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Help & frequently
asked questions

Request your share withdrawal here
You may withdraw your credit union savings upon request, members are however, encouraged to maintain their savings balance wherever possible to:

Maintain their savings history.
Maintain their capacity to borrow.
Provide a better basis for dividend payments.
An alternative to share withdrawal may be for you to take a loan with repayments suited to your financial circumstances, subject to our Loans Policy.

If you are transferring funds to an external personal bank account, we will send the funds to the bank account you’ve previously registered with us. Bank transfers can take up-to 3 working days to get to you. The minimum you can transfer is £5.00.

You may make up to four free withdrawals using this facility in any twelve month period. If you go over this limit, we will make of charge of £1.50 every time we send a payment to your personal bank account on your behalf. This charge takes effect from 15th August 2016. We will deduct this charge from your account. Transfers between your 6Towns accounts are not affected.

Requests are processed during office hours, our office hours are:

Monday – Friday

10:00 – 16:00

Request your share withdrawal here

Membership and Accounts

Engage pre-paid card fees
If you have a Engage pre-paid card, 6Towns will make the charges below.

Engage Card on sign up – FREE

New card following expiry of old card – card has three year cycle – FREE

POS Transaction, including online purchase – FREE

Balance inquiry – ATM £0.10

PIN Management at ATM FREE

ATM Transaction in UK – (£250 daily limit) £0.75

Declined Transaction FREE

Weekly card charge to Member £0.89
Maintain their savings history.
Maintain their capacity to borrow.
Provide a better basis for dividend payments.
An alternative to share withdrawal may be for you to take a loan with repayments suited to your financial circumstances, subject to our Loans Policy.

If you are transferring funds to an external personal bank account, we will send the funds to the bank account you’ve previously registered with us. Bank transfers can take up-to 3 working days to get to you. The minimum you can transfer is £5.00.

You may make up to four free withdrawals using this facility in any twelve month period. If you go over this limit, we will make of charge of £1.50 every time we send a payment to your personal bank account on your behalf. This charge takes effect from 15th August 2016. We will deduct this charge from your account. Transfers between your 6Towns accounts are not affected.

Requests are processed during office hours, our office hours are:

Monday – Friday

10:00 – 16:00

Request your share withdrawal here

GDPR - New Privacy Rules
The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives individual more control over how their personal data is used and makes it easier for them to check and update the information we, and other organisations hold

Download file here

Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
What;s a standing order and who can O pay by standing order from my account?
A Standing Order is an instruction to make regular fixed payments to a particular person or organization. To set up a standing order you will need to complete a form and return it to 6Towns. you can download the form below.

Download standing order instruction form

How do i apply for a dishwasher, PlayStation, tv, etc?
6Towns Credit Union has an arrangement with Co Op Electrical. Therefore, If you see an item which you would like to purchase on the Co Op Electrical website, then you should make a note of the product name, code and amount. You should then click here to apply for a loan. If your loan for this product is approved, you will need to sign a loan agreement. Once this agreement has been signed 6Towns will disburse the loan funds into your current account, you will then need to order you item online using your debit card.
I only receive benefits: can i still apply for a loan?
Yes, if you are only in receipt of benefits you can apply for a loan as long as you are member of 6Towns Credit Union.
How do i Access my funds?
You can access your current account funds, by using your 6Towns Debit card. This can be used at ATMs and all stores which show the Mastercard symbol. To access funds in your other accounts, please log in online here to manage your accounts. If you have not already registered, please click here to complete the registration form online.
Can I make cash withdrawal at the office?
We do not offer cash out facilities at any of our branches. However if you have a 6Towns Debit card then this can be used at all ATMs or stores which show the Mastercard symbol.
When can i withdraw my christmas money?
Your Christmas savings are available from the first working day of November. You can transfer your Christmas savings online by logging into your account online. when available
How do i find out my account balance?
To view your balance please log in online here. If you have not already registered, please click here to complete the registration form online. If you have a debit card you can view your current account balance at an ATM, or by texting 07537400600 using the format below. Texts are charged at your standard network rate.

