Back in 2017, a few of our members had a dream and a vision. Our dream was about the prosperity and stability of our members and community. Our vision was about where our community will be in a hundred years. Over a period of 8 years, we developed ideas, processes and a viable business plan which met with strict financial regulatory compliance. Today, we exist to foster prosperity, stability and inter-generational wealth within our community. By offering Sharia-compliant (“halal”) savings and loan products, alongside financial education and welfare support, we aim to:
• Place the community at the heart of everything we do
• Encourage a culture of regular saving
• Provide ethical, interest-free financing
• Promote social and economic wellbeing of families (free from poverty)
• Create employment and volunteer opportunities

Our community faces low savings habits, short-term financial planning, individualism (each person On Your Own), none/poor succession planning and limited access to Sharia-compliant finance. AlBirr CU counters these by:
• Encouraging collective saving and budgeting
• Offering interest-free loans as an alternative to high-cost credit
• Providing proactive support Add an answer here.

• Ownership: Members are both customers and stakeholders.
• Not-for-profit: Surpluses are reinvested or returned to members, not shareholders.
• Sharia-compliant: All products adhere to Islamic finance principles.
• Tailored to our community: Designed for members of our aligned community groups.

Our community deserves a financial institution crafted precisely for our needs. One that fosters the discipline of regular saving, empowers members with ethical, interest-free loans, and fuels both start-ups and established enterprises. By pooling our resources, we can accelerate community development initiatives and deliver targeted interventions that drive meaningful growth for every member.

As a predominantly Muslim community of Nigerian heritage, we possess distinct values, aspirations and challenges. Establishing our own credit union allows us to embed those unique characteristics into every product and service, ensuring a deliberate, bespoke strategy for creating and sustaining intergenerational wealth. In doing so, we honour our heritage while building a prosperous future for generations to come.

Membership is open to individuals affiliated with Vanguard Community and partner organisations (e.g. FOMWA UK, MAN UK & TMP) and members of their families.

1. Our members are drawn from Vanguard Community, FOMWA UK, MAN UK & TMP. If you are not a member any of the above organisations, then please contact us directly.
2. Complete the online membership application on our website.
3. Pay the annual membership fee of £5.

Becoming a member of AlBirr Credit Union unlocks a range of advantages designed to support your financial wellbeing, uphold your values and strengthen our community:
1. Sharia-Compliant, Ethical Finance: All savings and loan products adhere to Islamic finance principles, so you can save and borrow with confidence that your money is managed responsibly.
2. Competitive Returns & Profit Sharing: Unlike conventional banks, surplus funds are returned to members through an annual dividend, boosting your savings beyond standard interest rates.
3. FSCS Protection: Your deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000, giving you peace of mind that your savings are secure.
4. Interest-Free Loans: Access affordable, interest-free financing for personal needs, business start-ups or community projects, with flexible repayment plans tailored to your circumstances. Fixed admin charges are applicable.
5. Democratic Ownership & Governance: Each member has an equal vote at our Annual General Meeting, ensuring transparency and that every voice shapes our strategic direction.
6. Targeted Community Development: Our profits are reinvested locally: funding educational workshops, welfare support and initiatives that create sustainable, inter-generational wealth.
7. Financial Education & Support: Benefit from complimentary workshops, one-to-one budgeting advice and guidance on responsible borrowing, helping you make informed money-management decisions.
8. Convenient Digital Banking: Manage your account anytime via our secure online portal and mobile app, with instant notifications on savings, payments and loan repayments.
9. Milestones Savings: From Hajj & Umrah savings funds to Junior Savers, Eid and Holidays Accounts, our suite of purpose-driven savings plans helps you achieve life’s key moments.
10. Strong Community Network: Join a supportive network of like-minded members, predominantly of Nigerian heritage, working together to uplift families, entrepreneurs and the wider community.

By uniting under AlBirr Credit Union, you not only secure better financial products for yourself, but also play an active role in building a more prosperous, resilient community for generations to come.

We offer a range of named savings accounts – each protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000—including:
• Regular Shares & Savings Accounts
• Hajj & Umrah Savings
• Junior Savers
• Holiday & Eid Savings

Yes. Complete our Salary Deduction part of the Membership Form and we will liaise with your employer’s payroll to set up a regular transfer.

All loans are interest-free and tailored to member needs:
• Personal & Emergency Loans
• Loan Refinancing (existing debts)
• Household Goods Financing
• Hajj & Umrah Loan
• Entrepreneur & Business Start-Up Loans

You may apply for a loan once you have held membership for a minimum of three months. Loan limits depend on your savings balance and repayment capacity, assessed under our Responsible Lending Policy.

We follow the FCA’s Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles. If you experience repayment difficulty, we will:
• Re-assess your income and expenditure to agree an affordable repayment plan
• Offer repayment holidays or reduced instalments
• Signpost to free debt-advice services (e.g. Citizens Advice)
• In the case of terminal illness or long-term incapacity, we will consider loan write-off via a Sadaqah Fund

• Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)
• Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Member savings protected by the FSCS up to £85,000

We are committed to:
• Treating Customers Fairly (TCF)
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Robust Data Protection (GDPR compliance)
• Transparent Fees & Charges
• Strong Corporate Governance

• Quarterly Newsletter (by email or post)
• Regular website news items
• SMS and in-app notifications via our mobile banking platform

We aim to resolve issues quickly. If you are unhappy, please:
1. Complete our online Complaints Form
2. Email: info@albirrcreditunion.co.uk
3. Call: 07932 888243
If we cannot resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, you may refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Email: contactus@albirrcreditunion.co.uk
Or call: 07932 888243.

• Membership Application Form
• Loan & Savings Policy Documents
• Salary Deduction & Withdrawal Forms