Here at Hoot our priority is to keep our members and our staff safe and well, whilst retaining access to services.
As a community member-owned business we exist only to serve our member owners. Our members have been very supportive during this difficult time and we appreciate your support in balancing the safety of staff, service to members and ensuring that we continue to build an essential, ethical financial service for our community.
Our branch is open Monday to Friday 10 am to 1 pm
Please do not come into branch unless it is absolutely necessary. Entry to the branch is limited to one person at a time.
We have some of our employees working from home and if we have to send more home for their protection we may have to close the branch to cash services. If that should happen we want to make sure you have an alternative way of accessing your money.
If you are relaying on the credit union for payment of wages or benefit in cash then you should take URGENT ACTION to secure an alternative way of accessing your funds. This could include providing details of an alternative account in your name, or in the name of a relative or friend; or by applying for an Engage prepaid card.
Please be reassured that even if we shut our branch and stop cash services temporarily, your money is safe and protected; and we will work with you to get your money to you by electronic means.
We regret we are now unable to take loan and member applications in branch. We continue to accept online application. We are also not able to tell you the progress of your loan application in branch.
Phone lines are open 9.30am to 4pm. Our lines are especially busy right now so it may take some time to get back to you. Leave a message (We can’t call you back if you don’t leave a message) and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Better still, please register online or on the App to send messages so that our ‘homeworker owls’ can respond more quickly.
Do not call us if you simply want information on the progress of your loan application. We will not call you back until a decision is made.
As more people are working from home email enquiries may take up to 48 hours to respond. Please register into the member area or the app and send us messages from there to get a quicker response.
We can only accept loan applications online during this time. Please be patient and an owl will contact you when a decision on the loan application is made. Do not call us if you simply want information on the progress of your loan application. We will not call you back until a decision is made.
Our message to you is that your money is safe, and although we may have to close or reduce opening hours of our Town Centre branch in the coming weeks, we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure it doesn’t impact on the services we provide.
Thank you for your support and understanding, and keep safe.
You can also download our App. Look for Incuto in the Apple Store or Google Play
You can also use the member area to send messages and make enquiries.
Usually take your money in cash at the branch?
Should we have to suspend cash withdrawals in branch you will need an alternative way of accessing your money.
Register alternative bank details
Request a BACS Authorisation Form from enquiries@wisewithmoney.org.uk or by message in the member area and register your bank details. You can then go online, onto the App or call us to transfer funds.
When you have received and registered your card we can automatically transfer your funds. You can then use instore, online or withdraw from an ATM (charges apply)
Already have a Prepaid Card?
Your card has a unique sort code and account number. You can use that to have your benefit or wages paid directly onto your card. Log into the Engage App or the Engage website to see the details.
You can request the details by message in the member area or by email.
Please note payments made by bank transfer will take one working day to reach your Hoot account.
The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) recognise that this period may be one of increased financial pressure for some people. The Team is fully committed to ensuring that illegal money lenders (loan sharks) do not take advantage and profit from other people’s hardship.
The Stop Loan Sharks helpline service (0300 555 2222) remains open and fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage not only victims but friends, family members and the wider community to come forward if they suspect someone is suffering at the hands of loan sharks.
“Try this perspective shift. Instead of seeing ‘social distancing’ and travel bans as panic, try seeing them as acts of mass co-operation intended to protect the collective whole. The plan is not about individuals going into hiding. It’s a global deep breath…an agreement between humans around the planet to be still. Be still in the hope that the biggest wave can pass without engulfing the most vulnerable amongst us”
Dr Lindsay Jernigan