How do i transfer funds from my 6towns account?
To transfer funds from your 6Towns account, you need to log into you online banking. All our services are automated and all requested are processed online. We do not accept requests via telephone or email.
What are the charges for using my account?
There some small charges for some of the services which we provide. For full list of charges please click here for our terms and conditions.
What are my account details (sort code and account number) and how would i pay my money in?
Your account details will be sent with your welcome pack in the post. However they can also be found online, once you log into your online banking. Your sort code is 6 digits long and your account number is 8 digits long. To pay money into your account you will need to give your sort code and account number to whoever is making payment into your account.
Why do i have a current account, I only wanted to save?
When applying for membership at 6Towns Credit Union you are also applying for a current account. You do not have to use your current account. However if you apply for a loan, your repayment will be taken from this account.
What is a current account? are there any charges?
When applying for membership with 6Towns Credit Union you are also applying for a current account. A current account, offers a debit card. This allows 24/7 access to your funds. A facility to set up Direct Debits and Standing Orders is also available from this account.

Download products-services and internet usage – General terms and conditions

What accounts attract a dividend?
Savings Plus, Christmas and Junior Savings Plus accounts attract dividend. If you have a corporate account this rate may differ to the usual rate applied to accounts.
When will the dividend be declared?
The dividend rate if any will declared at the Annual General Meeting that takes place at the end of each financial year. 6Towns financial years run from 1st April to 31st March.
Will I get interest on my account?
Credit Unions do not pay interest. Instead we pay a dividend. Dividends are paid annually, after operating expenses and reserve allocations have been allowed. At the end of each financial year, which runs from 1st April – 31st March, an Annual General Meeting, also known as AGM, will take place to agree on a rate if any. The dividend is calculated based on the average daily balance of your 6Towns account. Not all accounts are dividends bearing.
How much can i save in my account and what would happen if i exceeded the limit?
You can save as little as you like or up to £15000. Your account is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. As your account is protected by the FSCS, if you were to exceed the limit then your funds are still protected. However funds exceeding this limit would not be protected by 6Towns.
Is my money safe, who are you regulated by?
Savings are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Your eligible deposits with 6Towns Credit Union Ltd are protected up to a total of £75,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

For more information visit www.fscs.org.uk or view the online leaflet.

Give us a call on 0121 553 3110 if you would like any more information.

6Towns Credit Union is Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority

Our Firm Reference Number 419396

how does the priority account work for rent or bills?
A priority account is set up for the purpose of holding rent funds. This is either housing benefit payments, or top ups from any other benefits or wages. To set up a priority account, you must first join as member. You must then request for a priority account to be open this can be done by emailing [email protected] Once your membership is complete and you have a priority account, you must then complete a tenant consent form which can be found here. You should also advise how you want to pay into you priority account as these forms vary based on the payment you will be making into your priority account. Your landlord should also complete a registration form, which can be found here.

Landlords are paid on the 28th of each month or the next working day. A £5 fee is deducted from your account each transfer which is completed. This fee is the landlords’ fee. For further information about the Priority account please see the full terms and conditions here

If your landlord, does not want to register with 6Towns, then your housing benefit payment will be returned to Sandwell council. 6Towns policy states that all payments should be made directly to landlords.

What's the difference between the 6towns bank accounts?
We offer a variety of accounts, which all have different features to suit each member. Each account has its sort code and account number, this provides easier management when depositing into accounts.

Allocated Funds – This account is provided with membership, this will hold £1.00 only and keeps your membership active.

Current Account –This is provided with membership, it is fully functional with the option to have a debit card, for 24/7 access to your funds. Standing order and Direct Debit facilities are also available.

Savings Plus Account – This is a savings account, you can save as little as like with no obligation to save continuously. Your funds can be accessed any time of the year, no restrictions in place.

Junior Savings Plus Account – This is a savings account for members under the age of 16, you can save as little as like with no obligation to save continuously. Your funds can be accessed any time of the year, no restrictions in place. When members turn 16 there account will automatically be upgraded to a Savings Plus Account. New account details will be provided.

