Westcountry Savings & Loans celebrates 4,000-member milestone

31/07/2026

Westcountry Savings & Loans has reached a significant milestone by welcoming its 4,000th member. The milestone marks more than two decades of offering ethical financial services across an expanding common bond.

Founded in Weston-super-Mare in 2004, WSL has grown to become the South West’s largest credit union, providing ethical savings accounts, affordable loans and financial wellbeing guidance to communities across Somerset, Bristol, Devon and Cornwall.

The organisation’s expansion has included extending the geographical area it serves, relocating to its headquarters in Portishead, introducing online services and building partnerships with housing providers and employers. Most recently, Westcountry Savings & Loans launched a new mobile app to make accessing its services simpler and more convenient, with further digital improvements planned over the coming months.

Steve Thorrington, Chief Executive Officer of Westcountry Savings and Loans, said: “Reaching 4,000 members is a fantastic achievement and one that belongs to everyone who has been part of our journey over the past two decades. I’d like to thank our members, volunteers, staff, directors and partners for the trust and support they’ve shown us. As we invest in new services and improve how members access them, we’re excited to continue welcoming people into the credit union and helping more households across the South West benefit from ethical financial services.”

Rising membership numbers reflect growing demand for financial services that offer an alternative to high-cost credit while encouraging saving and financial resilience. Westcountry Savings & Loans is committed to expanding access to ethical financial products and supporting more households across the region in the years ahead.