Who can join
Our common bond
Live or work locally
Live in the London Boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth, Westminster or Camden . Check which borough I live in
Be directly employed by an company or organisation whose registered office is one of these boroughs
Work for one of our partner employers
Be currently employed directly by one of employer partner organisations
Includes all direct employees of Transport for London and many NHS trusts and local authorities.
Includes staff who work from home or remotely
Serve in HM Forces
Be a serving member of the UK armed forces, including the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, based anywhere in the World
Part of the Royal Naval Reserve, Army Reserve, RAF Reserves or Special Forces Reserves.
Or be in receipt of an armed forces pension
Work in health or education occupation
Work in a health or education-related occupation anywhere within Greater London. See list of eligible occupations
Have a family connection
Immediate family living in the same household as someone who is already a member.
Don't meet the above criteria?
There are lots of other credit unions across the UK that you may be able to join. Find your credit union
Ready to become a member?
Good to know
What does 'common bond' mean?
Every credit union is built around a “common bond”—a shared link between its members. At London Mutual, our common bond is based on living or working in certain London boroughs, being employed by one of our partner organisations, or having a household or organisational connection. This ensures we remain rooted in our community and that members’ money goes back into supporting people they share something in common with.
Which boroughs do you cover?
You can join if you live or work in Southwark, Lambeth, Westminster, or Camden. These are the areas we were founded to serve, and where we still have the strongest community links. Even if you don’t currently live in one of these boroughs, you may still qualify through other criteria, such as your employer.
Can I join if I don't live in London?
Yes. If you work for the Armed Forces, or one of our other partner employers, you can join regardless of where you live. Some of our members are based outside our boroughs but qualify through their work.
Do I need to both live and work locally, or is one enough?
Just one is enough. For example, you might live in Lambeth but commute elsewhere, or live in Kent but work for an NHS Trust in London. As long as you meet at least one of the criteria, you can become a member.
Can my family join too?
Yes. If you are eligible to join, your immediate family living in the same household can also become members. This makes it easier for whole households to save and borrow with us and benefit from being part of the credit union.
What if I don’t meet any of the criteria?
If you don’t qualify under our common bond, unfortunately you won’t be able to join London Mutual. However, there may still be another credit union that’s right for you. The website findyourcreditunion.co.uk can help you quickly search for one based on your postcode, employer, or other connections.
How do I know for sure if I qualify?
The quickest way is simply to start our online application. The form will ask you a few questions about where you live and work, or who you work for, and will confirm whether you meet the criteria before you commit. If you’re unsure, you can also contact us and we’ll be happy to check.
What happens if I change jobs or move out of the area?
Once you’re a member, you’re always a member. That means you can keep your account and continue to use our services even if you no longer live in an eligible borough or leave your qualifying job. Your membership stays with you, wherever life takes you.