Irish League of Credit Unions
Irish consumer sentiment improves, but public still ‘nervous’ about household finances
Middle East ceasefire and government energy support measures have helped confidence
Credit unions, IRFU and An Post named Ireland’s most reputable organisations
Reputations Agency’s annual ranking measures ‘emotional bond’ between public and organisations
Cars and home improvements drive personal lending to record €2.9bn
Consumers shrug off cost-of-living and trade concerns
Credit unions eye 10% mortgage market share as competition grows
Increase in credit union lending has occurred against backdrop of regulatory and legislative tweaks
Top tips to make your household finances go further amid soaring energy prices
Batch cooking with own-brand labels remains a good option when times are tight
Irish consumer confidence falls to lowest level since December 2022
All elements of sentiment focussed on household finances notably weak in April, while largest monthly decline was outlook for jobs
Credit unions take step towards combining treasury functions to aid lending
Lenders move forward to tap increasing flexibility granted by Central Bank ahead of introduction of new back office regime
Credit unions close in on €1bn of mortgage lending as restrictions are eased
Milestone would come six years after Central Bank lifted limits on long term lending
Irish consumer sentiment well down year-on-year as ‘nervousness’ pervades
Personal finances ‘remain under strain for many households’, Irish League of Credit Unions report says
Cost-of-living concerns ‘still weigh on consumers’, survey shows
Index tracking public sentiment about economy is markedly lower than year ago
Credit unions explore ‘central treasury function’ to unlock €9.9bn mortgage and SME lending
Move follows Central Bank’s decision to increase sector’s lending limits earlier this year
Getting into debt over a takeaway: The risks and benefits of buy-now, pay-later
Klarna, which went public last month, said about 13.6% of its revenue comes from late payment, or so-called ‘snooze fees’
Your local credit union needs you! How to become a volunteer
New Central Bank rules will see many credit union stalwarts forced to stand down next year, and volunteers will be needed to replace them
Credit union lending now at highest level since 2008
Milestone surpassed even as number of loans issued in the 12 months to June drops 4.7% compared with previous year
Parents not benefiting from free schoolbooks scheme as back-to-school costs soar
Money saved on books is being spent on electronic devices and ‘voluntary’ contributions, says SVP
Plans to convert Dublin 2 office block into emergency accommodation hub sparks opposition
Planning permission sought for 72-bed short-term emergency accommodation hub on Mount Street
Credit unions get green light to lend more money for home mortgages
Long-awaited reforms increase sector’s lending capacity by more than 340% to €9.9bn
Third of parents expected to go into debt to fund back-to-school costs
Irish League of Credit Unions survey finds 35% will deny their children a back-to-school item
Irish consumer confidence improves as public adapt to global instability
Latest Credit Union barometer sees first back-to-back improvement in nearly 12 months
Mortgage lending by credit unions up 34% on foot of homebuyers seeking alternatives to banks
Total credit union loan book now stands at €6.08 billion, which is its highest point since 2008
Ireland’s young adults on the future: ‘We are lost, forgotten about, no prospects’
From the housing crisis and precarious work to putting off big life decisions such as marriage and children, four people aged 19-37 are wary of what’s ahead
Around 15% of consumers unable to cope with €1,000 financial emergency, survey finds
Shopper confidence up after cooling-off period from tariffs, but overall confidence remains ‘gloomy’, credit union poll suggests
Credit union lending up 12%, buoyed by mortgages and easing restrictions
Personal loans continue to make up majority of lending
Credit union mortgages jump more than 40% by value as sector eyes new lending rules
Central Bank of Ireland has proposed lifting financial crisis-era limits on credit union lending to €8.6bn from current €2.9bn
Irish consumers nervous about Trump policy shift as sentiment remains subdued
Half of households fear negative impact of US policies on personal finances, according to credit union survey
Credit unions still have an arm tied behind their backs as regulator eases lending rules
Onerous liquidity and capital reserves rules remain in force and continue to handcuff the sector
Cost of living concerns ease as Irish consumers eye Trump presidency
Consumer confidence at joint highest level since early 2022 when sentiment began to tumble as Russia invaded Ukraine
‘Santa pause’ as consumer sentiment holds steady in December
Consumers now less fearful about the prospects for their own finances in the year ahead
Credit unions report 51% jump in mortgage lending in year to September
Community lenders hoping Central Bank will further ease mortgage lending rules in review due to conclude next month
Vetting to identify staff submitting ‘bogus’ claims against employers, inheritance tax, and tips on setting out your affairs for loved ones
The best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk
Credit union lending to farmers at record levels in the first half of year
Average loan application for January-June was just over €38,000 to a farmer over 6.2 years with almost €152,400 debt
Madness for Central Bank to allow credit unions increase their exposure to housing market
It is hard to see the Garda credit union evicting a member of the force and selling their home.
Credit unions want easier lending rules amid strong mortgage demand
Mortgage lending jumped 10% across the Irish League of Credit Unions’ membership base in the third quarter
Irish consumer sentiment lifts as inflation eases and economy grows
Latest Credit Union barometer points to an easing of strain on consumers
More than one in four parents in debt to cover back-to-school costs
Almost one-third of those in debt owe more than €500
Consumer mood brightens in June as household finances improve
Energy bills remain the most significant area of difficulty for households, according to credit union survey
Credit union regulators should allow ‘prudent’ lending increase - review
Report comes as credit unions look to increase lending to take on established banks
Can parents pay for a wedding, honeymoon without the happy couple facing a bill from Revenue?
The best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk
Credit unions grew mortgage lending by 71% in the year to end of March
Irish League of Credit Unions said there has been a ‘phenomenal increase’ in credit union mortgage lending in recent years
Consumer sentiment falls back but households feel past the worst, survey finds
Optimism diminished in February but sentiment was still the second most positive since Ukraine invasion
Mortgage lending by credit unions up 15% last quarter
Credit unions should be allowed to compete on a level playing field with traditional lenders for mortgages and business lending, ILCU says
Shannon Foynes and green hydrogen, ferrying more Spanish to Rosslare, and Canada’s TD Bank considers Irish licence
The best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk
Consumer mood brightens amid ‘tentative’ easing of costs pressures
Households remain anxious about 'macro' issues including unemployment, says Irish League of Credit Unions
‘Cautious’ Christmas planned amid concern over economic slowdown
Just over half of consumers expect to have less to spend than last year, report for Irish League of Credit Unions shows
Credit unions urged to step up lending by Central Bank governor
Gabriel Makhlouf says credit unions need to build scale to take advantage of opportunities in retail banking
Ireland’s credit unions are about to become an even greater financial force
On The Money: Much loved by consumers, new legislation allowing for greater co-operation within the sector passed key stage
Credit unions to take part in larger loan syndications under new plans
New law will also allow credit unions to refer customers on to another outlet for specific services
Back to school should not mean breaking the bank
On The Money: Parents can face huge financial pressure ahead of the new school term but there are ways to defray the cost
Banks need to pass on rate hikes to savers as well as borrowers
Opinion: While borrowers are dealing with interest rate increases, depositors have seen little benefit
Consumer sentiment brightens fractionally in July
Credit Union index points to ‘restrained rather than runaway spending’ in months ahead, as cautious mood lingers
Consumers more upbeat but concerns over cost of living linger
Credit union consumer sentiment points to optimistic consumers but long way off average over three decades
Credit unions can be key players in opening up financial competition and taking on the pillar banks
A smoother switching code, better consumer education and more even-handed regulation will promote a market that works for consumers
Over one in three consumers ‘struggling to cope’ with inflation
Most households are feeling the cost-of-living pinch, a credit union survey suggests
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