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
Online articles
The library provides full access to articles from leading business, finance and management journals.
Access to articles is provided subject to suppliers’ terms of use.
eBooks
The Library provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers.
The FINTECH Book : The Financial Technology Handbook for Investors, Entrepreneurs and Visionaries
Susanne Chishti and Janos Barberis (John Wiley & Sons, 2016)
A guide to the financial technology revolution and the opportunities it provides for entrepreneurs, bankers and investors. Discusses current trends, latest industry developments and the future of FinTech.
You are permitted to use this eBook subject to individual supplier terms of use.
Useful links
Gaining interest: a new deal for sustained credit union expansion in the UK
Report on UK credit unions published in June 2015 by the Political Economy Research Centre at Goldsmiths, University of London. Discusses recent development and the future of the sector, providing recommendations as to how credit unions can increase their future viability.
Current Trends in the Credit Union Sector
Article by Tom Peters, Craig Bellefontaine and Koker Christensen on key trends influencing the Canadian credit union sector. Published by legal firm Fasken on 28 August 2017.
Mutuals Industry Review 2017
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
Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL)
ABCUL provides facts and statistics on the scale and growth of the British credit union sector.
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: 2011-2016 in February 2017. 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.
National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions
The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions publishes an annual report on credit unions in the US which provides financial data and also discusses the latest issues and trends impacting the sector. Reports from previous years are also available.
CUNA Mutual Group
Steven Rick from CUNA Mutual Group 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.
Credit unions (HoC Library)
Briefing paper from the House of Commons Library on the history and regulatory status of credit unions in the UK. Published in January 2015.
Accounting
Please see our pages on Credit unions under new UK GAAP and 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)
- National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) (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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