Use our industry guide to find key background information, market research, import and export guidelines, statistics, legislation, trade bodies and trade publications.
Trends and forecasts
Credit unions
Research briefing from the House of Commons Library providing information and statistics on credit unions in the UK. Explores the challenges and opportunities they face and plans for further legislative changes. Published July 2025.
Challenges and Opportunities for Credit Unions
Report from Future Finance, a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project, on the specific challenges and opportunities credit unions face. Highlights key technological advancements such as open banking, AI and blockchain which can support credit unions in driving growth and enhancing service offerings. Published in November 2024.
Mutuals Industry Review 2024
Annual report from KPMG looking at the performance of Australia's mutual banks, building societies and credit unions. Highlights current and emerging themes within the sector. Reports from previous years are also available to download.
Industry news
Need to find the latest news on this industry sector? We can carry out industry news searches using a range of trade titles and general business sources through our databases. To discuss your requirements, please contact the enquiry team on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or at library@icaew.com.
Statistics on the UK
Bank of England
The Bank of England publishes quarterly and annual statistics for credit unions. Aggregated from the returns submitted by authorised credit unions in the UK, they include a breakdown of the balance sheet, income statement, membership and loans. Figures are available for the UK as a whole as well as England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Statistics on Europe
European Network of Credit Unions
The European Network of Credit Unions provides statistics in relation to its members and also the operations of credit unions in a number of other European countries.
Central Bank of Ireland
The Central Bank of Ireland published the report Financial Conditions of Credit Unions 2023 in April 2024. It outlines financial trends within the Republic of Ireland's credit union sector and includes data on return on assets, investments, loans, arrears and capital.
Statistics on North America
Canadian Credit Union Association
The Canadian Credit Union Association publishes a number of statistics which can be accessed via the facts and figures section of its site. This includes financial data and quarterly and annual growth comparisons for Canada's credit unions and caisses populaires (outside of Quebec). A report listing the largest 100 credit unions is also produced semi-annually.
Credit Union National Association
The Credit Union National Association provides data and statistics on credit unions in the US. Data available to non-members includes monthly estimates of credit union operating and financial results and quarterly trends.
America's Credit Unions
America's Credit Unions publishes Data & statistics including financial reports on credit unions in the US.
CUNA Mutual Group
Steven Rick from TruStage publishes and distributes a monthly report on Credit Union Trends. It provides data on US credit unions including loans, assets, savings, number of credit unions and membership.
Experian
Experian produces a State of Credit Unions report which provides statistics on US credit union members and how credit unions compare to the competition on different loan products.
Global
World Council for Credit Unions
The World Council for Credit Unions publishes an annual statistical report which provides financial statistics for credit unions and financial cooperatives around the world.
Legislation and regulation
United Kingdom
Credit unions (PRA)
Rules and legislation, forms and specialist sourcebooks for credit unions from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
Credit unions (FCA)
Information from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on how to register, become authorised, reporting rules and yearly fees.
Mutuals public register
Search for information on credit unions including registered office and contact information. Public documents such as annual returns and accounts, registration documents and society rules can be obtained for a fee. The register is provided by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Credit Unions and Societies
Web portal for credit unions and societies in Northern Ireland from the Department for the Economy. Includes links to guidance, forms and an online search facility for credit unions and industrial and provident societies in Northern Ireland.
Consultations (HM Treasury)
Consultation papers published by HM Treasury concerning credit unions.
Business guides
Fair4All Finance has produced a number of practical guides and toolkits for credit unions in the UK including:
- Credit union media, PR and social media toolkit (July 2023)
- Building strategic sustainability within the credit union sector (February 2024)
- Merger guide for credit unions (December 2024)
Accounting
Please see our page on Accounting for friendly, mutual and co-operative societies for books, articles and online resources.
Trade bodies
The websites of trade bodies in this sector are a useful source of industry overviews, contacts and statistics.
UK
Europe
The European Network of Credit Unions provides a list of member organisations.
North America
- Canada Credit Union Association (CCUA)
- America's Credit Unions (US)
- Credit Union National Association (CUNA) (US)
Global
The World Council of Credit Unions provides a list of member organisations by region.
Trade journals and publications
Trade journals, B2B magazines and specialist consumer magazines are another useful source of news and statistics.
Further reading
Articles and books in the Library collection
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to book loans.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports by post or email through our document supply service.
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