The Development Team highlight a record-breaking Christmas for Smart Money Cymru Community Bank

In the run up to Christmas, Smart Money Cymru Community Bank has broken last year’s performance record, which is fantastic news for the business, members, and the communities we serve.

We have been able to support many more new members, with over 800 joining since November to date and demand is continuing. With record breaking membership and loan applications received, we are thrilled to share that our Christmas loan campaign is the most successful in our history reflecting the dedication and teamwork that goes on behind the scenes to make sure our members have the Christmas they want.

Each loan application we receive is assessed by a dedicated member of staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure that many families and individuals had access to the funds they needed, through a responsible, ethical finance company-ensuring Christmas is stress-free for our members and communities here in Wales.

These loans represent more than a simple transaction; they can be a lifeline to members who need help to make the festive season brighter without the burden of financial stress. For us, it is about knowing our services are building financial resilience in our communities. Our Christmas Savings accounts meant many members were able to access savings they had built throughout the year, making Christmas shopping and celebrations easier, highlighting the power of saving. No matter how much or often, putting small amounts away can lead to big rewards, at the time it matters the most. We are proud to have supported our members on embracing the habit of saving and reaping the benefits during the festive season and are excited for it to begin again in the New Year.

Of course, our success is not measured in numbers alone; it is measured on the impact we have had on our members and communities in Wales. Every conversation, every new member, every loan application, and every penny saved demonstrates how Smart Money Cymru are committed to putting members first and changing lives.

The Chair of the Board, Alun Taylor, said,

“This is especially good news given our declining performance over the past few difficult years given the challenges we faced last Christmas pushing forward developing a new and more effective management team and business model and a re-focused staff team committed to delivering the best possible service to our members. All are behind the core values of Credit Unions particularly emphasising the importance of saving and of course affordable loans, which is clearly having a significant impact. Of course, much more needs to be done in the coming year to implement our new business model.

We encourage families and individuals to join Smart Money Cymru in 2026 and open their Christmas accounts in preparation for an even better Christmas next year.”

A huge thank you to our incredible Smart Money Cymru Community Bank team and our loyal members for making this possible.