Christmas Account – This is also a savings account, can you can save as little as you like with no obligation to save continuously. However once funds reach your Christmas account they cannot be accessed until the first working day of November each year. The restriction is then reinstated after Christmas Day.

Priority Account – This is currently used to hold rent payments. Any housing benefit payments received into your 6Towns Account will be deposited into your priority account. Once payments are received into you priority account, you will no longer be able to access these funds. 6Towns Policy states that all payments will be paid directly to landlord or returned to Housing Benefit.

How do I open a savings plus account?
You can open a savings plus account, when applying for membership. However if you are already a member and would like to open another account then all you need to do is contact us via email with your personal details and we can set this up for you.
I do not have any photo id can i still applu for membership?
If you do not have photo ID, then yes you can still join as a member however we will still need proof of your current address and an Identity document, you will also be required to have your photograph taken in one of our branches. Please click here to see our eligible documents list or to register for membership please click here.
How do i apply for membership?
To apply for membership with 6Towns Credit Union you firstly need to meet our common bond requirements. Do you live or work in the Sandwell, Worcestershire or South Birmingham area? If you have answered YES to this question then you can join 6Towns Credit Union. When applying for membership you are also applying for a current account. All other accounts are optional. You will be requested to upload Photo ID and Proof of your current address. A minimum of £1.00 should be deposited into your account within 6 weeks of your account being opened. Please click here to see eligible documents list or to register for membership please click here.
How do i cancel my membership?
To cancel your membership, firstly you will need to ensure that there are no outstanding balances or pending transactions on any of your accounts. Once this has been confirmed, you will then need to stop any further payments into you 6Towns Account. You will then need to contact 6Towns to request a cancellation form. You can do this by emailing [email protected] Once the cancellation has been completed, a notification will be emailed notifying you that your membership has been cancelled. How do I cancel an account, such as savings plus etc..? To cancel an account with 6Towns, firstly you need to ensure there is no outstanding balance or pending transactions, once this has been confirmed you will then need to stop any further payments into this account. You will then need to request a cancelation of account form. You can do this by emailing [email protected] Once this notification has been received you will receive a cancelation of account from via email for you to sign.

Engage Card

Engage pre-paid card fees
If you have a Engage pre-paid card, 6Towns will make the charges below.

Engage Card on sign up – FREE

New card following expiry of old card – card has three year cycle – FREE

POS Transaction, including online purchase – FREE

Balance inquiry – ATM £0.10

PIN Management at ATM FREE

ATM Transaction in UK – (£250 daily limit) £0.75

Declined Transaction FREE

Weekly card charge to Member £0.89
Maintain their savings history.
Maintain their capacity to borrow.
Provide a better basis for dividend payments.
An alternative to share withdrawal may be for you to take a loan with repayments suited to your financial circumstances, subject to our Loans Policy.

If you are transferring funds to an external personal bank account, we will send the funds to the bank account you’ve previously registered with us. Bank transfers can take up-to 3 working days to get to you. The minimum you can transfer is £5.00.

You may make up to four free withdrawals using this facility in any twelve month period. If you go over this limit, we will make of charge of £1.50 every time we send a payment to your personal bank account on your behalf. This charge takes effect from 15th August 2016. We will deduct this charge from your account. Transfers between your 6Towns accounts are not affected.

Requests are processed during office hours, our office hours are:

Monday – Friday

10:00 – 16:00

Request your share withdrawal here

My Engage card has been stolen, what do i need to do?
Please contact this number immediately 0330 202 3642 to report your card as stolen.
I have lost my Engage card what should i do?
If you are sure your engage card is lost, call this number immediately 0330 202 3642 to report your engage card. You will then need to contact 6Towns Credit Union directly to order a replacement card.
Can I use my Engage card to shop online?
Yes, you can use your card online, as long as the online store accepts Mastercard.
Can I use my Engage card in any?
Yes, you can pay in shops, as long as the shop you are paying accepts Mastercard.
Can I pay my bills using my Engage card?
Yes, you can make card payments to pay a bill, as long as the company you are paying accepts Mastercard.
Why should I have the engage card?
The Engage Card allows you full access to you funds 24/7. Although there are some small fees involved, the Engage Card can be used at all stores and ATMs which accept Mastercard. There are few places they don’t accept Mastercard.
Am i charged for my engage card?
There is an initial cost for the Engage Card and a small monthly running cost along with some other small transactional fees. For a full list, see our terms and conditions below

Download Products Services and Internet usage – General terms and conditions

How do i get a engage card?
To apply for a debit card you will need to complete an application form. This application form will be sent via post. Please call or email us to request a Engage Card pack.

