Skip to main content

Looking after your financial interests

Members' financial wellbeing is the Credit Union's number one goal. Members are encouraged to save as they repay their loans. Additionally, we provide saving and borrowing tips.

Low cost loans

Loans are affordable. Importantly, unlike other lenders our rates are capped. Because of this, we never charge more than 42.6% APR. Therefore, a £500 loan paid back over 28 weeks costs just £51.

Save as You Borrow

We all need a nudge to save more. Therefore, when you borrow from Sovereign a proportion of your repayment is allocated to a savings account. Consequently, you'll need to borrow less in the future.

Importantly, loans come with free loan insurance. Consequently, should you die when you still have an outstanding loan it will be repaid. This is subject to terms and conditions.

Savings protected by the FSCS

Savings in the Credit Union are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Up to £85,000 is protected, per person. This is the same level of protection as savings in a bank or building society. Read more.

Free insurance

Savings insurance is provided free to members. Because of this, up to twice the value of your savings are passed to your beneficiary upon your death. Additionally, we provide free loan insurance. Therefore, should you die when still owing the Credit Union money, the debt would be written off. This is subject to limits.

Community based and local

Sovereign Credit Union is for the local community. Because of this, people must live or work in our ‘common bond’ of Ayrshire, Arran, Dumfries & Galloway to join us.

But also part of an international movement

86,000 credit unions in 118 countries serve 290 million members. They collectively own £1.5 trillion of assets.

We’re a non-profit co-operative

Co-operatives operate differently to ordinary businesses. For example, our Board of Directors is directly elected by, and from, our membership. Importantly, this is on a one person, one vote, basis. Consequently, members have an equal say in the running of the business.

Read more about co-operative principles.

Regulated

Credit Unions are Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority Firm Ref. No 213993

Webform Join

  • Current Applicant details
  • Nominee/Beneficiary details
  • Complete

To apply for membership you must: 

  • Live, work or worship within the 'common bond', or

  • be in the same household as an existing member 

If you are unsure whether you qualify for membership, please contact us and one of are team will be able to verify this for you. 

Important information

This application is for membership only. If you wish to apply for a loan at the same time as applying for membership of the Credit Union, then you should use the loan application form here.

Membership terms and conditions are governed by the rule book

Membership entitles you to take part in the governance of the Credit Union in a democratic way. Provided they have paid all membership fees and are a valid member: each member has a share in the company, regardless of their share / savings balance, entitling them to 1 vote at any AGM, GM or SGM. 

Membership fees are payable on joining the Credit Union and then again at a weekly/monthly/annual rate, as will be decided from time-to-time by the board of directors.

We will use identity verification software to verify your identity as part of the application process.

Checks will be made against Credit Referencing & Fraud Prevention Agencies. A search may be registered against your credit record for this purpose.

We reserve the right to refuse your membership application.

Before you proceed, please ensure that you have:

1) Proof of Address: Driving Licence, Utility Bill, Bank/ Credit Card  Statement, Council Tax Bill, Benefits/DWP Letter, Equifax Report

2) Proof of Identity: Passport, Driving Licence, Scottish Govt. Bus Pass,  Birth Certificate, Young Scot Card

You will be required to take a photograph of one document from list 1) and one document from list 2) and upload them to us during the application process. 
If you do not have the required documentation then please contact us

The form will take approxamately 15 minutes to complete 

Privacy and terms
To read the full privacy policy please click here: privacy policy
To read the full terms and conditions please click here: Terms & conditions
Who is the account for?
If you only have a mobile phone number please enter it here
What is your name and date of birth?
Proof of Identity: Passport, Driving Licence, Scottish Govt. Bus Pass,  Birth Certificate, Young Scot Card
One file only.
50 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg.
We ask for your bank details so that when you wish to withdraw money in the future, we can action that request more quickly
What is your current address?
Any one of the following: Driving Licence, Utility Bill, Bank/ Credit Card  Statement, Council Tax Bill, Benefits/DWP Letter, Equifax Report
One file only.
50 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg.
Have you lived here for at least 12 months?
What was your previous address?
And your address before that?

You can apply for up to 4 junior members at a time

What is the name of the first child you wish to apply for membership for?
Proof of Identity: Passport or Birth Certificate
One file only.
50 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg.
What is their current address?
These include relastionships by way of marriage and/or adoption
Would you like to apply for another Junior Membership account?
What is their name?
Proof of Identity: Passport or Birth Certificate
One file only.
50 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg.
What is their current address?
These include relastionships by way of marriage and/or adoption
Would you like to apply for a third Junior Membership account?
What is their name?
Proof of Identity: Passport or Birth Certificate
One file only.
50 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg.
What is their current address?
These include relastionships by way of marriage and/or adoption
Would you like to apply for a fouth Junior Membership account?
What is their name?
Proof of Identity: Passport or Birth Certificate
One file only.
50 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg.
What is their current address?
These include relastionships by way of marriage and/or adoption