[wagstaffe]

Setting up a Credit Union is indeed an arduous task, I read it can take 3-5yrs to set up from scratch. The demand for banking type services is already there, most people use accounts for saving, borrowing and paying bills. What I meant by scope is for them to compete with banks for businness which would involve employing professionals but keeping things in a local context and providing help and good service.
Rishton is a good example of a bank closing to meet a target not because it was losing money. What kind of service is that when there are no banks left in the Town.
Banks have become a service to themselves, I think that we could expand the scope of credit unions and keep the ethos of good local services, something the main banks have no interest in.
It wouldn't solve everything but it would be a step in the right direction.