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CUDA comments on the CBI Report on Financial Conditions of Credit Unions

By News

The Central Bank of Ireland have today (30th March 2023) published its ninth edition of the Financial Conditions of Credit Unions Report.

Commenting on the Central Bank’s report on the Financial Conditions of the Credit Union sector, ‘Kevin Johnson, CEO of the Credit Union Development Association, which works with over 50 credit unions, said

“Loan volumes are up, and the loan-to-asset ratio is definitely improving, but not by as much or as quickly as we would like. We believe that there’s an absolute need to resolve this by expanding the loan profile of credit unions and prudently growing loan books across the sector.  

Competition in the mortgage market has reduced following the departures of Ulster Bank and KBC, and with the non-banks struggling to offer competitively priced products, there’s a clear opening for credit unions to substantially expand their mortgage products. CUDA has been at the forefront of this, with its members initially entering the mortgage market in 2018 targeting specific lending needs, since 2021 we have worked with credit unions to expand their offerings and we are now working to expand this to more credit unions. 

New legislation that is progressing through the Oireachtas and scheduled for enactment this year will support this, as it will allow credit unions to refer lending business to each other which means that even those credit unions without mortgage lending underwriting skills will be able to facilitate their members. 

Each credit union is a separate legal entity with its own Board and management team, and they are not currently permitted to share business. These changes will help credit unions make a greater financial, social, and environmental contribution as their legislation framework is modernised.

Credit Unions have significantly modernised in the past decade – their structure, legal and regulatory status, product offerings, and service delivery methods have advanced considerably. In particular their digital capabilities were accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Members can still access the traditional set of personal loans and savings, and now they can also avail of current accounts, ‘one stop shop’ retrofit loans, mortgages, revolving credit, debit cards, community loans, agricultural loans, as well as loans for small businesses.  These are accessible face to face, over the phone or via online facilities.  Recent rises in interest rates will have a significantly positive impact on the ROA for all credit unions as this will result in them getting a better return on their investments.”

CUDA welcomes the New Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance

By News, Uncategorized

Credit unions have welcomed the appointment of Jennifer Carroll MacNeill as the new Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance.

Commenting on the appointment, Kevin Johnson, CEO of CUDA,

We welcome the appointment of Minister Carroll MacNeill at this key time for credit unions.  We look forward to working closely with the new Minister on the Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022 as it progresses though the stages to enactment.  For many years credit unions have operated within outdated legislation – legislation that is not fit for purpose in this modern era. It is so important now that we ensure the final drafting is appropriate to avail of this unique opportunity that will facilitate credit unions to offer and deliver more products and services to existing and future credit union members.  At a time when our society faces many challenges, this critical element of the Programme for Government will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening the standard of living for so many people, both at local and national level

Credit Union Development Association (CUDA) delighted to see publication of the Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022

By News

Over many years credit unions have operated within outdated legislation – legislation not fit for purpose in a modern era. For some time now, CUDA has called on the Government to introduce enhancements to the existing credit union legislation to ensure credit unions can reach their potential on behalf of their members.

Today, the Government has published a new Credit Union (Amendment) Bill. On behalf of its members and the credit union sector at large, CUDA welcomes this development. According to Kevin Johnson, CEO CUDA, “this unique opportunity will enable credit unions to offer and deliver more benefits through enhanced products and services to existing and future credit union members”.

Credit Union legislation was last overhauled 10 years ago by the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012.

The published amendments will allow greater collaboration and choice when developing credit products and offerings to consumers such as sharing large community project loans amongst a number of credit union participants (“loan sharing” or “loan participation”), and the ability to offer a full range of services to consumers, irrespective of the fact that a credit union may not have that product themselves e.g. mortgages, by introducing the member to a colleague credit union that does offer the product or service (“loan introduction”).  These are standard practices amongst credit unions in other jurisdictions such as Canada.

CUDA particularly welcomes the changes that recognise the great work of volunteer directors, who provide a professional service pro bono. The changes will allow them to focus more on the overarching governance and strategic direction and policy making of the credit union, while allowing a credit union assign new roles, focusing on implementation and operations, to its professional management team.

There is no doubting the trust members place in their credit union. The relationship is unique. CUDA is pleased that the legislative changes will allow credit unions continue their special relationship with members and the community through environmentally friendly methods – including the introduction of digital enhancements to their existing services and facilitating additional loans to the community. However, CUDA is quick to note that credit unions are very aware of the importance of face-to-face interactions with their members. Something that is greatly diminishing in other areas of the banking.

