In 1997, the Head of Strategy at The Co-operative Group, approached the Manchester Headquarters Staff Council with a proposal that it act as a steering group to oversee the creation of a credit union for employees of the various members of "the co-operative family" in Greater Manchester [REF].
The Co-operative Group provided premises at the Old Bank Building (the former office of the bank's chief executive) in Hanover Street, Manchester, and, by 2004, the credit union had lent over £3,500,000 with almost 2,000 members, making it one of the fastest growing credit unions in the UK [REF].