Wearsidefirst Credit Union in Washington and across Sunderland

Wearsidefirst is a mutual organisation operating throughout the City of Sunderland. We are made up of a Board of Voluntary Directors, local volunteers and workers. As a mutual organisation our aim is to offer savings and affordable low cost loans to the people of Sunderland, allowing them to take the first step towards taking control of their finances.

We offer many of the services of a bank; however we do not have share or stockholders to pay so we don’t have to make them a profit. Being a mutual organisation means ALL our profits are given back to you, our members.

To become a member of Wearsidefirst is easy; the main membership requirement is that you are “within the Common Bond”. That means you need to Live or Work in the City of Sunderland, all you need to do then is complete a short membership application form Download the application form by clicking here ( PDF file)

Provide two documents to confirm identification, one from each of the following lists:

Evidence of Person
Valid Passport
Driving Licence
Inland Revenue “Notice of Coding” (current year)
DSS Benefit Award Letter

Pension Book

HM Forces ID Card

Evidence of Address
Utility Bill – dated within the last three months (a mobile phone bill is not acceptable).
Council Tax Bill
Bank/Building Society Statement – recent
Rent Book – recent
Medical Card (current address)
Benefits Agency Letter – recent
Mail Order/Credit Card statement – recent
CRB Police Check

Please note that a Wearside First representative must see the original copy of the above documents and if the document contains a signature, check that this matches the signature provided on the application form. In addition, please note that Wearside First cannot accept the same document to prove both identification and address.

Your next step is to make your initial savings deposit of at least £4.00* (this includes the £3.00 Membership Fee) and to select how you wish to make future deposits to your Savings Plan. The following options are available:

Direct Debit
Standing Order
Payroll Deduction (available if your Employer has signed up to the scheme)
Cash Deposits at Head Office
A Collection Point of your choice or at Gentto Sunderland Ltd

*Please note that the maximum total amount you can hold in savings at present is £10,000.

Accessibility & Terms

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