In response to the article (Failing to protect people from loan sharks July 11th ) regarding Croydon, Merton &Sutton Credit Union.

In 2008 Sutton Federation for Tenants and Residents Association (SFTRA) attended a conference, at that conference a speaker gave a presentation on the Credit Union.
I was chair of SFTRA at that time. We held several meetings informing residents about the benefits of a Credit Union.

It wasn't an easy process to join Croydon Credit Union we had lots of hoops and barriers to overcome financially and proving residents interest.

I would like to thank Sutton Council for their support financially and all the local councillors and our two MP who stood with us in Sutton High St signing up members without that there would not have been a Credit Union in Sutton.

I retired from SFTRA in 2010 but my proudest moment was just before my retirement we had the Credit Union in Sutton.

It did take two years but Sutton residents can be sure Sutton Council do not just talk about fighting lone sharks but made it possible for us to avoid them.

Jean Crossby, via email