CUDA commends the great work achieved by all stakeholders, noting that the process started out with interested parties having differing views and priorities. The pandemic brought an additional layer of complications. CUDA says that the published Bill is an example of what can be achieved through meaningful cooperation.  CUDA would like to take the opportunity to express its appreciation for the productive contributions of Minister of State, Séan Fleming TD, Minister for Finance, Pascal Donohoe TD, the team at the Department of Finance led by Brian Corr, the Registrar of Credit Unions, Elaine Byrne, and her team at the Central Bank, and our colleagues in CUMA, ILCU and NSF.

CUDA looks forward to the speedy implementation of the legislation to ensure credit unions can continue to deliver their first-rate service – ensuring the best outcomes for credit union members, their communities and the wider Irish economy.

CUDA issues cautious welcome to the publication of the Retail Banking Review

By News

Speaking following the publication of the Report, Kevin Johnson, CEO of CUDA, stated that the Review has a welcomed focus on the interests of financial services customers and their communities, but we will need to see detail, such as the definition of terms like ‘reasonable access’, to determine how practical these proposals are.

It is good to see the recognition of credit unions as key players in providing real competition and value to retail consumers of financial services. However, a lot more detail and action is required to ensure the potential that credit unions have becomes a reality. The Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022, which is about to be published, needs to be enacted straightaway to facilitate credit union services to be delivered consistently across the country.

The Report sets out recommendations that will reduce the ability of providers of banking services to solely decide who should have services and who shouldn’t. We welcome this as current practice is not consistent with supporting the financial wellbeing of all in our society, and credit unions will continue to lead the way in ensuring that the interest of their consumers is the priority and hopefully others will follow that example.

It is also disturbing that a recommendation is needed requiring providers of retail banking products and services to set out and publish customer charters.

In a sector wide submission to the Credit Union Policy Review February 2021, we recognised the need for a long-term vision that is reflective of the unique role of credit unions and how they will improve the financial, social and environmental well-being of credit union members and their communities. It is encouraging that the Review Team state in this report their understanding that the Department of Finance and the Central Bank will engage constructively, developing new legislation, if required. Hopefully this will also extend to enhancements to credit union regulations.

CUDA looks forward to continuing to constructively work with all the members of the Credit Union Stakeholder Group to continue to improve the customer experience and value proposition that people can get from their credit union.

CUDA Congratulates New Registrar of Credit Unions on her Appointment

By News

The Central Bank of Ireland has today announced the appointment of Elaine Byrne as the new Registrar of Credit Unions (CBI press release available here.)

CUDA CEO, Kevin Johnson stated ‘We have had the pleasure of working with Elaine in her role as Deputy Registrar for the past 16 years.  In congratulating Elaine on her appointment we very much look forward to a constructive and positive engagement with her and her team.  Elaine takes on the important role of Registrar at an incredibly busy time for credit union regulation, an agenda that includes implementation of the outcomes from the Credit Union Policy Review, role of CUs in the Consumer Protection Code review, impacts of the Individual Accountability Framework, business development initiatives, role of credit unions in the Retail Banking Review, various EU / EBA directives as well as our ongoing work on capital and liquidity requirements for credit unions.

 

Credit unions simply the best as they top annual rankings for eighth year in a row

By News

Following the announcement today by the CX Company of their annual Customer Experience survey, carried out on their behalf by Amárach Research, Kevin Johnson, CEO of the Credit Union Development Association (CUDA) stated …”It is a remarkable achievement for credit unions to maintain their position in the number one spot for an amazing eighth year. Credit unions have topped the poll every year since the CX Company survey started back in 2015.

Membership has grown consistently over that period and the credit union brand remains the most trusted in Ireland as they continue to deliver the best consumer experience in the country.  Credit Unions have significantly modernised in the past decade – their governance, product offerings, and service delivery methods have advanced considerably.  Members can still access the traditional set of personal loans and savings, and now they have mortgages, current accounts, ‘one stop shop’ retrofit loans, revolving credit, community loans, agri loans and loans for small businesses.  These are accessible face to face, over the phone or via online facilities.

