A FINANCIAL institution which provides support to people across the district has won recognition.

Bradford District Credit Union has scooped a coveted Placement Provider Award.

And in the same awards programme, at Bradford University, student intern Amnah Zaib was honoured for her work with the credit union whilst on placement.

A presentation ceremony in the university's Great Hall celebrated the achievements of students and placement providers.

Bradford District Credit Union was praised for "providing opportunities to university students to develop new skills" and for "the positive contribution it has made to student learning in the region".

It has a long history of supporting apprentices and interns, with many going on to join the organisation.

Amnah received her award for "delivering an outstanding performance and demonstrating excellent initiative" during her time with the credit union. She spent more than 100 hours, across ten months, there and stayed on during summer holidays to train her replacement.

She spearheaded the launch of a revamped website and helped develop a marketing strategy, which led to the introduction of several new loan products aimed at assisting financially-vulnerable households in the district.

Katie Hurrell, chief executive officer of Bradford District Credit Union, says: "We're delighted to receive these awards and continue to enhance our reputation in the district's business and academic communities.

"We know first-hand the positive impact that placements can have on an organisation and we're always happy to give back to the communities in which we operate by offering students the opportunity to come and work with us while they continue their studies.

"When Amnah arrived for her first day she was enthusiastic, hard working and determined to get to know the ins and outs of the credit industry. Fast forward to the end of her placement and she'd become a confident and talented member of the team, making a positive impact on our business and helping improve the circumstances of countless financially-vulnerable individuals in the region by providing them with access to – and information about – our range of savings accounts and affordable loans."

Katie herself is also in the running for an award. She has been shortlisted in the public and third sector leader category of the Yorkshire Leadership Awards.

She has overseen the credit union achieve lending growth of 39 per cent and become a national model.

For more about the organisation, visit bdcu.co.uk, email ian.brewer@bdcu.co.uk or call 07533 547187.