To celebrate its 20th anniversary Castle & Crystal Credit Union is gearing up to open a new service in Stourbridge.

Castle & Crystal will be offering a £10 High Street voucher to the first twenty people to sign up as members at the new service desk.

The council-backed credit union is creating the contact point in Stourbridge Library, in the Crown Centre, to get straight into the heart of the community of Stourbridge.

The service desk opens on Tuesday September 17 and will be open from 10.30am to 2.30pm each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Residents in the Stourbridge area will be able to take advantage of the service desk by signing up for on-the-spot membership, opening savings accounts and finding out about loan options.

Councillor Pete Lowe, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for finance, said:

“Credit unions are fast becoming a real alternative to banks and other financial institutions providing secure savings and affordable loans.

“People are starting to realise that payday lenders and loan sharks are just preying on vulnerable people with their immoral terms and conditions.”

“Castle & Crystal has been open for 20 years in September and is a trusted name with borough residents with a reputation for a fair and friendly service.

“The new facility at Stourbridge will provide local people with all of the benefits of a not-for-profit community bank right on the doorstep.”

Any borough residents, businesses, charities, and voluntary groups can become corporate members and invest with Castle & Crystal.

For more information call 01384 815771, visit the branch at 25 New Street, Dudley or visit www.castleandcrystal.co.uk  Alternatively visit the facebook page CastleCrystalCreditUnion or contact them through twitter @Castle_Crystal.