Credit unions pledge to serve small communities

CREDIT unions will provide financial services to areas from which commercial banks have departed, the new president of the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU), Anne O’Byrne, pledged yesterday.

“There have been fears that some small credit unions may be closed, or joined with bigger credit unions, but there’s a greater need than ever for credit unions in small communities from which banks have withdrawn. We’re staying in such communities and disadvantaged areas,” she said.

Ms O’Byrne, who was ILCU vice-president and is from Blessington, Co Wicklow, is the first woman to become president since the movement was founded here 47 years ago.