Enniscorthy credit union continues to provide local, accessbile financial services

ON OCTOBER 20, 2016, Enniscorthy Credit Union will join 57,000 credit unions from around the world to celebrate International Credit Union Day, an annual event which celebrates the important role and contribution that financial cooperatives play in the local communities in which they serve.

To celebrate this special day, Enniscorthy Credit Union is hosting a coffee morning in Abbey Square, Taghmon and Murrintown offices from 10.00 to 12.30, holding a raffle for members and a draw on our Facebook page.

International Credit Union Day has been celebrated annually since 1948 in October. The international event affords credit unions across Ireland the opportunity to remember credit unions’ proud history and promote awareness of and support for the credit union difference.

This year’s theme, “The Authentic Difference” celebrates what makes credit unions truly different. Credit unions are not-forprofit financial cooperatives that provide an effective and viable alternative to for-profit financial institutions for over 217 million members in 105 countries worldwide.

Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions exist to serve their members, providing a great place to save money and access affordable loans. In our area, Enniscorthy Credit Unions serves over 30,000 members, who have savings worth more than €135 million in the credit union. In the past year alone Enniscorthy Credit Union has provided over €15 million in loans within the community.

Speaking about International Credit Union Day, Joe Busher Manager at Enniscorthy Credit Union said: “The Credit Union Movement only came to Ireland in

1958 but it tapped into the co-operative spirit in communities all over the country. It’s a worldwide phenomenon that just keeps on growing … which is a real cause for international celebration!

It is a unique people-centred service to meet the unique needs of ordinary people. Anyone can join a credit union - one of the differences from opening a bank account is that you become a member – and not just a number. This theme honours credit unions’ mission to put people before profit. All credit unions share a common goal to offer access to affordable financial services to all their members and provide even the most financially disadvantaged the tools and the opportunities to be financially self-sufficient. This is the credit union difference that makes a real impact”.