You will receive your card within 7 to 10 working days please ensure you follow the instructions on the letter when you receive your card to generate your PIN. You will also receive a separate letter or email with a sort code and account number, please ignore this letter as it is not relevant to your account at 6Towns.

Below is a sample of the letter or email you should ignore.

 

Download Engage classic welcome letter – Ignore this letter or email

General Questions

Engage pre-paid card fees
Engage Card on sign up – FREE

New card following expiry of old card – card has three year cycle – FREE

POS Transaction, including online purchase – FREE

Balance inquiry – ATM £0.10

PIN Management at ATM FREE

ATM Transaction in UK – (£250 daily limit) £0.75

Declined Transaction FREE

Weekly card charge to Member £0.89

Member feedback, tell what you think of us
If you have a suggestion or feedback for us, we’d love to hear it !

Follow the and tell us what you think.

https://form.jotformeu.com/82414104077348

gdpr - new privacy rules
The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives individual more control over how their personal data is used and makes it easier for them to check and update the information we, and other organisations hold.

Download GDPR – May 2018

What are your opening hours and do i need an appointment?
When visiting our branches you do not need an appointment, our branch opening hours:

6Towns Credit Union, 382 High Street, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 9LB

Monday – Friday 10:00am – 3:00pm

Is my money safe, who are you regulated by?
Savings are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Your eligible deposits with 6Towns Credit Union Ltd are protected up to a total of £75,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

For more information visit www.fscs.org.uk or view the online leaflet.

Give us a call on 0121 553 3110 if you would like any more information.

6Towns Credit Union is Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority

Our Firm Reference Number 419396

How do I apply for membership?
To apply for membership with 6Towns Credit Union you firstly need to meet our common bond requirements. Do you live or work in the Sandwell, Worcestershire or South Birmingham area? If you have answered YES to this question then you can join 6Towns Credit Union. When applying for membership you are also applying for a current account. All other accounts are optional. You will be requested to upload Photo ID and Proof of your current address. A minimum of £1.00 should be deposited into your account within 6 weeks of your account being opened. Please click here to see eligible documents list or to register for membership please click here.
What is a credit union?
Just like a bank, but better because our members come first. A Credit Union is when people come together to borrow, save and manage their money. A Credit Union gives the security and services of a bank, but because they are owned and run for their members.
How is a credit union different from a bank?
Credit unions provide many of the services that banks do and are regulated by the PRA, Prudential Regulation Authority and authorised by the FCA, Financial Conduct Authority and regulated to keep your money safe. But unlike banks, because they are owned by and run for their members, their members come first. At 6 Towns Credit Union, the people we answer to are the people who use us. That could be you. Save with us … Our Savings Plus account Our Savings Plus account gives you easy access to your money and a dividend. Last year we paid 1.09% we believe it’s the best value you can get on the high street. Your deposit can be from as little as you like, up to £15,000. Start saving today. Priority Acount If keeping track of your essential bills and staying on top of things is a problem, we can help. Our priority account is there for people on benefits like Housing Benefit who might need a little extra help making sure important things like rent get paid on time. You can have your Housing Benefit paid into your priority account and as long as sufficient funds are available, we’ll do the rest. Christmas Save with us for Christmas. You can put something away throughout the year so your money is there for those special things when you need it.
What does 6town credit union offer?
    • Easy and affordable access to loans and financial services for everyone.
    • A range of different accounts to suit your needs including a fully functioning current account.
    • Savings options including ISAs and our Savings Plus account giving some of the best returns on your money available.
    • Affordable loans from £50 upwards – including the UIK’s cheapest payday loans.
      The knowledge that we are there for you, helping make you make the right choices to keep your money on track. Your money and your financial interests are safe with us. We are authorised by the FCA, Financial Conduct Authority and regulated PRA, Prudential Regulation Authority and your deposits are protected by FSCS, Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
    • Our services are designed around what people like you need. Whatever your income, whether you are financially secure and looking for something extra or on a low income and can’t find the right help, you can talk to us.

