
The main benefits are how easy it is to talk to someone, and quite often face to face. We also have to make foreign payments, particularly when it’s time for the World Logging Event. Smart Money Cymru has done some very much appreciated ‘hand holding’ with me to do this.

With no external shareholders and a focus on cooperative principles - how important is the ethical aspect of SMC?
The ethical principles are a major, in fact the key, aspect of SMC that made me choose to bank with them above all other banking systems. It’s fundamental to my principles, and I’m very appreciative of the UK Loggers coming on board with me.

What about the online banking aspect and 24/7 access to your account – is that an important consideration for your group?
It’s not an important consideration. There is little daily activity involving the account. Periods of activity happen around the various events that take place annually. That can be three/four times a year. Again, the main reasons for choosing SMC are the ethics and the easy human contact.

Finally, UKL joined us almost a year ago, how easy was setting up?
It was very easy. Again, I have to thank the personal service and face to face contact that I was able to have with Andrew Davies. It was like having a proper ‘bank manger’ again. SMC took all the pain and stress out of setting up.

To find out more about UK Loggers click here: Home - UK Loggers