Not-for-profit credit union shortlisted for two national awards

Caerphilly-based credit union Smart Money Cymru has been shortlisted for two national awards.

Smart Money Cymru, which has offices on Cardiff Road in Caerphilly and on Wesley Road in Blackwood, as well as an office in Tredegar, is one of 21 finalists in the 2022 Social Business Wales Awards.

The awards celebrate the contribution social enterprises and social entrepreneurs from across Wales make to their communities.

Smart Money Cymru, which is a not-for-profit organisation, is up for the Social Enterprise Team of the Year award, as well as the Tech for Good category.

The nominations come after the credit union expanded its digital offering to make it easier for people to access finance during the cost of living crisis.

The awards will be given out at a ceremony, which will be held at the new Swansea Arena on October 10.

Cwmpas, which is a development agency for economic and social change, and funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, is behind the awards.

All winners will go on to represent Wales at the Social Enterprise UK Awards, which are being held in London in December.

Glenn Bowen, Director of Enterprise at Cwmpas, praised the standard of this year’s entries and said: “Social enterprises embedded within their communities provide much needed support, services and jobs.

“We have brilliant examples of businesses doing their bit to reduce the impact of climate change and reaching out to new members of the community through their equity, diversity and inclusion work.”