Hundreds of Walsall residents are getting the opportunity to manage t heir money more effectively.
It follows a new initiative launched by Walsave Credit Union in partnership with the Black Country Knowledge Society.
Members of the Walsall and Bloxwich branches of the credit union are being invited to apply for a Smart Card that will enable them to pay into their bank accounts.
The aim is to make it far more accessible for local people to make savings transactions.
Smart Card holders can use an existing network of PayPoint terminals in newsagents, convenience s tores and forecourts around Walsall, where they can deposit money whenever they want.
"We simply wanted to make it even easier for local people to save - and this seemed an ideal way to do it," said Mike Pilbeam, the WCU general manager.
" Over the coming months, we will be encouraging more of our existing members to sign up for the new Smart Card and in the meantime, all new members are issued with them automatically."
The card also offers increased security.
Each carries the member's photograph and specially designed readers in Walsave branches enable staff to check confidential security details.
Mr Pilbeam said: "We live in a society where identity theft is becoming increasingly common. The Smart Card will virtually eliminate the possibility of t his sort of fraud at Walsave.
"The technology we've used to create these Smart Cards gives Walsave members added protection and it removes the need for them to carry paying in books, which could easily be stolen."
Stuart Hill, Smart Card manager at BCKS, said: "Our aim is to help people become more familiar with new technology without the introduction of any complicated systems to follow.
"We're particularly keen to reach out to anyone who might previously have felt excluded from traditional banking routes.
"We are confident the scheme will help break down some of the barriers currently associated with using plastic."
