Dazzling achievements for Longford Credit Union members throughout the year

As we close out the year, it’s time to reflect on the remarkable journey of Affinity Credit Union over the past year and cast an eye toward the promising horizon of 2026.

Affinity Credit Union’s mission is to deliver to members best of service, through its core offerings with value-up-front, low-cost loans and better returns on savings.

The aim is to deliver its better-value services on a sustainable and ongoing basis. Financial Year 2025 has again seen delivery on these objectives.

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2025: Dazzling Achievements
Affinity Credit Union was able to offer its members in Ballymahon and surrounding areas loans with an interest rate as low as 3.83%. The average interest rate on loans issued by Affinity during the year was 5.86%, making it one of the lowest charging credit unions in Ireland.

The mission to deliver better value was extended to savings with a dazzling dividend rate of 0.75% agreed at AGM 2025 and returned to members saving with Affinity Credit Union. This is one of the best credit union dividend rates on offer and very competitive with banks' rates for on-demand savings.

During the year, to support members in achieving their financial goals, the savings cap was raised allowing members to save up to €100,000 with Affinity. In addition, to help members who may struggle with impulsive withdrawals, Affinity Credit Union introduced an ‘Offline Savings’ product where members can save out of sight, building their savings and their financial resilience.

Affinity Credit Union also made significant progress in member access and member service during 2025. The Ballymahon branch received a face lift, with new signage, to welcome members looking for person-to-person service. Affinity’s already impressive range of online services improved over the year with the introduction of instant inter-bank transfers through SEPA Instant. Members can now send and receive instant transfers from their Affinity Credit Union accounts to any account within the SEPA region.

These improved and better-value services and offerings have been achieved while Affinity continues to hold robust reserves and assets now exceeding €100 million.

2026: An Exciting New Chapter
As Affinity Credit Union enters the new year, with a new CEO at the helm, an exciting new chapter unfolds focused on further enhancing service delivery and expanding product offerings, with developments centered on member access, member service and better value for members.

A major expansion of services is slated for the new year, including the roll out of new insurance products such as car, home, life and travel insurance. A significant update on the Affinity Credit Union mobile app is to be released to members early in the new year, which promises to deliver a better user experience, and even greater functionality and control to members over their accounts. Additionally, Affinity plans to introduce a mortgage offering in the second half of Financial Year 2026.

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Jim Healy, CEO, said, “There are many priorities for the coming year and at the heart of Affinity’s strategy are the values of access to financial services for all, member service, and Value-Up-Front. Members can and will obtain better-value loan rates and better-value savings rates with us, conveniently online on a 24/7 basis and also enjoy face-to-face interaction with our wonderful staff. Affinity Credit Union will continue to invest in our staff, our premises and our digital and electronic facilities.”

Affinity Credit Union is open to membership to those living, working or studying within Ballymahon and surrounding areas.