Many thanks to all who joined the conference call this afternoon where Peter Mitchell, Business Talk, provided us with helpful advice, best practices and tips. Peter spoke of having key messages, express understanding, important factors around crisis communications, what to do next, how to deal with worries and threats, and finally how to perform in a local Radio Interview. The following is a summary of the points covered by Peter:
Following the Taoiseach’s announcement this afternoon, please click here to see the list of essential retail outlets.
As you are aware there has been considerable discussion on the status of Credit unions, we can now confirm we are considered an essential retail outlets, which must implement social distancing measures.
We will update you when further information is available as to how this gets implemented.
Regards for now, Kevin
RE: Conference call with Minister Donohoe, Dept of Finance, CUDA, CUMA, ILCU, NSF
The Minister opened by updating stakeholders on how the evolving situation will impact people from both a public health standpoint and also economically;
Hello all,
Your credit union is a vital and essential service in your respective communities. For many members you are their only source of key services, such as access to credit, their income, their savings and payment services. Over the coming months you will continue to be a vital service in overcoming the impact of Covid-19 as members continue to need these key financial services.
Hello again,
Quick update on treatment of premises should a staff member display symptoms of Covid-19 virus and be obliged to self-isolate and/or be tested. We have spoken with HSE officials this am, who were extremely helpful and understanding, and they advise that the staff member effected is immediately sent home, or informed to stay at home, and follow the instructions for self-isolation or request a test as set out at www.hse.ie.
Hello all,
We have just become aware of one credit union, in the South West, where a staff member is obliged to be tested for Covid-19 and this could force temporary closure of that office, for deep cleaning and a replacement front line team. This credit union is fortunate to have a branch network, and therefore the continuation of key services to members is maintained.
Hello and good morning all,
Further to yesterday evening’s update the Central Bank have now published the following statement. Please share this with your colleagues who are handling queries from members.
Hello all,
We hope you are keeping well as you deal with this unprecedented challenge for everyone. We fully appreciate how difficult it is for you and your teams as you try to support concerned members. CUDA will continue to keep you updated and provide you with as much practical supports as we can. We have a good up-take with regard to the new web form and now have non owner member credit unions requesting access to it.
Credit unions are here to support the Irish people in these unprecedented times – that is the message from Ireland’s most trusted financial services brand. Ireland’s Credit Unions have in excess of 3 million members, and are the sole provider of credit for many of these members and account for approximately 34% of the consumer lending market.
Further to our email last Friday, the situation continues to develop rapidly and we are in unchartered territory. We do not know how long crisis measures will have to be in place and it is difficult to quantify the full financial impact these measures will have on credit union Members, the economy and indeed credit unions themselves. We are aware that you have received many calls from concerned members about their sudden loss of income and how they may be unable to meet some or all of their loan commitments.
