SEPA Payments

SEPA Payments

This weekend, 15th to 17th March 2024, the European SEPA Payment Schemes will undergo a planned maintenance which may cause delays in processing payments.

This means that any payments made Friday 15th March may not reach the intended beneficiary until Monday 18th March.

As a result, if you want funds to reach an account by Friday, we advise you to make a payment by Thursday 14th March to ensure that the beneficiary account is credited on Friday.

Please note, you will have full online access as usual during this period. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Credit Union Quarterly results show exceptionally strong lending performance

Credit Union Quarterly results show exceptionally strong lending performance

The Irish League of Credit Unions, on behalf of its affiliated credit unions, has released Q1 2023/24 quarterly performance results on behalf of its affiliated credit unions in ROI.

The results for the quarter (October to December 2023) highlight a continued upward growth trajectory in loans, with a significant increase in mortgages and business loans. Arrears remain close to all-time lows.

Commenting on the report, ILCU CEO David Malone said
“Credit unions delivered over 110,000 loans in the quarter which is over 8,000 loans per week. To put that into context that’s €631 million per quarter of lending to people or over €48 million per week. What these latest quarterly results show is that not only are people availing of credit union services but that there is a growing pipeline of demand for loans which our members are ready to facilitate.

He continued, “Looking to the future and building on this continued growth, the Central Bank’s review of the lending framework is crucial. This is in the context of the dramatic increase in mortgage lending as changes are needed to meet customer demand, increase flexibility, allow credit unions compete on a level playing field and provide real competition in mortgages and business lending. We have engaged with the Central Bank on its lending review but are now looking for targeted changes to allow more choice for consumers and to reduce the dominance of the retail banks. The changes we are looking for will allow more mortgages, remove crisis era restrictions and allow more business loans thereby enhancing competition in a safe and prudent manner”.

Job Vacancy – Teller/Member Service Officer

Job Vacancy – Teller/Member Service Officer

Mulcair Credit Union currently has a vacancy for the position of Teller/Member Services Officer.

Mulcair Credit Union is seeking applications from self-motivated individuals who want to be part of a growing organisation. Applicants should be committed to achieving high standards and have a flexible approach to work.

General Scope of the Role

The successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out a range of administrative and operational activities that contribute to the effective running of the credit union.

Both full-time and part-time positions available.

Main Purpose of the Role

The position will require assisting members with all aspects of Credit Union Business while working as part of a team to provide administration and support in dealing with:

  • Delivering an excellent member service across multiple delivery channels including in person, over the telephone and online.
  • Explaining products and services offered by Mulcair Credit Union to current and potential members.
  • Processing member transactions including lodgements, withdrawals and transfers, opening accounts and re-activation.
  • Issuing member loans and ensuring that the loan conditions are satisfied.
  • Deal with and resolve member queries.
  • Accurately and diligently handle cash, reconcile balances and account for any shortfalls/excess.
  • Operate within the risk and compliance frameworks to ensure adherence to all regulatory AML requirements policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Excellent attention to detail and administration skills.
  • Experience working in a role within a credit union or similar financial institution ideal, but not essential as full training will be provided.
  • Excellent customer service, interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Strong teamwork ability.
  • Ability to use discretion and sensitivity in dealing with members.
  • Ability to make decisions and take responsibility.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the ethos of Credit Unions.
  • QFA/CUA, relevant diploma or degree ideal but not essential, minimum leaving certificate required.

How to apply:

Please forward a covering letter and CV to patrickkett@mulcaircu.ie , applicants should clearly state the role they are applying for.

Short listing may apply, and assessment will be based on the information provided in the application.

Mulcair Credit Union Limited is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

ALERT! Fighting Festive Fraud on Black Friday

ALERT! Fighting Festive Fraud on Black Friday

12 tips for Fighting Fraud this Festive Season: Be Informed, Be Alert, Be Secure – Be FraudSMART

As we approach the festive season, FraudSMART is here to ensure your safety. Both consumers and businesses need to be vigilant against frauds and scams during this busy time.

Everyone is a target especially with the increasing complexity of frauds and scams and during the festive season when we’re all busy enjoying this time of year. Fraudsters target us through various channels, including emails, social media, and phone calls.

Here are 12 essential tips to help you stay safe: 

  1. Never click on unsolicited links in texts or emails.
  2. Avoid public Wi-Fi for online purchases; use a secure connection.
  3. Keep your computer’s security up to date with reliable antivirus and browser software.
  4. Shop directly from trusted retailers’ websites. 
  5. Be cautious of unbelievable deals or miracle products.
  6. Use reputable payment suppliers or Verified by VISA/Mastercard Secure Code.
  7. Watch out for fake calls from your bank or utility companies.
  8. Purchase tickets from secure and reputable websites.
  9. Limit personal information sharing on social media. 
  10. Avoid saving passwords on your mobile device unless necessary, and protect your phone with a passcode.
  11. Your bank will never ask for your full PIN or online banking passwords. If in doubt, call your bank using the number on your card.
  12. Report any suspected fraud to your bank immediately.

Stay safe and enjoy the festive season without falling victim to scams. Be vigilant and share these tips with your loved ones to help protect them as well.

Wishing you a secure and joyful holiday season.

Credit Unions named champions for Customer Experience for unprecedented 9th consecutive year

Credit Unions named champions for Customer Experience for unprecedented 9th consecutive year

For an unprecedented ninth year running, credit unions have once again topped the league table for the best customer experience in Ireland according to the Customer Experience Insight (CXi) Report for 2023. Not only did credit unions beat 149 other organisations to retain this top position, they also further improved their already winning CX score, widening the customer experience gap between them and their rivals to achieve the highest score ever seen in the CXi Ireland survey.

Report author and CEO of The CX Company Cathy Summers said the main reason credit unions are so successful at delivering customer experience excellence on a consistent basis is because they are embedded in the community and focused on driving change to meet their customers’ needs rather than just driving change to make their organisation more efficient.

Summers said their CX record means credit unions are well placed to further compete with the banks for more complex products as well as the more
traditional financial offering.  Commenting on the announcement, David Malone, CEO of the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) said that the ILCU was delighted to see the customer experience from credit unions topping the standard for companies in Ireland.

“This unprecedented ninth win is recognition of the dedication and hard work of credit union staff and volunteer directors across Ireland. Their relentless focus is always on being there for our members, for communities and uniquely when compared with our competitors, on being not-for-profit.

The credit union social ethos allows us to focus solely on how to best deliver for our existing and potential new members. This means we continue to offer a face-to-face customer experience in over 400 community locations where our 3,000 expert staff and 3,000 directors provide a professional service and essential financial supports to their members. On top of that our customers who wish to engage with us through the ever-growing credit union digital offering can choose to do so at their convenience.”

The Customer Experience Insight (CXi) Report is published annually by the CX Company based on a survey carried out on their behalf by Amárach Research. Over 29,640 experiences were evaluated using The CX Framework and performance under six key Emotional Drivers. In addition, companies were evaluated on the basis of value, affordability, willingness to pay more for a better experience, preferred channels of interaction, loyalty, whether the experience has improved and how important employees are to the customer experience.