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Birmingham families hit hard by the credit crunch will now be able to find out about low-cost, safe loans and saving plans simply by using their TV remote control.

Birmingham Credit Union is launching its Citysave scheme to all those who live and work in Birmingham and making it available on the city's interactive digital TV channel, which was developed by Digital Birmingham. Citysave has been running for 21 years for employees of Birmingham City Council, but the Union is now offering its services to all Birmingham residents and those who work within the city.

Being able to access the service through interactive TV means that people who don't have a PC at home will still be able to find out about Citysave and take advantage of the competitive savings and loans on offer in the same way as those with internet access.
The scheme requires members to save a minimum of £4 per week, which enables them to benefit from loans at very competitive rates when compared to high street banks and building societies.

A non-profit making organisation, Citysave has around 9000 members in Birmingham. The Union also offers holiday and Christmas saving plans, plans for junior savers and an optional monthly prize draw for just £1. "Credit Unions are a great triumph for local democracy, and by making Citysave available through our local channel, we're adding to the extensive range of council and public services that residents can already find through their TV," said Birmingham City Council deputy leader Paul Tilsley, who chairs the Digital Birmingham partnership. "Just as importantly, we're ensuring that people without a PC, or those who find it hard to get out and about like the elderly or those with disabilities, can still take advantage of the superb services of the credit union from the comfort of their own home.
"In the era of the credit crunch, this development couldn't be more timely or appropriate."

Angela Clements, chief executive officer of Credit Union Ltd said:
"Digital Birmingham has helped us make Citysave services more accessible to people through their preferred digital channel, whether that be their TV, mobile or computer. "As a result we now have a greater understanding about how technologies can make a difference to our business, and how they can used to promote our services so that more people across Birmingham can benefit."

Birmingham's Looking Local channel was launched in 2007 as part of a national programme, and was reported last year to have the highest usage of any local channel in the country, with more residents accessing local and public services via their TV than any other place in the UK.

Subscribers to Sky Digital, Virgin Media and Freeview broadband services in Birmingham can all receive the Birmingham channel through their TV menu by choosing 'Looking Local'. In addition it can be accessed on the internet athttp://www.digitv.gov.uk/digitv/cds/Birmingham/Netgem/home or through a
web-enabled mobile phone at: http://www.digitv.gov.uk/digitv/cds/Birmingham/mobile/home.

More information on how to access this service can be found on the Citysave website at http://www.citysave.org.uk/