« À la marge ou grand public : conséquences de la politique d'insertion financière sur le développement des coopératives d'épargne et de crédit »

This paper is based on empirical research focusing on the financial and operational performance of credit unions in Wales. The backdrop to the research includes Welsh Assembly and UK government financial support and the impact of the financial inclusion agenda on the social and economic space occuppied by credit unions. This paper draws on one specific aspect of the research—interviews with key stakeholders, policy-makers and politicians. The nascent credit union movement in Wales has developed under the auspices of a supportive devolved Assembly government. However, the researchers note that dealing with a financial inclusion agenda while struggling to become self-sustaining cooperative financial institutions puts strain not only on the financial and operational performance of credit unions, but also presents particular challenges in terms of strategic direction, management and governance for fledgling organizations. As such, the paper presents a significant piece of the jigsaw in the particular development of credit unions in Great Britain.