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Christmas Saver

Christmas savings to help make sure your holiday season is filled with joy, not money worries.

Spread the cost of Christmas

Prepare for the festive season with a simple, easy access savings account with your community credit union.

  • Start saving from as little as £1

  • Set a savings goal to keep you motivated

  • Withdraw your pot of money whenever you need

  • Peace of mind knowing your money stays protected (up to £120,000) under the FSCS

What's new this year

We’ve relaunched the Christmas Saver with some exciting updates to give you even more value:

 

Earn interest

Instead of a dividend, your Christmas Saver will now earn interest, helping your savings grow a little more throughout the year.

 

Chance to win a prize

Save £250 or more by the end of November, across at least six deposits, and you’ll be entered into our Christmas Saver Prize Draw. A simple way to build your festive fund and have the chance to win something extra.

Suitable for savers who:
  • want to grow their savings, even with small amounts

  • prefer easy access to their money

  • like the convenience of managing their account online

  • want to save with a values-driven financial organisation 
Not suitable for savers who:
  • are looking for a fixed interest rate
  • want to maximise returns on their savings
  • want to manage their finances day-to-day
  • are not UK residents

Key details

Interest rate

1.5% AER / 1.49% gross

Easy access

This account is here when you need it most. Withdrawals are allowed and should be done through Secure Message in the Member Portal.

Minimum savings

Save as little as £1.

Local credit union savings accounts

Saving for your future and making you better off

Opening a savings account with GWCU

Are you eligible?

To begin saving with GWCU, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be aged 18 or over

  • You must live or work in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset

There is one other eligibility criteria, but this is optional:

  • If you are a tenant of one of our partner housing associations

Ready to start saving with GWCU?

Applying is easy. Here is what you'll need.

Personal mobile phone number

We need this so we can contact you easily. It also helps you verify your account when you log into the member portal.

Personal email address

This is important so we can send your savings account documents to you.

Your national insurance number

This to prove your identity. 

How to find your national insurance number.

Not sure if you have this information? 

Helpful information

What is the Christmas Saver? 

The Christmas Saver is a dedicated savings account to help you plan for the festive season. Save through the year and enjoy Christmas time knowing you have a pot of money to help cover the costs.

Will I earn interest on my Christmas Saver?  

The Christmas Saver account earns a variable interest rate of 1.5% AER / 1.49% gross.

When can I withdraw from my Christmas Saver?

You can withdraw your funds from the Christmas Saver at any time of the year.

Whether you want to start Christmas shopping early, or cover an unexpected cost, your savings are here when you need them.

Can I open a Christmas Saver at any time? 

Yes – you can open a Christmas Saver any time of year.

The earlier you start saving, the more you’ll have when Christmas comes around.

Save with your local credit union

Working for our members

Our friendly Member Engagement Team live and work in our communities. They're specially trained and ready to help you.