Millstreet Credit Union reaches golden milestone
FROM humble beginnings in 1968, Millstreet Credit Union has experienced a meteoric rise that reaches a special birthday on celebrating its 50th Anniversary this Friday night.
And to mark the milestone, Manager Bridget Fitzgerald and staff invite members and friends to a series of events in the locality. Proceedings open with Mass in St Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm followed by the unveiling of a plaque by two founding members, Der and Ted Kiely, at its base. Thereafter, the public are extended a welcome to a reception in the Wallis Arms Hotel where a history of Millstreet Parish Credit Union will be launched.
It all began when a study group was formed in 1968 to examine the feasibility of launching a credit union in Millstreet Parish – the group consisted of Fr Denis Quirke CC. RIP, Nicholas Coady RIP, Ted O’Hanlon RIP, Der Kiely and Ted Kiely. Following a number of meetings in the Carnegie Hall, the unit was affiliated with the Irish League of Credit Unions
Wallis Arms Hotel proprietor Nora Meredith RIP kindly agreed to rent to the credit union the use of one room and a large corridor upstairs. Subsequently, a decision was made by the board of directors to obtain a more suitable premises, a new home in Church Street was opened in 1974.
To meet growing demand of its facilities, Millstreet Parish Credit Union moved on to a new spacious offices at their current home in the Town Square in October, 2005.
New initiatives surfaced over the years including mandatory training of all directors, supervisors and staff on an on-going basis in addition to a major IT investment that offers online banking and electronic transfers to a dedicated website.
The board of directors of the credit union began the process of meeting with other credit unions with a view to joining forces, sharing costs and introducing new services. It led to the eventual transfer of engagements to Mallow Credit Union Limited who share a similar ethos and loyalty to members.
Two years ago, Millstreet Parish Credit Union Limited completed the process of transferring engagements to Mallow Credit Union Limited, Millstreet opening its doors in a new partnership.