Credit Union’s new home!
SLIGO Credit Union has bought the former Clarence Hotel to turn into its new home. The price was not disclosed but the building which was home in the past to a bar/restaurant and a nightclub had been on the market with an asking price of €375,000.
For the past three years, the Board of Directors and Management have been looking for a suitable building to accommodate its increasing membership which now stands at over 20,000.
Sligo Credit Union’s Chairman, Peter Smith, said they will now move forward with plans to renovate the building with a view to moving all its operations there in the coming year.
“Our aim will be to continue to provide the type of personal service that has made Credit Unions the most trusted brand in Ireland for several consecutive years.
“Due to increasing membership and in particular the increase in the number of members who have chosen to borrow from their ir Credit Union, our present offices in Stephen Street had become a victim of its own success.
“We look forward to a busy number of months ahead in putting plans together that will ensure our new premises meets our members expectations.”
CEO of Sligo Credit Union, Barry O’Flynn, paid tribute to the management and staff whom he says “continue to provide a level of personal service to its members that very much reflects the ideals that its founders envisaged over 50 years ago.
“In a financial world that is increasingly heavily regulated, it is refreshing to see that basic kindness and courtesy is evident each day in the way our staff serve our members.
“The new building has the space we require to continue to deliver this type of service to all our members.
“We always want our members to be able to call in to us and talk in person with a staff mem- ber be – not to direct them to 1-800 phone number or a call centrecentre.” ”
Sligo Credit Union manages assets of in excess of €75 million and lends approximately €1.5 million in to the local economy each month.
Chairman of the Board Oversight Committee, Michael Giblin, added the new building would continue to allow its members access to loans and savings services in the way people want. “If one of our young members wants to come in with coins to add to their savings account, it’s a pleasure to be able to say that we’re delighted you came in to us and it’s not a problem.
“Likewise, we’re as happy to do a loan to a member for €500 for a family purpose as we are a loan for €50,000 for home improvements.”
Sligo Credit Union provides full on-line funds transfer for members and is progressing a full debit card facility for members.
Deputy Manager, Orla Lee, said that its 5,000 members who viewed their accounts on-line now had access to be able to transfer funds to their own, their family members or creditors accounts with same or next day value.
“The introduction of a debit card in the near future will finally allow our members real choice over where they conduct their financial affairs with a Credit Union that is fully focused on its members,” she said.