• CPCU still open for reduced hours – social distancing protocols in place
• Support for loan applications taken by phone or post
• Luke thanks Plymouth Credit Union for supporting residents throughout this crisis

Luke has thanked City of Plymouth Credit Union (CPCU) for the efforts they are taking to support Plymouth residents and businesses throughout this crisis, offering fair and competitive rates on loans, support to help people manage loan repayments and access to cash for those who have no other way to access their money.

Credit Unions offer a cooperative and real community-based alternative to banks and building societies. Using members’ savings, they can provide loans at affordable, highly-competitive interest rates. They also provide assistance to members with budget accounts to help ensure those important bills are paid on time.

City of Plymouth Credit Union is still open and supporting people in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.  They have additional staff and doubled phone lines to support taking more calls on 01752 201329 and you can contact them by email contact@cpcu.co.uk

Their office at Frankfort Gate is still open from 10:00-16:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for those who don’t have a bank account or prepaid card, with protections in place for staff and customers.  Please don’t use this service unless you absolutely have to to avoid unnecessary travel and protection for staff. Please check their website https://cpcu.co.uk/ to ensure the office hasn’t had to close due to the ongoing crisis.

Cash payments

If you have no other way to access your money and need to withdraw cash, this can be done at the office in Frankfort Gate.  They have installed screens there to protect staff and will only have 1 person in the office at a time so that everyone can keep their distance – the office isn’t large enough to accommodate more people. You may have to wait outside to be served, so please be patient.

If they are forced to close the Frankfort Gate office, they can make arrangements to pay any cash withdrawals into your bank account or prepaid card. If you don’t have a bank account or prepaid card, you can have your cash withdrawal paid into someone who you trust’s bank account or prepaid card. Failing this, please contact them or fill in this form and return it to one of their offices.

The Devonport office will be closed to the public until further notice, to help to protect staff.

Loan Applications

They are still taking applications for loans but only by post and on the phone, so things may take a little longer than usual. The usual process still applies before issuing loans, they will only issue cash at Frankfort Gate and only if it’s not possible to do a transfer to another account for you.

They will still consider applications from new members but only if they have saved the loan repayment for 5 weeks or 2 monthly payments.  As the future is less certain, they have decided not to accept applications for loans above £3,000 and won’t be accepting applications for Debt Consolidation or Holidays.

Loan Repayments

Income from employment and self-employment is likely to change in the coming months so they are asking you to call as soon as you have a concern that you may not be able to make your repayments on time or at the agreed level – that way they can try to make a plan that works for everyone.

Payments and Transfers

CPCU have always been able to pay bills for you, transferring your money to wherever you ask. If you call, they can arrange to do that – that way you won’t have to make an unnecessary journey and you won’t get behind on payments.

They have a news page which we will update regularly together with articles on their blog.

They are here to help, so if you have any suggestions, you can get in touch with them here