Loans

I Still have an outstanding balance; can i apply for a top up loan?
As a member of 6Towns Credit Union regardless of an outstanding balance you can apply for a top-up loan at any time. If this loan is approved the balance will be added to your outstanding balance, so that only one outstanding balance remains. To apply for a top-up loan please click here.
what is the maximum loan amount i can apply for?
The amount, in which you can borrow, differs from member to member. Decisions are based on your personal circumstances; therefore you can apply for any amount which you feel necessary.
how do i apply for a dishwasher, playstation, tv etc?
6Towns Credit Union has an arrangement with Co Op Electrical. Therefore, If you see an item which you would like to purchase on the Co Op Electrical website, then you should make a note of the product name, code and amount. You should then click here to apply for a loan. If your loan for this product is approved, you will need to sign a loan agreement. Once this agreement has been signed 6Towns will disburse the loan funds into your current account, you will then need to order you item online using your debit card.
I only receive benefits; can i still apply for a loan?
Yes, if you are only in receipt of benefits you can apply for a loan as long as you are member of 6Towns Credit Union.
do i need a engage card if my loan is approved?
Loans are dispersed into your 6Towns Engage Card account. Your current account can be accessed using your Engage Card. Therefore a Engage Card is required upon approval of your 6Towns Loan.
what happens if my loan is approved?
If your loan is approved, a loan agreement will be emailed to your registered email address, followed by a Text Message notification. You will need to read the agreement, check the information is correct and then sign. Once the agreement has been signed your funds will be dispersed into you 6Towns Current Account within 24 working hours. These funds can then be accessed using your 6Towns Debit card.
how long does it take for a loan decision?
Loan decisions are made by our Credit Committee. The Credit Committee endeavour to make decision’s as quickly as possible, to prevent any delays please ensure all you contact information is up to date as you may be asked for additional information.

Once we have all the information we require we aim to give you a decision in about 14 working days

how do i apply for a loan?
To apply for a loan, you will need to become a member of 6Towns. If you are not a member then you can apply for membership online on our homepage. If you are a member then you can apply for a loan by clicking here and completing the online instructions.
Help when it's needed the most.
At 6Towns Credit Union we understand you become trapped in cycles of over indebtedness to high-cost credit providers for a range of reasons, many of which relate to an individual’s personal or family circumstances and background. Research has shown that you use high-cost credit because it is accessible, convenient and easy to understand, and importantly because it is available when other sources of more affordable credit are less easily accessible.

When needs must, you might borrow from whichever provider will grant you a loan, irrespective of the costs involved. Excluded from other credit options, you often retain a strong attachment to high-cost providers and are reluctant to lose your services. It is a situation that is open to manipulation and to the excessive imposition of loan interest and other charges.

6Towns is committed to serve you, our account holders with affordable financial services, including the provision of credit, appropriate to your needs.

Apply for your loan here

Internet banking

when will internet banking become available from 6towns?
We’re working hard to bring you this service as soon as possible. We expect this to be available very soon.

Forms and downloads

you can download our forms and documentation here
Please select from the list below.
Downloads

membership_application_form.pdf
corporate_account_application_.pdf
sample_member_signature.pdf
payroll_deduction_mandate.pdf
letter_of_consent_permitting_deductions_of_rent_payments.pdf
new_standing_order_instruction.pdf
identification_and_address_verification.pdf
private_landlord_registration_form.pdf
products_services_and_internet_usage_-_general_terms_and_conditions_v13.pdf
engage_classic_terms_-_june_2015.pdf
Paper Loan Application