A Wiltshire-based community bank which helps people on low incomes to save and borrow has been recognised as the best in the South — thanks to glowing feedback from its members.
Acorn Community Bank was voted Best Credit Union (South) in the 2025 Consumer Credit Awards, organised by financial services review site Smart Money People. The result was based entirely on customer testimonials, with Acorn scoring an impressive 4.94 out of 5 stars from more than 880 reviews.
The organisation, which has offices in Swindon, Salisbury and Milton Keynes, has over 10,000 members across Wiltshire, Swindon, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It previously won the same award in 2022 when it was known as Wiltshire and Swindon Credit Union, before merging with other credit unions to form Acorn.
Smart Money People CEO Jacqueline Dewey praised Acorn’s “ethical and inclusive” approach, adding: “Our reviews show that members praise the bank’s clear and straightforward communication, ease of use, and prompt service. As a cooperative owned and run by its members, Acorn is committed to putting people first and supporting local growth through ethical banking.”
Members also left moving tributes to the support they had received. One, Natalie Miller, said: “They really helped me out in a time of need… struggling to make ends meet on top of being able to spoil my kids at Christmas, Acorn helped me do just that. Stress and worry free, fabulous service.”
Another member, Millie, wrote: “I struggled when leaving an abusive relationship and needed financial help and support. Without their help I don’t know how I would have managed.”
Acorn’s Chief Executive, Clive Henly, said the award was recognition of the team’s hard work: “After we won in 2022 we said we couldn’t allow ourselves to become complacent, so we redoubled our efforts. Our sternest critics are our members and it is gratifying that they recognise how hard we work on their behalf. I’d like to pay tribute to all of the staff for their commitment and dedication.”
Over the past 12 months, Acorn has granted more than 4,600 loans worth around £2.5 million. It has also relaunched its Junior Savers product to help families put money aside for their children’s future, while hundreds of members continue to use its savings schemes to plan for birthdays, Christmas and other important events.
Community banks, or credit unions, are cooperatives owned by their members. They provide affordable loans for people who may struggle to get credit elsewhere, helping prevent them from turning to payday lenders or loan sharks.
For more information about Acorn’s services, visit acorncommunitybank.co.uk.
Photo: Acorn staff celebrating their award — from left, Business Admin Apprentice George Woollands, Loans Officer Kayt Stubberfield, Marketing Manager Phoebe Fernandes, Chief Operating Manager Bridget Shone, Member Services Manager Gemma Sadler, Chief Executive Clive Henly and Loans Officer Marion Turner.
