Commsave Credit Union welcomed more than 150 guests to a gala dinner this month – celebrating its 35th anniversary.

The event brought together staff, directors, partner organisations, members and Ambassadors for an evening reflecting on more than three decades of growth and community impact.

Held in Northampton, the birthday celebration marked a milestone moment in Commsave’s history – one that began in 1991 when the organisation was founded as Northamptonshire Postal Workers Credit Union.

What started as a credit union serving postal workers in one county has grown, decade by decade, into a nationwide organisation now supporting more than 43,000 members across the UK.

Matt Goulding, Chief Executive of Commsave Credit Union, said: “Reaching 35 years is a huge milestone for any organisation, but what makes it particularly special is how much has stayed the same alongside everything that has changed. We are still member-owned, still focused on people over profit, and still driven by that founding idea that everyone deserves access to fair, affordable finance.

“It was a real privilege to celebrate this milestone with so many of the people, past and present, who have helped make it possible, and I am excited about what the next chapter holds for Commsave and our members.”

Guests at the gala heard how Commsave’s story has mirrored the wider evolution of the credit union movement – one shaped by expansion, reinvention and a lasting commitment to member-focused finance. In 1996, Commsave expanded its reach across the East Midlands, becoming East Midlands Postal Workers Credit Union and by the following year membership had exceeded 1,000 for the first time – with total assets exceeding £1 million the following year.

In 2002, the organisation was renamed Commsave Credit Union, reflecting an organisation that was reaching far beyond postal workers alone. Two years later, it moved into new offices in Duncan Close, Northampton, before continuing to expand across the East of England and, from 2011, to the wider Royal Mail Group workforce in England, Scotland and Wales.

The following years brought further milestones. Membership surpassed 10,000 in 2013, alongside total assets topping £10 million, and Commsave went on to widen its Common Bond – the group of people eligible to join the credit union – to include communication and logistics companies across the UK. Payroll deduction services were extended to Department for Work and Pensions staff and civil servants in 2016, and by 2017 membership had doubled again to more than 20,000. In 2019, Commsave joined the PrizeSaver savings scheme and formed an international partnership with Members First Credit Union and Atlanta Postal Credit Union in Georgia, USA.

Growth accelerated further in the years that followed. A merger with Harvest Money Credit Union and expansion into Northamptonshire’s NN postcode area in 2020 paved the way for membership passing 30,000 and total assets exceeding £100 million in 2021. That same year, Commsave extended its support to the fishing community and launched Commsave Educates, its financial education app. The Community Fund followed in 2022, giving members the chance to nominate local causes for support, and in 2023 the credit union moved into its permanent home in Northampton’s Summerhouse Road, rebranded with a new logo and introduced Green Loans to help members finance more sustainable choices. Payroll deduction services were extended to Travis Perkins staff in 2024, and by 2026 membership had grown to more than 43,000.

Chief Executive Matt added: “While we’re proud of how far we’ve come over the past 35 years, we’re even more excited about what’s ahead. We know there are still many people who could benefit from fair, affordable financial services, and we’ll continue investing in products, partnerships and financial education that help our members build stronger financial futures.”

Commsave’s birthday gala event brought together representatives from Commsave partner organisations, long-standing members, current and former Commsave staff, Ambassadors and members of the Board, many of whom have played a part in shaping the credit union’s story over the past 35 years. Guests also took part in a raffle in support of Lend With Care, raising funds for the charity’s work helping small-scale entrepreneurs in developing countries access the finance they need to build their own businesses.

Commsave Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial co-operative providing safe savings, affordable credit and financial education to more than 43,000 members across the UK. Since 2022, the organisation has distributed more than £150,000 through its Community Fund, supporting charities, schools and community groups. As a member-owned organisation, Commsave exists to serve its members – not shareholders.

For more information, visit www.commsave.co.uk