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About CUDA

Ireland’s Leading Credit Union Development Association

Improving the financial, social and environmental wellbeing of their members and communities

About CUDA

CUDA is proud to serve 50 of Ireland’s most progressive credit unions with a strong voice, leadership and value-creating solutions which enhance strategic and operational capabilities.

Our solutions are modular, providing credit unions with the flexibility to utilise only what is relevant, and designed with members to ensure business fit and compliance.

CUDA delivers using collaborative, not-for-profit shared services which create economies of scope, scale and replicate best practise. Being member owned, benefits flow directly to credit unions and their members, not to commercial interests or shareholders.

CUDA’s experienced team operates with a sense of purpose and a clear vision about supporting member credit unions in ‘Improving the financial, social and environmental well-being of credit union members and their communities’

Incorporated in 2003, CUDA has a 21 year track record of success in representation, training, digital and lending solutions. Year-on-year our member credit unions receive more business support for a lower contribution.

Whether your credit union is large or small, community or industrial, CUDA has the solutions, vision and commitment to improve your capabilities and competitiveness, today and for future generations.

See Our Solutions

Integrated Solutions to Improve Credit Union Capability

Representation

Ensuring fair and proportionate legislative and regulatory treatment, new business opportunities and fair deals from suppliers through active, professional engagement.

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Digital & Lending Solutions

Originate members and loans, improve member engagement and create workflow efficiencies using digital marketing, fintech enablers and CRM. 

Issue more business, mortgage and energy-saving home improvement loans with one-stop lending frameworks.

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Training & Development

Improving staff, management and board capabilities, effectiveness and CPD with a range of role and function-based courses. Full online delivery and toolkits.

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Strategy

Enhancing credit union strategic planning and business model transformation with impartial advice, analysis and workshops.

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Legal & Compliance

Helping credit unions deliver on their legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations with on-demand expertise, IT solutions and documentation. Fully compliant and confidential service.

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Strategic Priorities

Our 2020-2022 Priorities Are Defined by Members

#1 Grow Lending

Improving credit union profitability by growing loan issuance, improving loan life-cycle management and delivering new segmental and product opportunities in personal, housing and business lending.

#2 Improve Competitiveness

Enhancing value propositions by utilising data to understand member needs and meet these effectively in all delivery channels. CUDA lobbies for B. Sheet evolution and leverages credit union-owned shared services for scope and cost economies.

#3 Enhance Capabilities

Growing and diversifying credit union income while improving member engagement and experience via training, digital solutions, product innovation and partnerships.

#4 Provide Leadership

CUDA’s represents its members with legislators and regulators to ensure fair treatment and enable new business opportunities. We secure competitive deals from suppliers and create a framework for collaboration and replication of best practice.

Owner Member credit unions can request a copy of CUDAs 2020-2022 strategy.

Why CUDA?

Member Led Approach, Value-Creating Solutions

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Member Owned & Led

CUDA is owned by its members, who play an active role in setting strategic priorities and running CUDA. Benefits flow directly to the credit unions and their members, not to commercial interests or shareholders.

Transparent Approach

CUDA operates with a clear vision for credit unions and a sense of purpose for its members. Our 3year strategy is supported by action plans and delivered by an experienced, committed team with a proactive approach.

Collaborative Solutions

CUDA solutions are designed with members to ensure business fit and compliance. We deliver using not-for-profit shared services, creating economies of scope, scale and replication not possible on a standalone basis.

Track Record

CUDA has an extensive track record of success delivering solutions and projects which create tangible benefits for our members. Year-on-year our member credit unions receive more business support for a lower contribution.

Governance

CUDA operates a structured and transparent governance structure with active participation by Owner member credit unions.

Our Shared Vision for the sector envisages an expanded role for credit unions in “Improving the financial, social and environmental well-being of credit union members and their communities.” Read more about it here.

Purpose represents our commitment “To be a forward-looking development association representing and serving progressive Owner Member credit unions with a strong voice, leadership and value-creating solutions which enhance strategic and operational capabilities.”

CUDA’s 3year Strategy

CUDA’s 3 year Strategy is developed with Owner members to ensure alignment of

priorities and business fit of solutions. We deliver using credit union-owned shared services to create economies of scope and scale. Read more about our strategy here.

Annual Action Plan

CUDA operates using an Annual Action Plan. Our actions, goals and budgets are approved by Owners in advance.

Performance is overseen with Monthly Governance from Owner member credit unions. The CUDA Management Committee is comprised of credit union CEO’s and the National Council directors from each Owner member. Solutions such as HIVE also operate with quarterly user groups.

Partners

Microsoft

HIVE CRM

Since 2018, CUDA has partnered with Microsoft on CRM systems to help credit unions improve member engagement, workflow efficiency and business intelligence.

Microsoft is a world-leading provider of enterprise software, enabling digital transformation through cloud-based solutions which support real-time APIs.

Microsoft employs over 150,000 people and had net income of USD 44bn in 2020.

ID Pal

ID verification for AML

Since 2019, CUDA has partnered with ID Pal on identity verification, helping credit unions originate members and loans online.

ID Pal enables secure verification of identity using advanced mobile technologies. Costs and risks associated with onboarding are reduced, whilst great user experience ensures high conversions.

Incorporated in Dublin in 2016, ID Pal is ISO accredited and has won numerous global RegTech awards.

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

ProEnergy Homes

Since 2019, CUDA has partnered with SEAI to support energy-saving home improvements.

SEAI is Ireland's national sustainable energy authority, helping householders, businesses, communities and government to create a clean energy future.

Initiative Ireland

Social and Affordable Housing

Since 2020, CUDA has partnered with Initiative Ireland to support social and affordable housing.

Initiative Ireland delivers competitive financial returns to investors while also delivering clear and measurable environmental and societal benefit.

Formed in 2015, Initiative Ireland is a private company supported by Enterprise Ireland.

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Business Lending

Since 2021, CUDA has partnered with SBCI to support business lending.

The SBCI helps SMEs grow, innovate and prosper by facilitating access to affordable finance, boosting the economy for all.

Formed in 2014 under the auspices of the dept, SBCI supported EUR 1.4bn of lending to 30,000 SMEs in 2019.

CUNA Mutual

Insurance

Since 2019, CUDA has partnered with CUNA Mutual to deliver new and affordable insurance offerings.

CUNA Mutual is the pre-eminent insurance specialist for Credit Unions, providing expertise and tailored protection solutions since 1963.