CREDIT UNIONS AGM BELFAST 2011
'Strength in Unity'
This weekend over 4,000 representatives, including 1,500 delegates from 498 credit unions all over Ireland – north and south are meeting at Belfast’s Waterfront for the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) Annual General Meeting. The conference is reviewing strategies to further the development of the credit union movement in Ireland in 2011 and beyond.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness addressed delegates at the opening of the conference speaking about the contribution the credit union movement in Ireland, North and South, has made to the wider economy; the culture of ‘community’ in the credit union sector and vital role that the credit unions play in providing access to affordable credit.
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Pat Convery welcomed the ILCU to Belfast Waterfront commenting on the numbers that had travelled for this important event. Later that afternoon, to mark the European Year of the Volunteer Mickey Harte, GAA personality and motivational speaker addressed the delegates on the importance of volunteering and community solidarity.
Credit union staff and volunteers have gathered for two days of meetings to discuss the future plans of the credit union movement. The conference will address the challenges and opportunities facing credit unions in a rapidly changing economic and social environment.
The theme of this year’s AGM is “Strength in Unity” which reflects the ethos of the credit union and their unique all-island, cross border status. Discussions will focus on how to provide more enhanced, efficient services to member’s who are struggling as a result of the economic downturn.
Kieron Brennan, ILCU CEO said: “This is a very important time for the credit union sector. We are operating in a vastly different economic landscape and credit unions are aware of the need to continually look at new ways in which to best serve their members. The credit union movement recognises that change will be necessary. We now need to embrace new regulations, not as restrictions to practice, but as prudent principles which will ensure the long term stability and security of credit unions.
We welcome recommendations in relation to the most effective regulatory structure for credit unions taking into account our not for profit mandate, volunteer ethos and community focus, while paying due regard to the need to fully protect members’ savings and financial stability and our need to serve our members in the most efficient way possible.”
ILCU President Mark Bailey said: “Credit unions have not been immune to the current financial crisis and when our members suffer, we suffer. However, we have weathered the financial storm well, increased our membership and continue to serve local communities across the country as we have done for over 50 years. The vastly different financial services landscape in which we are now operating, offers great opportunity for the credit union movement. This is a very important time for us.
We are very pleased to welcome Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, Councillor Pat Convery and Mickey Harte to the AGM this year. I am certain that their attendance will prove informative and productive in terms of their outlook for the future of credit unions.”This weekend over 4,000 representatives, including 1,500 delegates from 498 credit unions all over Ireland – north and south are meeting at Belfast’s Waterfront for the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) Annual General Meeting. The conference is reviewing strategies to further the development of the credit union movement in Ireland in 2011 and beyond.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness addressed delegates at the opening of the conference speaking about the contribution the credit union movement in Ireland, North and South, has made to the wider economy; the culture of ‘community’ in the credit union sector and vital role that the credit unions play in providing access to affordable credit.
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Pat Convery welcomed the ILCU to Belfast Waterfront commenting on the numbers that had travelled for this important event. Later that afternoon, to mark the European Year of the Volunteer Mickey Harte, GAA personality and motivational speaker addressed the delegates on the importance of volunteering and community solidarity.
Credit union staff and volunteers have gathered for two days of meetings to discuss the future plans of the credit union movement. The conference will address the challenges and opportunities facing credit unions in a rapidly changing economic and social environment.
The theme of this year’s AGM is “Strength in Unity” which reflects the ethos of the credit union and their unique all-island, cross border status. Discussions will focus on how to provide more enhanced, efficient services to member’s who are struggling as a result of the economic downturn.
Kieron Brennan, ILCU CEO said: “This is a very important time for the credit union sector. We are operating in a vastly different economic landscape and credit unions are aware of the need to continually look at new ways in which to best serve their members. The credit union movement recognises that change will be necessary. We now need to embrace new regulations, not as restrictions to practice, but as prudent principles which will ensure the long term stability and security of credit unions.
We welcome recommendations in relation to the most effective regulatory structure for credit unions taking into account our not for profit mandate, volunteer ethos and community focus, while paying due regard to the need to fully protect members’ savings and financial stability and our need to serve our members in the most efficient way possible.”
ILCU President Mark Bailey said: “Credit unions have not been immune to the current financial crisis and when our members suffer, we suffer. However, we have weathered the financial storm well, increased our membership and continue to serve local communities across the country as we have done for over 50 years. The vastly different financial services landscape in which we are now operating, offers great opportunity for the credit union movement. This is a very important time for us.
We are very pleased to welcome Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, Councillor Pat Convery and Mickey Harte to the AGM this year. I am certain that their attendance will prove informative and productive in terms of their outlook for the future of credit unions.”
Download a copy of the Presidents Speech below: