Derry Credit Union celebrates International Credit Union Day 2023

Derry Credit Union will be joining credit union members around the world to celebrate International Credit Union Day (ICU Day).

This year marks the 75th anniversary of ICU day where credit unions around the world reflect on the movement's history, promote its achievements, recognise its hard work and share member experiences.

To ensure the maximum number of people can participate, Derry Credit Union will be holding a Fun Day on Saturday, October 21 from 9.00am to 2.00pm in its offices on Abbey Street. Everyone is welcome and children must be accompanied by an adult.

This year, to support the ICU theme of “Celebrating the spirit of the global credit union movement”, credit unions across Ireland will be showcasing how they are “For You, For Community”.

Credit unions such as Derry Credit Union are there for their members and communities to assist them to build and maintain a brighter financial future for themselves and their families.

Credit unions are unique in the financial sector as not-for-profit financial co-operatives owned by, and operated for, the benefit of members they serve. Strong credit unions make strong communities. Credit unions genuinely care about their members and put them at the heart of everything they do.

At a time when bank branches continue to close in cities, towns and villages, credit unions are committed to maintaining their services within their local communities, and offering that personal, face-to-face service as well as access to digital channels.

This is why Derry Credit Union merged with Claudy Credit Union: to ensure that the people of Claudy, Park, Feeney and surrounding areas continued to have access to financial services at a time when all other financial service providers were closing.

To mark ICU Day, Derry Credit Union is inviting its members and the local community to a Fun Day at its offices on Abbey Street on Saturday, October 21. From interactive activities for the little ones like a kids farm and face-painting, to entertainment by Momentum Choir and Irish dancers. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council will be in attendance to meet and greet those in attendance and sweet treats, buns, tea and coffee will be served.

Colm McCauley, President of Credit Union, said: “Our members and community are our backbone and we are so proud here at Derry Credit Union of the part we play in sustaining that community. We genuinely care about our members and put them at the heart of everything we do.

"Our goal is to remain a cornerstone of our community by continuing to go above and beyond for our members. With the impact of the cost-of-living crisis becoming more and more challenging, credit unions remain vital and accessible providers of affordable and ethical financial services across the country. Our doors here at Derry Credit Union are always open.

"We believe that Derry Credit Union makes a real, positive impact on the lives of people in the BT47 and BT48 post codes areas and we want to remind people that we are here to help with their personal financial needs.

"We are the only credit union in the Northwest to offer SIX LOAN TYPES at attractive rates of interest starting with our Covered by Shares Loan at 6.43% APR. Unlike the ‘representative rates’ offered by other lenders, the rate we advertise is the rate you get; and interest on a credit union loan is charged on the reducing loan balance.

"Before signing for a loan with anyone else, ask us for a quote. You will be pleasantly surprised! We also offer three convenient ways to apply: in our office with a friendly member of staff, online with our fully digital online service, and via the telephone with our Phone A Loan Service.

"Further information on our loan products and how to apply is available at www.derrycu.com. We look forward to celebrating with our members, and indeed the whole community, on ICU Day.”

Derry Credit Union has been proudly serving the Derry City and surrounding areas for 63 years. Derry Credit Union has a membership of over 39,500. Since 1960 we have lent £678,000,000 to members, and in the past year alone, provided £20,000,000 in loans to our members to spend in our local community.