Credit Unions excel in Customer experience and the CX framework is a useful way of measuring what is embedded in their DNA. So it’s not just the member-engaging staff, it’s the teams that support these staff and the great culture that’s driven from the volunteer Boards of Directors.”

Just 6% believe banks will retain cash services “indefinitely”

By News

Majority believe that buck stops with Government and Central Bank for cash-banking in local communities

 Despite the public and political backlash to the recent attempts at branch closures and the withdraw of cash services by AIB, the vast majority of people believe that it’s only a matter of time before local banking services, including cash, are significantly curtailed.

A new survey, commissioned by Credit Union Development Association (CUDA) and undertaken by iReach, reveals that as many as 60% anticipate that cash services in banks will be removed in time, with just 6% believing banks will retain these services indefinitely.

The survey of 1,000 people nationwide also found that over half (56%) believe that the responsibility to retain cash services should be centrally positioned in the hands of the Government and/or the Central Bank.

Kevin Johnson, CEO of CUDA spoke of the findings,

“It seems that many people feel we are on borrowed time in terms of the rollout of digital banking and the withdrawal of face-to-face banking services, with 60% of respondents feeling that AIB’s decision to retain cash services is only temporary.

Just 6% of respondents believe that cash services as they currently exist will survive indefinitely, with a further 15% feeling that while they believe cash services will be retained, we will have to pay a lot more for them.

It is very much a sign of the times we are in, and the shift to digital banking, that one of the fundamental purposes of the banking system as we know it – namely the circulation of cash – is under threat of becoming redundant. There are many sides to the argument – some people will argue that digital is the way forward and a cashless society is the next logical step. Others will maintain that a solely digital-based banking system would only serve a certain sector of society, would skip a large swathe of people who don’t have the requisite skillset to adopt it, and leave the economy over- exposed to a major cyber-attack.”

Recent statistics from Eurostat1 found that there are 275,000 people in Ireland over the age of 65 who are not using the internet.

Mr Johnson commented,

“That’s a hugely significant demographic and sector of our society. Most of these people require access to banking services and expressly, to cash banking services and a walk-in branch. The prospect of national banking service providers orientating their business development in such a way as to potentially disempower over a quarter of a million people requires serious consideration at Government level, and requires policy making that mitigates such negative societal impacts and detriment – particularly for older consumers.”

The CUDA survey also questioned respondents as to who they feel responsibility to ensure that local communities retain access to cash-banking should fall to, with a third believing that it should remain the responsibilities of the banks to retain services.

 

 

 

Mr Johnson continued,

“Here we see that the majority (56%) believe that the buck stops with the Government and the Central Bank to ensure that people have access to cash banking services in their local communities. A further 30% believe that it’s up to the banks to ensure that local communities have such services.

These numbers are even more extreme amongst KBC and Ulster bank customers, with just 17% believing that it’s up to the banks and 72% saying that it’s up to Government and the Central bank to sort this issue.”

Mr Johnson concluded,

“The retention of cash services in local communities is critical and is a national issue that needs forward-looking centralised planning. In this regard, Credit unions would be happy to support the Government in developing a solid solution to ensure that consumers current and future needs are met.”

 

 

1 Eurostat: Individuals’ level of digital skills (until 2019) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ISOC_SK_DSKL_I/default/table?lang=en

 

ENDS

Note to the Editor

CUDA

CUDA, the Credit Union Development Association, was legally incorporated in 2003. In its early days, it acted as the representative voice for owner member Credit Unions, with legislators and regulators. The organisation has since evolved and in addition to providing a ‘voice’, has become increasingly engaged in providing support facilities in the areas of regulatory compliance, risk management, shared services and competency development.

CUDA is a Credit Union owned network that enables member Credit Unions to engage in beneficial activities which would not have proved possible to do as single stand-alone entities.

It manages the diverse interests of members to the mutual benefit of the network. In acting as a catalyst for the growth and development of Credit Unions, CUDA now makes many of its support services available to all Credit Unions.

 

 

Appendix

  1. AIB recently announced plans to remove cash services from 70 of its branches throughout the country. It has since reversed this decision following backlash from the public and Government.

