The overall balance sheet of Irish credit unions continues to grow despite a steady decline in branch numbers, with total sector assets growing by 5% last year to €22.5bn. The report also showed robust lending in the year, with new loans issued in 2025 remaining unchanged at €3.3bn. Of those still operating, 71 credit unions had total assets greater than €100m, representing 76% of the sector's total assets. The report also noted a continued improvement in the credit union's sector average cost-income ratio, which stood at 71.5% for September 2025. Commenting on the report, registrar of credit unions Elaine Byrne said: “Targeted but significant changes introduced to the regulatory lending framework for credit unions provide credit unions with increased scope to provide house and business lending to members.

Source: Irish Examiner April 08, 2026 11:03 UTC