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Hollywood actor opens Edinburgh credit union

This news post is almost 6 years old
 

Affordable finance campaigner Michael Sheen has opened new premises for the Castle Community Bank

A Hollywood star was in Edinburgh to open the new branch of a credit union.

Michael Sheen launched the new premises of the Castle Community Bank in Great Junction Street on Tuesday, 15 May.

The Frost Nixon actor said earlier this year that he was stepping back from the movie business to devote more time to campaign for an end to high cost lending in Britain.

Gordon Buchanan, general manager of Castle Community Bank, said he hoped that the visit of the actor would help to promote the responsible loans that the credit union offers.

He said: "Every day we provide loans to ordinary people and families across Edinburgh and Lothians enabling them to do the things they want in life - create or improve their family homes, buy a car or to help prepare for and manage life events, like having a baby or planning their wedding.

"We are constantly working to raise our profile and get that message out to more and more people, who may otherwise find themselves falling into a cycle of problem debt by taking out hire purchase agreements or pay day loans at punitive rates of interest which they can't really afford.

"It's our very real hope that having Michael cutting the ribbon on our new branch will get our name in front of an awful lot more people who may be interested in finding out more about us and maybe using our services."

Damned United actor Sheen has visited Scotland regularly in recent months to visit those helping provide affordable financial services, and launched the End High Cost Credit Alliance in March to promote more affordable ways of lending money and to combat companies which have been accused of trading in misery.