Do you believe this reversal is:

  • Permanent – they will retain cash services indefinitely 6%
  • Permanent – they will retain cash services indefinitely but will increase their charges for cash transactions 15%
  • Temporary – they will remove cash services in time 60%
  • I don’t know 19%

 

  1. In your opinion, whose responsibility is it to ensure that local communities have access to cash-banking?
  • The banks– they should look after their customers 30%
  • The Government – to ensure that banks or an alternative provides this service 28%
  • The Central Bank – to ensure that banks or an alternative provides this service 28%
  • Nobody – we just have to move with the times 13%

 

 

 

Credit Union bodies welcome engagement with Minister Fleming on proposals contained in Department of Finance Review of Credit Union Policy Framework

By News

The four credit union representative bodies – CUDA, CUMA, ILCU and NSF – met with Minister with responsibility for Credit Unions Seán Fleming and officials from the Department of Finance today, Thursday 10th March. At the meeting the Minister outlined a list of proposals contained in his Review of the Credit Union Policy Framework.

The proposals were summarised under five key objectives;

  • Objective 1: Recognition of Role of Credit Unions
  • Objective 2: Supporting Investment in Collaboration
  • Objective 3: Supporting Governance
  • Objective 4: Improving Member Services
  • Objective 5: Transparency of Regulatory Engagement

Minister Fleming spoke about the importance of credit unions growing their loan books and proposed a number of measures to assist credit unions in this regard. In particular, he proposed bringing forward legislation to enable credit unions to invest more easily in Credit Union Service Organisations (CUSOs). This would allow credit unions to pool their resources in delivering new loan products to their members such as mortgages and small business loans.  They will also be enabled to establish Corporate Credit Unions to facilitate mechanisms such as a central liquidity system.

The Minister also proposed a number of measures to allow credit unions to introduce members to another credit union where the referring credit union was unable to provide a certain loan product or service. He also proposed legislative change to allow credit unions to share a larger loan between them.

In relation to Governance, Minister Fleming recognised the important role volunteers play within credit unions, and has proposed that this be included in legislation. Further proposals would reduce the work load on volunteer Directors and Board Oversight Committees in the future.

Also included in the measures outlined by the Minister were proposals aimed at making regulatory engagement with credit unions more transparent through the establishment of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between credit unions and the Central Bank.

Responding to the Minister’s proposals, the four representative bodies welcomed the opportunities for lending for credit unions. However, there was general consensus that the proposals do not go far enough in addressing the key area of regulatory engagement. They recommend strengthened formalised structures that would include the four bodies, the Central Bank and the Department of Finance. This key infrastructure would serve to identify existing barriers to lending and prevent future impediments to progress and service to members and communities. The bodies believe that further engagement in this area is needed.

CUDA Welcomes Government Announcement on Home Energy Upgrades

By News

Welcoming the announcement by Government today, Tuesday 8th February, in relation to Home Energy Upgrades,  Kevin Johnson, CUDA (Credit Union Development Association) said:

“This is a fantastic development for the homeowner and not ahead of time. The grants are designed to support “one stop shops” for homeowners, which is exactly what is needed. CUDA along with its partner Retrofit Energy Ireland (‘REIL’) were first to introduce this grant format to the retrofit market back in 2019, and the high demand from homeowners was immediately evident.

The grant, coupled with the access to finance, the savings that will be made, and the provision of retrofit experts all in one place takes the concern and reticence away from homeowners who are keen to make their home more energy efficient.

We are glad to see the Government are taking a long-term approach to this, with a commitment to fund the schemes over the next decade – this is something we have been campaigning for several years now. ”

Pro Energy Home Scheme was piloted by CUDA in 2019

“From dealing with members, credit unions have become increasingly conscious that many struggle to improve the energy rating of their home and successfully apply for the available grants. It became abundantly apparent that a simple end to end service model was badly needed. The ProEnergy Homes Scheme was piloted by CUDA in 2019, and rolled out on a limited basis during that summer. It was quickly oversubscribed. Demand from credit union members through the initial 25 participating credit unions generated over 1,100 enquiries from credit union members over a short space of time.

The initiative took all the “leg-work” away from the homeowner. All they had to do was fill out an application form, after which REIL will conduct an assessment on their property and present them with a report. As the trusted provider of financial services in communities throughout Ireland, credit unions are uniquely positioned to support the delivery of a one-stop-shop model for home energy retrofits. Credit unions have advanced tens of thousands of members with home improvement finance over the past year and increasingly, achieving a warmer and more efficient home is top of the agenda for our members. ”

Further information on the ProEnergy Homes Scheme can be found here