Looking Local to give viewers access to credit union services.

Work is beginning to integrate with the leading credit union software supplier Progress Systems to give Looking Local viewers access to credit union services via interactive TV, mobile phones and games consoles such as the Nintendo Wii. As part of a pilot funded by the Digital Inclusion Unit, the pilot seeks to explore how this service could help to tackle financial exclusion, improve access to financial services and improve financial literacy.

Credit unions are financial co-operatives owned and controlled by their members which offer savings and loans they benefit from being local, ethical and know what their members want. Credit Union services across the UK have experienced increased demand over the past year due to the economic climate and by giving people 24/7 electronic access for free on the TV, the pilot aims to help those people in most need to manage their financial situation.

Credit Union information and services are already delivered on a number of Looking Local partners sites, but integrating with a leading credit union software supplier tackles the issue from another angle. Progress Systems is one of the leading providers of credit union software in the UK - supporting around 50 credit unions in England of which circa 30 are in Local Authority areas served by Looking Local.

The idea initially surfaced in 2008 at an innovation workshop for 'Just Coping Families', it identified that electronic access to financial services and advice was a potential way to address financial inclusion, particularly for those who do not have access to a computer, but have access to Sky, mobile phones or internet connected TVs/ games consoles.

The pilot will run for the next six months and report its findings in December 2010. Assuming that the project demonstrates tangible benefits for users it could immediately be rolled out to around 80,000 people across the UK who are members of credit unions that use the Progress system.