U N I T E D K I N G D O M

The web site of the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd, the main trade Association for credit unions in England, Scotland and Wales, provides a wealth of resources for those interested in the UK credit union movement:

http://www.abcul.org/

The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer established a Social Investment Task Force to make proposals for increasing private investment in deprived areas. The Task Force's report, which was published in October 2000, focused on ways the Government could encourage microfinance. It can be downloaded from the Task Force's web site:

http://www.enterprising-communities.org.uk/

Bank of Scotland's Easycash Account Offers a basic current account with lots of services without maintenance fees:

http://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/personal/easycash.html

In April 2000, the UK Government established a Small Business Service which operates across Government Departments. The Service helps small businesses by providing information, advice and guarantees for bank loans:

http://www.businessadviceonline.org